Health Minister Lena Hallengren, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson and Director General of the Public Health Agency Karin Tegmark Wisell at Thursday's press conference. Photo: Marko Säävälä/TT
Posted on 02/03/2022 9:50:27 AM PST by SeekAndFind
In a press conference on Thursday morning, the Swedish government announced plans to remove the majority of restrictions against Covid-19 on February 9th, the Local.se reported.
Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, Health Minister Lena Hallengren and the Director General of the Public Health Agency, Karin Tegmark Wisell, announced that almost all restrictions will be removed on February 9th, and that those working from home should prepare to return to work.
Health Minister Lena Hallengren, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson and Director General of the Public Health Agency Karin Tegmark Wisell at Thursday's press conference. Photo: Marko Säävälä/TT
“The pandemic is not over, but is entering a completely new phase,” said Andersson. “We are nearing the point for Sweden to open up again.”
The government explained that the decision to open up was based on a number of factors, partly that Omicron appears to be a milder variant of the virus, and partly that the percentage of Sweden’s population who are fully vaccinated or have taken a booster dose continues to increase.
“There are multiple international studies of a milder illness, and the data we have from Sweden paints the same picture,” Andersson explained. “The rate of vaccination in Sweden has been high in recent weeks,” she continued, stating that this means that “we can open up society, at least for all who have been vaccinated”.
Almost 50 percent of over-18s in Sweden have received their third dose of the vaccine, and more than 86 percent of over-12s have received their first dose. Sweden does not recommend the Covid vaccines to children under the age of 12, unless they are particularly at risk.
Health Minister Lena Hallengren also stated that “the government is planning on removing travel restrictions introduced on December 21st for the Nordic countries”, stating that they would provide more information as soon as it was possible.
She didn’t say anything about travel restrictions for other countries. Sweden’s current entry rules for EU/EEA arrivals are currently in place until February 28th, and March 31st for people travelling from other countries.
In terms of returning to work and higher education, Hallengren stated that “in order to prevent a new wave, the return to work and school should occur successively”.
Which restrictions will be removed?
The following restrictions will be removed next week:
Indoor events of 20-50 people must be seated, with max 8 per group and one metre between groups
Vaccination pass needed for indoor events with more than 50 attendees
Trade shows and markets indoors must require a vaccine pass if they have more than 50 guests, and number of guests is capped at 500, with 10 square metres per person
Restaurants must close at 11pm, with alcohol serving ending at 10.30pm
Groups at restaurants may consist of a maximum of eight people, with a minimum of one metre between groups
Restaurants with conserts or other entertainment may only have seated guests
Maximum of 20 people at private parties in hired venues
Shops must have a maximum number of guests permitted, calculated on area with 10 square metres per person – this also applies to gyms, museums, art galleries, theme parks and swimming pools
Long-distance public transport: all travellers must have a seat, if possible
In addition to this, special recommendations for those who have not yet been vaccinated will remain, as well as recommendations to stay home when sick, or if you suspect you may have Covid-19.
Covid-19 ‘no longer a danger to society’
The Public Health Agency also believes that Covid-19 should no longer be classified as an illness presenting a danger to society. Therefore, the agency has sent a request to the government in order to reclassify the illness.
“The government will process this request in a swift manner and will also put forward a law proposal to reclassify Covid-19,” Hallengren said, indicating that this could happen by the end of March. After the government has submitted these proposals, parliament will make the final decision on whether to approve them or not.
Sweden confirmed its highest number of daily new cases of Covid-19 last week, the highest level yet during the pandemic. There was also a clear rise in the number of Covid-linked deaths and intensive care admissions last month, albeit not as much as during previous waves.
With over 16,000 fatalities so far, Sweden’s death toll is in line with the European average, but is far higher than those of neighbouring Norway, Finland and Denmark.
Denmark on Tuesday became the first European Union country to lift most of its domestic Covid-19 restrictions, followed later in the day by Norway.
What's this with "lifting restrictions"?
What kind of restrictions did they have in place?
UK Gov’t confirms Covid19 harmless to VAST MAJORITY of people
May 14, 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adj8MCsZKlg
Sweden. 3 blonde women in charge. That’s why they are doing better than most other European countries. It’s “white privedge” doncha know
If you bothered to read the article you would have seen a list of them.
Thanks to Canadian truckers.
Seems they’re fixing every country but their own so far.
Wait, are you seriously suggesting that the OP actually READ the article they're posting? It's not enough to read their own excerpt?
That's no fun... :-)
The Canadian leaders are in trouble because they cant be seen as giving into truckers. Other nations have chance to get ahead of similar situation.
Now, now! Don't get racist, sexist and anti Geriatric Freepers.
One of a countless myths spread.
RE: One of a countless myths spread
Unless my Swedish friend and colleague is lying, Sweden DOES NOT have vaccine mandates and hasn’t locked down the way other countries have.
What source of yours says otherwise?
RE: The Canadian leaders are in trouble because they cant be seen as giving into truckers.
We are seeing a pattern here.
Novak Djokovic was clearly no threat to the health of any player or aydience in the Australian Open. Yet, the Aussie government banned him from playing because he can’t be seen as a symbol to the rest of the country. It’s the fear of losing control that governments everywhere have.
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