The Swedish Agency for Government Employers is an organisation for employers in the state sector whose members are primarily public authorities. Uppsala University shares the opinion of the Swedish Agency for Government Employers; as a public authority, the University cannot demand proof of vaccination from either employees or the public.

At a press briefing on 7 December, the government presented additional infection control measures to take effect from 8 December. These measures include:

  • While higher education institutions are to continue with on-campus teaching, they are to avoid large gatherings.
  • Employers are to facilitate remote working.
  • Adults should maintain physical distance in public places.

In view of the above, the Management Council at Uppsala University is meeting on Wednesday morning to discuss the situation.

Public meetings

On an FAQ page about vaccination and the pandemic, the Swedish Agency for Government Employers gives the following answer to the question of whether a public authority can demand that participants in a seminar that is open to the public present proof of vaccination:

“The opinion of the Swedish Agency for Government Employers is that a public authority cannot demand proof of vaccination either of its employees or of the public. Any such demand is an indirect demand for an invasion of physical integrity (vaccination), which is not allowed under Swedish fundamental law. A public authority that organises an event of some kind that is open to the public and is held indoors can therefore choose either to limit the number of people to a maximum of 100, or to apply the rules of the Public Health Agency of Sweden on infection control measures for indoor public meetings and events attended by more than 100 people.”

Note that doctoral thesis defences are considered public meetings as they are open to the public. Doctoral thesis defences therefore need either to be limited to a maximum of 100 people or to follow Public Health Agency of Sweden rules for public meetings with more than 100 people.

Closed meetings

In answer to a question concerning whether a public authority can organise and invite staff to a Christmas party at which proof of vaccination will be required, the Swedish Agency for Government Employers answers:

“No, as a public authority you cannot demand that your employees present proof of vaccination in order to attend a Christmas party that you invite them to. You need to contact the company and explain that it is not possible for you to have a Christmas party at which proof of vaccination is required. The party needs to be organised without demanding proof of vaccination, but in compliance with Public Health Agency of Sweden recommendations and regulations concerning COVID-19.”