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Sweden introduces a ban on alcoholic beverages starting at 10pm next Friday after corona infection has increased dramatically within a few days. The ban applies until the end of February.
Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven during the press conference on the status of the crown in Sweden. Photo: Henrik Montgomery / TT / NTB
– This runs the risk of going dark, Löfven said when he met with the press on Wednesday together with Social Affairs Minister Lena Hallengren.
The Prime Minister believes that too many Swedes have started to relax and urges people to follow the authorities’ recommendations.
– Unfortunately, we seem to be heading into darker times when it comes to the spread of infections. All the curves go in the opposite direction, he says and warns that the situation could be like this spring.
Both emphasize the seriousness of a situation where intensive care units in hospitals are once again beginning to overflow with COVID-19 patients and testing capacity in several counties has exploded.
Two months ago, twelve people were admitted with COVID-19 in Swedish intensive care units, on November 1 the number had risen to 63 and on Tuesday to 131 people.
Swedish Minister of Social Affairs Lena Hallengren and Prime Minister Stefan Löfven emphasize the seriousness of a situation in which intensive care units in hospitals are once again beginning to be occupied by patients with covid-19 and testing capacity in several counties has exploded. Photo: Henrik Montgomery / TT / NTB
Considering various measures
This is the first time Sweden has introduced a ban on the sale of alcohol during the pandemic, and the government is considering various measures on an ongoing basis. However, the bar stop won’t be introduced until Friday, November 20, in just over a week.
– I really want to emphasize that all measures are not enough. But we think we need to reduce social contact surfaces, Hallengren says when asked if there is evidence that the bar stop will have the desired effect.
He also says that the current situation is unsustainable.
25 new kills
On the same day, in the last 24 hours, 25 new deaths related to coronary heart disease and 4,467 new cases of infection were reported in Sweden.
Earlier in the day, news also came out that Stockholm has introduced a restraining order on all nursing homes and nursing homes.
So far, 6,082 people have died in connection with the pandemic in Sweden. 166,707 people have been diagnosed with coronary heart disease.
Believed in a good fall
Just a few weeks ago, the Swedish public health authorities and the government were looking forward to the situation. State epidemiologist Anders Tegnell did not think there would be a sharp increase in infection during the fall, and several restrictions were lifted, including people over 70 who should be able to participate in social activities as before.
On Tuesday, Social Affairs Minister Hallengren appeared in SVT’s Akuellt and urged the Swedes to abide by the recommendation not to have close contact with anyone outside their own home.
He called an emergency meeting Wednesday after seven counties announced they had reached the limit of their testing capacity.
