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The local recommendations of the Swedish Public Health Agency for the Västra Götaland region are mainly aimed at indoor environments such as shops, gyms and workplaces.
At Thursday’s press conference, Anders Tegnell was asked several questions about why they are not also issuing new recommendations for public transport. Something that has been done for Uppsala and Skåne. In Skåne, people are encouraged to travel only by public transport if necessary, for example due to their work. In Uppsala County, people are urged to avoid public transportation.
– There has not been very good research on this. There are some descriptions of situations where there has been a spread on public transport, then it has been on buses or long-distance trains where there has been infection, Anders Tegnell said on a question about public transport.
“It can be a dangerous part of the spread of infection”
It also answered the question of why travelers in Uppsala are advised to avoid public transport entirely, despite the region’s own figures on the spread of the infection showing that only three to five percent of the Spread of infection occurs on public transport.
– It may well be that the risk is not enormous. On the other hand, it could be argued that the spread that takes place on public transport can be a dangerous part of the spread of infection because that’s where the infection passes from one workplace to another, says Anders Tegnell.
“The money is flowing”
In Västra Götaland County, therefore, it is not a question of advising against or restricting public transport. According to the chairman of the regional board, Johnny Magnusson, this is not something that is financially sustainable in the long term if it is to be driven at full capacity.
– Much money flows in public transport. As long as we drive in full traffic with such a small number of passengers, we will drive with a deficit in the class of a billion; we can’t bear to do it year after year, he says.
But can you handle it until next summer?
– Yes, we do, but after a while we will have to introduce strong restrictions.
Like what?
– Set lines, for example.
“Many who need to go”
Thomas Wahlberg, an infection control doctor at Västra Götaland, believes that despite the lack of new recommendations, people should think twice before embarking on public transport.
– In the general advice, there is already a call to avoid public transport if you can, and you don’t have to go. We also see that there are many who need to go and have no other options. But, of course, those who don’t need to use public transport shouldn’t either.
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