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Gatherings of more than eight people will be banned from November 24, Stefan Lofven told reporters on Monday. According to him, an “unprecedented” response is necessary if Sweden wants to “stop the spread of the virus.”
“This is a very clear and strong signal for everyone in this country, for society as a whole, what rules should be followed from now on,” Lofven said.
Sweden was one of the few countries to escape quarantine this year, opting instead to rely on voluntary measures. However, the number of deaths in Sweden was higher than in neighboring Nordic countries. And yet the country’s government has continued to adhere to its strategy, which it claims will prove effective in the long term.
But as winter approaches and air temperatures drop, the number of new COVID-19s in the country has increased dramatically. On Monday, 150 COVID-19 patients were treated in intensive care units, six times more than in early October (although the peak seen in March-April has not yet been reached).
“We are going through a difficult year and the situation will only get worse,” Lofven said. – Don’t go to sports clubs, don’t go to libraries. Don’t invite guests to dinner, don’t throw parties. Cancel “.
The restrictions on public gatherings are introduced shortly after the Swedish authorities decided to ban the sale of alcohol after 10pm.
Sweden tried to curb the spread of the virus by urging people to avoid physical contact with people other than those with whom they live under the same roof, but those recommendations do not appear to have worked.
“Now we see a much slower adherence to the recommendations, and this is partly understandable because a lot of people are tired of this situation,” Lofven said.
So far, the Swedish economy has withstood the tests of the pandemic better than most other countries, but the current restrictions are likely to have a negative impact on the recovery. According to Bloomberg Economics, the Swedish economy is likely to contract in the fourth quarter of this year.
“The impact of the stricter recommendations and people’s fear of infection is likely to be felt throughout the winter, with a slowdown in activity in the hotel and leisure and entertainment sectors,” said Johanna Jeansson, economist at Bloomberg Economics.
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