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The government backed off with its butt before entering the second wave of illness with covid-19. A month ago, the infection had already started to increase, but then the government came under pressure from the culture and sports industry and, despite the negative trend, chose to raise the limit on public gatherings. They did not see the dramatic development coming and raised the limit on the number of people who can gather in various public gatherings from 50 to 300 people, thus sending a signal of relief. You will probably regret that today. Now the infection increases rapidly and uncontrollably. Even though testing has peaked in several regions, statistics continue to show a dramatic increase in infected people.
The government, the Swedish Public Health Agency and several regions have tried to urge people to stop associating with people outside the household. But it has not had the expected effect. Now the government is trying to connect a measure to slow the spread of the infection.
Announces the ban on public gatherings of more than eight people. His goal is not only to prevent people from attending conferences, theater, and worship services, but to send a dramatic message as well. “It will get worse,” Prime Minister Stefan Löfven said, noting that the move to ban the demonstrations is unparalleled in modern times. By shaking people up, citizens should understand that it is serious and refrain from organizing house parties, going to dinner or going to the gym.
It may seem like a bureaucratic regulation change to adjust the limit of public meetings. But historically, it is very remarkable. The police can now be deployed for, for example, political meetings and services. It restricts democracy when people are not allowed to demonstrate and hold political meetings, and it limits religious freedom when people are not allowed to meet and pray. It is a serious violation of individual freedom not to be able to practice culture and sport.
Still, no parliamentary party has so far criticized the government’s proposal to lower the meeting limit, to be sent for quick referral on Thursday. The opposition has criticized the pace, communication and the fact that infection testing and tracking is not fully working, but the parties are not proposing any alternative measures.
All parties see that development in Sweden is going in the wrong direction again, in the direction of overcrowded hospitals and many new deaths. But the opposition does not want to fight the crisis management itself by demanding freedom or stricter rules again.
However, the political debate awaits those affected when the government implements its plan. The Prime Minister urges people not to go to the gym, but at the same time the gyms must be open. The same applies, for example, to restaurants and stores that do not sell food or medicine. Where will these companies get their income from, if all consumers listen to government calls?
In recent weeks, the government has experienced that people have not been as sensitive to calls as they were in the spring. If today’s dramatic message doesn’t change behavior, we can count on new comprehensive proposals. The government has become more offensive in the last week and no longer leaves the initiative to the Public Health Agency as in the spring.
The Minister of Social Affairs, Lena Hallengren (S), is now trying to make sure that the testing and tracking of infections starts to work fully. The government is also considering introducing a national ban on visiting nursing homes. There may be discussion about the reintroduction of distance education in secondary schools and universities. Lena Hallengren may also rush with a new pandemic law that allows shopping malls, restaurants, gyms and the like to close. Recommendations for oral protection, rapid tests, and infection tracking applications may also be relevant.
In some other countries, most recently Austria, curfews have been introduced. The Löfven government will never be so harsh. It is not even possible under Swedish law.
