Museums should be able to stay open with infection control rules similar to those for shops, and the current audience limit of a maximum of eight people should become more flexible, the government proposes.
– Finally, more accurate regulation, says Jeanette Gustafsdotter, Secretary General of the Swedish Museums.
According to the new proposals that Minister of Culture Amanda Lind (MP) presented during a press conference on Wednesday, museums and art galleries will be able to stay open in a more controlled manner with infection control rules similar to those that currently apply to shops.
Jeanette Gustafsdotter, Secretary General of the Swedish Museums, believes that they have been working towards this for a long time.
“When it comes to museums, they are some of the places that are safer. They have large premises and we are finally approaching a regulatory framework that is more like stores,” she says.
”I don’t want to see a sing-along without an audience”
The government is also proposing a new system for regulating public gatherings, where restrictions should be proportionate and audience limits should vary based on the risk of spreading infection.
The fort, which caught in an economic crisis during the pandemic and has been closed since November 27, is planning to open on April 1. Skansen's CEO John Brattmyhr believes that the Minister of Social Affairs and the Minister of Culture made unclear statements during the press conference.
– Lena Hallenberg seemed to be preparing a shutdown and Amanda Lind saw opportunities to open up. I hope for a regulatory framework that enables opening, he says and continues:
– Time is passing, and if we don't get clearer information soon, there won't be a concert summer in Sweden. It feels heavy, I would rather not have to relive a sing-along without an audience.
Liseberg also hopes that the new proposals will eventually mean that the amusement park can open. But the decisions have taken too long and great damage has already been done, says Liseberg's public relations officer Stefan Wern.
– It's far too late. For us, 2020 was a disaster. We have lost 97 percent of our turnover and are making a loss of 550 million kronor, he says.
From March 11
The new regulation is proposed to apply from March 11 and is now being sent for consultation until February 26. The Public Health Agency must first comment on which participation restrictions will apply to the public, and also when it may be relevant to change the ceilings.
This does not mean that all museums will be open after March 11.
– No, it's a bit too early. There has been a long period when the museums have been very vulnerable, but everyone is in the starting blocks, and those that can open do so as soon as they can. But it also depends on the infection situation where the museum is located, says Jeanette Gustafsdotter.
Source: svt.se
