Museums, zoos and amusement parks are in the starting blocks to be able to open safely. Now the Public Health Agency is coming up with new rules.
If the infection situation permits, amusement parks such as Gröna Lund and Liseberg can open on April 11.
”"It's a date that we hope can work. But if the infection rate continues to be at this high level, we will of course have to revise it," says state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell.
The Swedish Public Health Agency (FHM) has sent out a series of new regulations for consultation. TT has read the consultation on which rules will apply to amusement parks, zoos, theme parks, museums and art galleries.
Just like stores and gyms, they now have to calculate the maximum number of visitors.
The rules are being developed to prevent the increased spread of COVID-19 when many people gather in a limited area. The risk of infection increases, even when it involves outdoor activities such as visiting Skansen, Kolmården or Astrid Lindgren's World.
For museums and art galleries, the maximum number will be calculated in the same way as for gyms and shops, for example. This means that each visitor must have at least 10 square meters to move around in, but there can be a maximum of 500 people in the premises at the same time.
In amusement parks, zoos, theme parks and the like, visitors must have more space. The maximum number is calculated at at least 20 square meters. This applies to both indoor and outdoor activities at the facility.
Currently, so-called permanent amusement parks such as Gröna Lund and Liseberg are not considered amusement parks in the sense of the law. However, the government has proposed that this be changed, meaning that they will no longer be subject to the eight-person limit.
FHM aims for this to come into effect on April 11, provided that the national epidemiological situation allows it.
”"The infection situation must always be taken into account. We continue to follow it. You can't just go by a date, even though we understand that these activities need a date to focus on," says Anders Tegnell.
For amusement parks and similar places, special rules will be introduced to avoid overcrowding. For example, groups should be able to get on and off rides together, groups should be able to keep a distance of at least one meter sideways, forwards and backwards from other groups on rides, and should not be placed opposite other groups. However, a requirement for a negative Covid test, as Tivoli in Copenhagen intends to do, is not proposed.
The management of Gröna Lund and Liseberg are disappointed with the proposals from FHM.
”"It is incomprehensible to us that we would have stricter restrictions than indoor activities. We do not understand the reasonableness of stores being allowed to take in 1 per 10 square meters, while outdoor amusement parks must be limited to 1 per 20 square meters," writes Gröna Lund CEO Magnus Widell in a statement.
On Friday afternoon, Liseberg and Gröna Lund will submit a coordinated analysis to respond to FHM's reasoning.
Many of these activities may also have theater, concerts or similar as part of their activities. This is regulated by the regulations on public gatherings and public events and will not change. For these activities, the maximum number of participants is still eight.
In addition, there may be restaurants and shops in the area, which are regulated by special legislation.
Detailed rules are also proposed for museums and art galleries. For example, limiting the number of people on guided tours to eight, taking measures to spread out visitors' arrival times, only granting access to visitors who have reserved a seat or purchased a ticket in advance, and taking measures to avoid spontaneous crowds.
The rules for how activities can be conducted in a safe manner are proposed to apply from March 25. The reference bodies have until March 15 to submit comments.
Source: TT
