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In Stockholm, libraries and toilets are open, despite stricter advice to stop the growing spread of the coronavirus. In Gothenburg, gyms, bathhouses and ice rinks are closing to the public, but libraries remain open.
Municipal libraries and public baths are closed in Norrköping and Lidköping, but not in Stockholm and Gothenburg. Stock Photography.
“Refrain from staying in indoor environments such as museums, libraries, bathrooms and gyms.”
This is one of the strictest general guidelines for adult residents in Västra Götaland, Östergötland and Stockholm County, which was announced by the Swedish Public Health Agency on Thursday.
During Friday, the city councils have had to decide how the activities are affected by the city councils. And the interpretations differ.
In Norrköping and Linköping in Östergötland, municipal libraries, museums and bathhouses are closing to the public.
– We think it is logical and consistent to do so because the Swedish Public Health Agency advises the public not to visit these activities, says Norrköping City Manager Martin Andreae.
Stockholm city another evaluation and keeps libraries and restrooms open. In Botkyrka, the toilets are close to the public, but the libraries are open. In the neighboring municipality of Huddinge, all activities are still open, but with stricter requests for visitors to keep their distance.
– The general advice is not that we should close our business, they should be open. However, it is clear that you should not visit them if it is not necessary. If you do that, you should think about keeping your distance, says Huddinge City Manager Camilla Broo.
The city of Gothenburg closes the municipal gyms, bathhouses and ice rinks to the public. The facilities are kept open for association activities.
– It is also part of the municipalities, that children and young people can continue with their training and activity, says the municipal councilor Elisabet Lann (KD), president of the sports and association committee.
TT: Why do you close to the public?
– We believe that it is important to be open to associative life as well as to children and young people. Then there will be a double message if the authorities come out and urge everyone to refrain from going to these places, and if we as a municipality are open. It will be a scattered communication from public to public, Lann says.
City officials in the cultural administration makes a different assessment. Libraries and museums remain open, but adapt to new advice to avoid congestion.
– It has always been the city line, to keep activities open as much as possible, as long as the demand for social distancing can be maintained, says Anna Rosengren, director of the cultural administration of the city of Gothenburg and continues:
– This is how we will work until we have some other information. If, for example, the Swedish Public Health Agency tightens its restrictions even more or if our local politicians make a different decision.
