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Of: TT
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Photo: Pontus Lundahl / TT
Minister of Social Affairs Lena Hallengren (S). Stock Photography.
The government wants to introduce a new law against the pandemic that gives greater powers to limit the way the public moves.
– It can be bathing places, shopping centers or public transport, says the Minister of Social Affairs Lena Hallengren (S).
Today, both the Infection Control Act and the Public Order Act are used to limit the way that people can move around and reduce the spread of infection. But the existing laws are not enough, the government believes.
– None of the legislation we have applies to all the activities that we would like to regulate during the pandemic. We need more tools in the toolbox, Lena Hallengren tells TT.
Current legislation allows the government to regulate public and public gatherings. Lena Hallengren’s hope is that the new team is in place this summer.
– The law restricts the freedom of people to move, meet other people and also the freedom of trade. Therefore, it cannot be done in a few weeks. It is important that we do it carefully and quickly, says Lena Hallengren.
Much time left
The new law must first be prepared by the government, but for it to become a reality, it must be voted on through the Riksdag.
– It is a very extensive and big job to produce a team like this, says Lena Hallengren.
When asked why this proposal comes only now, Lena Hallengren says that this pandemic has only just begun.
– We are probably not even in the middle, but we still have a long time before the pandemic ends.
As Dagens Nyheter was the first to report, the government will also investigate another long-term law that may be used in pandemics in the future.
“Straight to the point”
Tobias Billström, leader of the group of moderates in the Riksdag, believes that an anti-pandemic law “can be absolutely good.”
– Depending on how it is designed, it can be correct in essence, regulate the crowds in a more logical way. Today the crowds at soccer games and shopping malls are treated completely differently, Tobias Billström tells TT.
However, he notes that many months have passed since the pandemic broke out and that the issue of crowd regulation has been hotly debated.
– Coming now suddenly to the understanding that the law of order is not enough does not feel forward. We have had a very intense discussion on these issues and how to regulate crowds.
– But we will see what the government will present to the Riksdag, continues Tobias Billström.
C thumb down
The Center Party is not so positive. According to Anders W Jonsson, member of the Riksdag and group leader of the party in the Riksdag, this does not meet the established requirements.
– We have a very big problem because we have legislation that does not limit infection, but we need uniformity on the subject, he tells TT.
Anders W Jonsson refers to the fact that various companies with similar activities are treated differently.
Gröna Lund, which is classified as an amusement park, must not be open, while Skansen, which is called a zoo, must be open, although the activities in these two parks are almost the same, he adds.
– And preparing for it to be in place only next summer is unacceptable, says Anders W Jonsson.
Tuff situation
The public health authority writes in a message to TT that the authority has no comment.
Helena Leufstadius, CEO of Svensk Kollektivtrafik, says she fully understands that tough decisions have to be made.
– The important thing is that it is carried out in consultation with the local public transport authority, so that you have the opportunity to adapt in time. Not possible with an hour’s notice, she says.
At the same time, Leufstadius highlights the difficult situation of Swedish public transport.
– We must like the situation, but it is not a funny situation. Our industry is bleeding.
If the infection situation calls for such extensive restrictions, the government must be ready quickly to introduce greater support measures for companies in the sector, believes Svensk Handel.
“Otherwise, we run the risk that shops will be forced to close and jobs will be lost,” writes Hans Tjernström Carraro, Svensk Handel’s press director, in a message to TT.
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