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Soon, the Swedes will be able to finalize their plans for Christmas and New Years.
Although the infection is believed to be subsiding by the end of December, the prospects for a Christmas with family celebrations are bleak, according to Anders Tegnell.
– It will be a very different Christmas.
Today’s announcement that Sweden may have reached the top of the second corona wave in two weeks has raised hope ahead of the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
But while the governments of several other European countries have announced what applies before the holidays, the Swedes will have to wait until next week before they can start planning.
But already today Anders Tegnell, a state epidemiologist, came with some information.
Photo: FERNVALL LOTTE
Anders Tegnell.
No dear reunions for Christmas
The restrictions will be very strict, according to the Swedish Public Health Agency. Some Christmas celebrations that involve dear reunions with family and long-distance friends aren’t on the map.
– This will be a different Christmas, which we can celebrate in small groups with the people we usually hang out with. It is difficult to see such rapid fluctuations in the virus so that it can begin to rally again as it did before, said Anders Tegnell, a state epidemiologist with the Swedish Public Health Agency during today’s press conference.
Photo: Henrik Montgomery / TT
Image from Akriv.
However, there will be no talk of a total travel ban.
– You can travel, but you have to do it very responsibly, says Anders Tegnell.
Many have booked trips to the mountains before the weekends. How do you look at it?
– It is about how to act and that you should have as few social contacts as possible. If you can complete the journey that way, you may be fine.
Après ski canceled
According to Anders Tegnell, skiing is not a problem in itself. Risks are congestion in the elevator queues, crowded cabins, and social activities after the trip. The Public Health Agency is in talks with ski counties about measures to reduce the risk of spreading the infection.
– The problem is the back skin. It will not take place like this spring. By avoiding it, you avoid risk in regions.
Could it be relevant with further tightening of restrictions and tips to reduce the spread of infection so that we can celebrate Christmas together?
– Some have commented on it that way but I think it is difficult to do it and then open quickly before Christmas. To think that with more measures we will be able to celebrate an ordinary Christmas, no, I don’t think it’s possible, says Anders Tegnell.
Photo: Jonas Ekströmer / TT
Johan Carlson, CEO of the Swedish Public Health Agency.
But what the situation will be like for Christmas and New Years and whether the Public Health Agency scenario turns into reality largely depends on how local restrictions and advice are followed.
– We are hopeful that we can influence the pandemic in this way, but I want to emphasize that we are not experts in calculating what it will be like. This is based on the fact that we have good compliance with city councils and good social distancing, Johan Carlson, director general of the Swedish Public Health Agency, said at a press conference on Thursday.
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