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On Tuesday, Johan Carlson, director general of the Swedish Public Health Agency, warned that the spread of the infection could reach a peak during the Christmas holidays, and that “It can end really bad.”
The authority recommends a maximum of eight people in the Christmas celebration, and that they travel by train and bus. In addition, the tone is sharpened in the new national regulations that will be introduced on December 14, where the wording “You should” replace with “You’ll”.
According to the Minister of Social Affairs Lena Hallengren (S), you are “guilty” to comply with the regulations, even if there is no penalty if you violate the rules.
However, many countries, including Norway, have chosen to introduce some criminal liability. Starting this spring, Norwegians can be fined if, for example, they violate the quarantine obligation or gather for many at private parties.
Norway’s director of infection control Frode Forland believes the increase has had a symbolic effect.
– We have created a special national regulation on covid that has been revised several times during the pandemic. You can also introduce local regulations, which are within the legal scope provided by the Norwegian Communicable Diseases Act. In Sweden, people have relied heavily on the recommendations, rather than using the law. But politicians have every opportunity to provide legal assistance, he says.
“Löfven acted a bit late”
This spring, the Swedish Parliament drafted a temporary crisis law, an amendment to the Infection Control Act limited to three months, that would give the government greater powers to act against the spread of the infection. But the law was never used. According to the Minister of Social Affairs, it did not work, something that has been questioned by the opposition.
Instead, the government is working on a new anti-pandemic law that is expected to be ready by summer. However, the Riksdag has demanded that the work be accelerated, so that the legislation is already in effect in the spring, reports Ekot.
Frode Forland believes that the Swedish Public Health Agency has so far had a disproportionately large influence on work with the pandemic. He believes that Norway has in part a different governance structure.
– It is good that the government has come out on the ground in Sweden, but I think that Löfven has acted a bit late. This is not just a health crisis, but a social crisis. So it doesn’t just work for an authority to handle it. You have to let seriousness permeate all of society so that everyone understands how to relate to the pandemic.
Similar tips for Christmas
However, the Norwegian and Swedish guidelines for Christmas celebrations are similar. In Norway, you can gather up to ten people in a family, twice, otherwise a maximum of five people applies. They also advise against unnecessary travel.
Is there a difference between five, eight or ten people?
– No, the important thing is to understand the meaning. We must keep our distance and not hang out with too many people. Now we see that we have managed to break the curve in Norway, and we are at a much lower level compared to three or four weeks ago.
Are there any measures that have been especially effective?
– We don’t know for sure, but several measures have had a good effect together. That we limit the number of people who are allowed to socialize, that we stop the sale of alcohol in restaurants earlier in the evening, that we use mouth guards in public transport and shopping centers, as well as social distance and good hygiene.
Sweden has followed suit when it comes to the sale of alcohol. Do you think we will also start recommending oral protection?
– You can ask the Swedish Public Health Agency about that. There is evidence that mouth guards can be a good complement when distance cannot be maintained. In these situations, it is highly recommended in Norway in areas with a high spread of infection, says Frode Forland.
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