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But as cases have increased, authorities have urged people to limit social interactions to those in their home or a very small circle of friends.
STOCKHOLM – Sweden on Friday gave a U-turn to face masks, recommending that they be used on public transport at peak times, having previously resisted their use in the fight against COVID-19, except for care medical.
Announcing several new measures, Prime Minister Stefan Lofven told a press conference that the Public Health Agency now “recommends face masks and that they should be used on public transport at certain times.”
Johan Carlson, director of the Public Health Agency, at the same time emphasized that masks should not be considered a substitute for maintaining physical distance, and the recommendation was limited to situations where it was impossible.
“We don’t think it has a decisive effect, but in this specific situation it can have a positive effect,” Carlson said, adding that wearing them on the street does not appear to be significant.
In addition to the face mask recommendation, Lofven said that as of December 24, the maximum number of people allowed to share a table at a restaurant would be limited to four, and restaurants and bars would not be able to sell alcohol after 8 p.m. p.m
The country has distinguished itself from other nations by avoiding closures.
It is experiencing a strong second wave of COVID-19 and has already tried to step up preventive measures during the fall.
When asked if stricter measures were necessary, Lofven said the strategy was calibrated for the long term.
“A serious blockade would not have a long-term effect because people would not tolerate it,” Lofven told reporters.
But as cases have increased, authorities have urged people to limit social interactions to those in their home or a very small circle of friends.
However, some measures are binding, and a ban on public gatherings of more than eight people went into effect on November 24, reducing the number from 50.
The total number of deaths associated with COVID-19 in the country of about 10.3 million reached 7,993 on Friday, with more than 500 people in the last week and almost 2,000 since the beginning of November.
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