Corona: new law makes it possible to close schools
All the parties in the Riksdag agreed on the new law. It applies to preschools, schools, after-school centres and other activities according to the School Act. The aim is to be able to close schools quickly – if it’s deemed necessary to reduce the spread of covid-19.
The law also states that there must be preschools for children who have parents who are engaged in "essential public services" and for children with special needs. The government will identify which services are considered to be essential to the public.
– We are in the process of preparing a closure, just as we did before the upper secondary schools were closed, says Kenth Olsson, Head of School in Kristianstad Municipality.
The municipality expects that parents and guardians who work in healthcare, elderly care, police, childcare, water, electricity and supermarkets will be offered school and childcare. In addition, children with special needs will also be offered a place.
In Kristianstad, 14,000 children and about 25,000 parents will be affected. In total, there are 4,000 employees at 100 schools and preschools, spread out across 24 urban areas.
