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The ban on visits to special housing will end on October 1, the government announced at a press conference on Tuesday.
– There is probably no doubt that this is highly anticipated, says Social Affairs Minister Lena Hallengren (S).
On April 1, a national ban on visiting special homes for the elderly was introduced. By then, several municipalities, such as Gothenburg, had already introduced a ban a couple of weeks ago.
– For many older people and their families, the national ban on visiting the country’s nursing homes has been one of perhaps the most difficult restrictions during the pandemic. Therefore, it was a difficult decision to make. At the same time, it was correct to introduce the ban.
Still important with routines
On August 20, the government commissioned the Swedish Public Health Agency and the National Health and Welfare Council to review whether the curfew needs to be extended. The authorities do not consider it necessary, but note that routines remain important to counteract the spread of the infection.
The Director General of the National Board of Health and Welfare Olivia Wigzell, the Minister of Social Affairs Lena Hallengren (s) and the Director General of the Swedish Public Health Agency, Johan Carlson, announced on Tuesday that the visit ban will expire. Photo: Fredrik Sandberg / TT
At the same time, Johan Carlson, Director General of the Swedish Public Health Agency, emphasizes that the situation has improved compared to when the ban was introduced.
– The spread of covid-19 in Sweden has decreased in the country’s nursing homes and in society, as well as the acute burden on medical care, which is important. Today we know more about the disease, how it spreads, and therefore the conditions for prevention and treatment have improved significantly, he says.
“He suffered from loneliness”
Lena Gustafsson, Gothenburg district president of the Swedish National Pensioners Association, believes that today’s message is extremely positive.
– I think it is very important that you get up because there are many who have been harmed by this. Clearer rules were required for nursing homes. Many of those who lived in nursing homes have suffered from loneliness and not being able to meet their loved ones, he says.
Lena Gustafsson, Swedish National Association of Pensioners. Photo: Tomas Södergren
She believes that loneliness and confinement have been difficult for many older people, even though some nursing homes have been opened with the help of Plexiglass and other screens.
At the same time, it will now become a new reality after the ban is lifted.
– The rules of the National Board of Health and Welfare and the Public Health Agency are very clear, you should not go to a nursing home if you are not feeling well. It is everyone’s responsibility, of course, not to go with your loved ones and family if you are not feeling well, says Lena Gustafsson.
The spread of the infection has decreased.
In week 16, 845 people were infected in the country’s homes, according to the director general of the National Board of Health and Social Welfare, Olivia Wigzell, while in early September only 17 new cases were reported.
– When the restraining order ends, it does not mean that the danger has passed so that it is transmitted through the visitors of the accommodation. It will be the responsibility of the person who wants to visit, think about how to live and act to avoid getting infected, he says.
Both the National Board of Health and Welfare and the Swedish Public Health Agency will present guidelines for visits. This last authority will initially propose that an agreement be reached on the visiting hours, the number of visitors and who will be visited.
– It is important to avoid an avalanche of relatives. Therefore, visits must be conducted safely, even if many elders and relatives have wanted to meet, says Johan Carlson.
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