Sweden to go ahead with Covid-19 rules relaxation from mid-July
Sweden will lift some of its existing Covid-19 rules from July 15th as planned, with authorities saying the development of the pandemic was going in the "right direction" – but warning of the need to follow the restrictions still in place.
State epidemiologist Anders Tegnell said that based on current developments, "we at the [Public Health] Agency have made the assessment that we can continue with the plan as it stands for July 15th".
That means, among other things, that long-distance buses and trains will be allowed to run at full capacity (currently they are limited to no more than 50 percent) and limits on people per square metres in indoor and outdoor areas such as shops and gyms will be removed.
Municipalities will also have their power to issue bans on visiting public spaces removed; previously local councils were allowed to do this in parks or bathing areas when there was a risk of crowding.
National recommendations to work from home if possible, keep a distance from others in public, and stay at home if experiencing any symptoms of Covid-19, all remain in place.
There is also no change to the limits on audiences allowed at public events, or the rules for restaurants and bars, both of which are set to be revised further in September. However, the maximum number of people who can be considered to be part of the same 'group' at an event will be raised from four to eight, with one metre's distance still required between groups.
"Step by step we are now moving towards a society free from restrictions. But for this plan to be able to continue, it requires that the pressure on the healthcare sector is kept low and that the vaccination rate continues to rise. The most important thing we can do is to follow all the rules and recommendations that are in place, and make sure we get vaccinated," said Minister of Trade and Industry Ibrahim Baylan, who represented the government at the press conference.
The Local asked if there were any plans to use Sweden's Covid-19 vaccine pass in contexts outside international travel, for example at concerts or events. Tegnell said the Public Health Agency had no plans to recommend this.
Baylan added: "It is very dependent on how the development [of the virus] goes. If we continue doing a good job and make sure to keep a distance, to get vaccinated, then we will be in a good position to open up without this type of requirement. But it is not possible to rule it out, of course."
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State epidemiologist Anders Tegnell said that based on current developments, "we at the [Public Health] Agency have made the assessment that we can continue with the plan as it stands for July 15th".
That means, among other things, that long-distance buses and trains will be allowed to run at full capacity (currently they are limited to no more than 50 percent) and limits on people per square metres in indoor and outdoor areas such as shops and gyms will be removed.
Municipalities will also have their power to issue bans on visiting public spaces removed; previously local councils were allowed to do this in parks or bathing areas when there was a risk of crowding.
National recommendations to work from home if possible, keep a distance from others in public, and stay at home if experiencing any symptoms of Covid-19, all remain in place.
There is also no change to the limits on audiences allowed at public events, or the rules for restaurants and bars, both of which are set to be revised further in September. However, the maximum number of people who can be considered to be part of the same 'group' at an event will be raised from four to eight, with one metre's distance still required between groups.
"Step by step we are now moving towards a society free from restrictions. But for this plan to be able to continue, it requires that the pressure on the healthcare sector is kept low and that the vaccination rate continues to rise. The most important thing we can do is to follow all the rules and recommendations that are in place, and make sure we get vaccinated," said Minister of Trade and Industry Ibrahim Baylan, who represented the government at the press conference.
The Local asked if there were any plans to use Sweden's Covid-19 vaccine pass in contexts outside international travel, for example at concerts or events. Tegnell said the Public Health Agency had no plans to recommend this.
Baylan added: "It is very dependent on how the development [of the virus] goes. If we continue doing a good job and make sure to keep a distance, to get vaccinated, then we will be in a good position to open up without this type of requirement. But it is not possible to rule it out, of course."
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