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The Swedish Public Health Agency’s recommendations will be a minimum level that can be reinforced at regional and local level, says the agency’s director-general, Johan Carlson, at a press conference with the government.
For example, it is possible to further restrict public gatherings in a particular geographic area, and local requirements for oral protection can also be issued.
– Waiting for congestion to be eliminated in certain places of public transport, for example, he says.
TT: What made you re-evaluate your vision of oral protection?
– It is not a revaluation, but we have said that it is not a sustainable long-term solution.
Areas and activities can also be blocked following a decision of the local authorities together with the Public Health Agency, as exemplified by the Minister of Social Affairs Lena Hallengren (S).
– It may be a preschool who can close an apartment, he says.
But it can also be about broader contexts.
– If you think of a very strong local outbreak, like in Gällivare but much stronger, and if you could isolate yourself from residential areas or parts of Gällivare, you can imagine a barrier to entry and exit, says Johan Carlson.
TT: What if you break this?
– It is guarded by the law of order so it is punishable.
The Swedish Public Health Agency will also shortly present new advice to people in the same household who were infected. The call is then to stay home.
– We have the highest risk of spreading the infection in the family among adults. We can have clearer rules for staying home and not just having a voluntary quarantine, says Johan Carlson.
The new proposals are a response to a government appropriation given earlier this summer. The assignment was aimed at various authorities planning possible new covid-19 outbreaks.
In the presentation, both the Swedish Public Health Agency and the Minister of Social Affairs ask for patience and long-term perspective.
– What worries me most is that people feel that this is over. That you think you no longer need to be so careful, now hand hygiene is not so important and that you like to be crowded as usual, says Lena Hallengren.
The Swedish Public Health Agency is asked how long the restrictions should be observed.
– When it comes to basic restrictions, we don’t talk about months, then we talk about years, says Johan Carlson.
Erik Nilsson / TT
