Full of people on the streets of Stockholm after receiving new advice.

When the pandemic started in Sweden in March, it quickly became apparent to the people of Stockholm. On March 16, the authorities banned public gatherings and recommended teleworking.

The day after the new advice, March 17, the Expressen photographer came across a deserted Stockholm with closed shops and scattered streets.

By the end of March, the number of barricades in the Stockholm metro had decreased by almost 800,000 compared to the previous month. From week 12 to week 19, trips were below 40 percent of usual.

New restrictions: crowded in the subway

Stronger local recommendations arrived on Thursday, including in Stockholm. So far, no data is available on how Stockholmers’ movement patterns have changed, but it was crowded on the subway when Expressen visited T-central at 15.30.

“We need our public transportation”

In an interview with Aftonbladet, state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell has gone out of his way to shut down parts of public transportation. Maria Rotzén Östlund is an infection control doctor in Stockholm and says it is not relevant now.

– We really need our public transportation for those who cannot work from home, there are so many who need to use public transportation to get to their jobs. To then say that we must avoid public transport and close it, it will be very difficult.

Uncertainty about the rules

Wilma Ekstrand, 20, and Hasse Salomonsson, 21, are visiting from Stockholm from Tibro.

What do you think of the new sharp crown tips?

– I really don’t know what to say to that. I don’t know if I really know the new rules or restrictions. I keep my distance and wash my hands, says Wilma Ekstrand.

Do you feel that your life has changed or will change?

– Yes, it has been a lot from the beginning, quite drastic. Much less traveling and I do not meet my older relatives, says Hasse Salomonsson.

Will you follow the new tips presented?

– Oh, difficult question. I really don’t know, says Hasse Salomonsson.

– Now we are in Stockholm and we have come here by train. But you might think about doing it less often and adjusting to everyday life. You may not collectively travel the same way and stop going to clubs and the like, says Wilma Ekstrand and has the support of Hasse Salomonsson.

“I will definitely follow the new advice”

Kicki Gustafsson, 47, from Stockholm, is at the Mall of Scandinavia with her 6-year-old daughter Minoo.

What do you think of the new sharp crown tips?

– Now we are here in a mall. We should have gone to the Natural History Museum, but when we arrived it was closed. Minoo got a little sad so we booked a movie visit here. The new restrictions are good and you should follow them, even if we didn’t do it today, but we will definitely follow the new advice in the future, says Kicki Gustafsson.