With the new pandemic law, the government decided in March to give municipalities the right to issue a ban on staying in certain demarcated areas.
Vellinge municipality now sees it as an opportunity to be able to block off, for example, beaches and parking falls that would be needed.
- We do this for preventive purposes.
We must not decide on closure for preventive purposes, but only if there is congestion and that it is therefore not possible to prevent the spread of infection, says Carina Wutzler (M).
If the proposal passes, the municipal board will not be able to block larger areas.
- It should be a delimited area.
It must also be anchored with Smittskydd Skåne and the Public Health Agency, says Carina Wutzler.
"Hope we do not have to block"
Last summer, overcrowded beaches were something that the municipality struggled with.
The opportunity to block off did not exist then.
- We hope that we will not have to block off.
We try to get people to take responsibility anyway - by signposting and having summer hosts who remind you to keep your distance.
If you block off an area, is there not a risk that there will be even more people in other places then?
- Yes, therefore this should only be in an emergency.
If we see that there are a lot of people in a specific place on several occasions, we will introduce it.
Risk of a fine of SEK 2,000
Already before last summer, Vellinge municipality wanted to take action.
Then it was about being able to put up signs and have beach hosts.
This year, Wutzler believes that more measures are needed.
- Last summer was not very hot and it was usually not a big problem with the congestion on the beaches.
But some days we saw that it was too crowded and it will be so this summer we want the opportunity to fix it.
If the municipality chooses to close a place and people still stay there, the police can issue a fine of SEK 2,000.
On April 26, the final decision will be made in the City Council.