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On August 20, the government tasked the Swedish Public Health Agency and the National Health and Welfare Council with reviewing the temporary restraining order. Since then, the authorities have analyzed whether the ban should be maintained or replaced by other measures. The government will be informed of the review on Tuesday.
– We make the joint assessment that reducing the spread of infection in society and the measures that have already been taken in the care of the elderly together with the new government regulations and recommendations means that the restraining order may end, he said Lena Hallengren (S) on Tuesday.
The message, on the other hand, imposes great demands on the elderly and their families to follow the guidelines of the Public Health Agency, said the Minister of Social Affairs. He urged Swedes to follow the staff’s advice and follow local guidelines for special accommodation across the country.
– We are in an ongoing pandemic. Although most things at the moment are pointing in the right direction, we may be hit by new outbreaks. We must be aware of that. It’s a risk now that we lift the ban, said Lena Hallengren (S).
At the press conference, Johan Carlson, Director General of the Swedish Public Health Agency, said that the work of limiting the spread of the infection in special housing has been a high priority. He stated that the restraining order has had a number of negative consequences for the elderly and their families. The authority’s conclusion is that the need for a blanket restraining order has now diminished.
– This evaluation is carried out in the context that the special housing has improved its working methods and routines to prevent the spread of the infection, that the knowledge about covid-19 has increased and that, therefore, the spread of the infection has drastically decreased.
When the restraining order is lifted It is important for the special housing to prepare for a flood of relatives who want to meet their relatives, said the director general of the National Board of Health and Welfare, Olivia Wigzell, who also attended the press conference.
According to Johan Carlson, regulations on special visiting hours may initially be needed to reduce pressure on housing.
– We will suggest, for example, that you initially agree with the visiting hours and the number of visitors. We believe it is important to avoid shock. It is in everyone’s interest not to have it, Johan Carlson said.
If the spread of the infection accelerates again, a new ban may become relevant, said Lena Hallengren (S).
– We are constantly prepared to take further action if necessary.
The national restraining order on nursing homes was introduced on April 1, 2020 to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Since then, the ban has been extended twice and now applies until the last of September.
