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On October 27, the Swedish Public Health Agency announced that, in consultation with the infection control regions, the general councils of Stockholm, Västra Götaland and Östergötland will be strengthened. Similar measures have already been taken in Skåne and Uppsala. The strict advice applies for three weeks, until mid-November.
How do municipalities affect daily life and what should the inhabitants of the regions avoid?
Can I travel by public transport?
In Uppsala and Skåne, residents are advised not to travel by public transport. Instead, the Swedish Public Health Agency encourages travelers to choose other means of transport, such as bicycles or cars. Carpooling is fine if it is carried out with close people. At the same time, the council should not stop people from going to work, school, or seeking care.
In Stockholm, Västra Götaland and Östergötland, the strict guidelines do not apply to public transport. Maria Rotzén Östlund, an infection control physician in the Stockholm region, however, refers to the advice above to travel only when necessary.
– I myself go by public transport and you can leave on time. You have to wait for the next bus if possible and get into, for example, the subway car. It may sound cynical if you live far away, where buses don’t run as often, but from what I understand from traffic management information, congestion is usually in the center of town, where traffic is heaviest, he says.
Maria Rotzén Östlund, an infection control physician in the Stockholm region.
Photo: Claudio Bresciani / TT
Can I train as usual?
According to the new advice, people should refrain from staying indoors where people gather. In addition to shops, museums, and libraries, this also applies to bathhouses and gyms.
The advice does not apply to outdoor environments.
– It is always allowed to exercise outside even if it is a bit boring like the current weather. But you can run, walk or visit an outdoor gym, says Maria Rotzén Östlund.
Children and young people under 15 years of age can continue to practice their sport, as its impact on the spread of infection is considered to be low. The Public Health Agency urges them not to share “bottles of water and protection, nor to yell and hug.” No matches or competitions should be held, according to the advice.
Exercise for medical reasons is not covered by the council, writes the authority. Visits to restrooms and gyms for, for example, rehabilitation should take place when the risk of congestion is small. Changing rooms should also be avoided.
People should refrain from staying indoors where many gather, such as gyms.
Photo: Noella Johansson / TT
What applies to indoor activities with distance?
– We have not expressed ourselves specifically about the salons, but more about the gyms and the bathhouses where they are close to each other. You have to think for yourself. But for me, it sounds good with, for example, a tennis court with a large space that allows to avoid congestion, says Maria Rotzén Östlund.
– But it is a double responsibility both for the person who owns the business and for the individual. The activity must create the conditions to avoid infection and the individual must not do anything where they cannot maintain a physical distance.
What about the new audience of 300 people for seated events?
The regions also retain the maximum number of public gatherings of 50 people, instead of the 300 that the government had previously opened since November 1. So do Blekinge and Värmland.
The Swedish Public Health Agency writes that the public in regions with stricter councils should refrain from events that bring many people together, both indoors and outdoors. This includes concerts, theaters, cinemas, and celebrations.
– The change to 300 prepared for a time when the infection situation looked better. Many were extremely happy, but now we see too large an increase in the number of cases to be okay, says Maria Rotzén Östlund.
– It is very boring. But there are many things that are not fun with this pandemic. The worst thing is that people get seriously ill and die. So it is those decisions that we must make.
Can I invite friends to my house if I limit the number?
– No I dont think so. In the coming weeks, you have to have a dense social bubble. It is often the family of those who live with others, says Maria Rotzén Östlund.
The new councils advise against physical contact with people who do not belong to your own home. Therefore, activities such as parties, weddings, parties, dinners and other private events should be avoided.
How should someone who lives alone think?
– Do not forget that in Stockholm we have many individual households. So you can’t tell them to completely isolate themselves for three weeks. Nobody feels good about it. You can choose one or a couple of close people that you can have in your social bubble, she says.
Can I travel to or from a region with stricter advice?
Advising against unnecessary travel within or outside the region is a measure that is included in the regulation of the Public Health Agency for general advice in case of local outbreaks. At present, however, the regions have not decided.
– We haven’t chosen it right now. Traveling and sitting in a cabin or renting an apartment can be fine. But traveling to meet someone who is not part of the social bubble should not be done, says Maria Rotzén Östlund.
“As an individual, you can’t go to a restaurant and meet people you don’t normally go out with,” says Maria Rotzén Östlund.
Photo: Henrik Isaksson / TT
Can I go to a restaurant or cafeteria?
The advice not to visit restaurants is also included in the regulation of the Public Health Agency. However, no decision has been made on the measure in the regions.
– But as an individual, you can’t go to a restaurant and meet people you don’t usually hang out with. Just because you move there is not cool. On the other hand, going out with your family or partner can be fine, says Maria Rotzén Östlund.
What’s the difference from this spring’s tip?
– That is a good question. This is based on the general advice that has been in place since last spring. These tips go further and are a bit more detailed. But the thinking is similar, says Maria Rotzén Östlund.
– It’s great if we go back to how we lived last spring, but without the same feelings of anxiety. That would be really cool.
