Stefan Lofven
Photographer: Henrik Montgomery / AFP / Getty Images
Photographer: Henrik Montgomery / AFP / Getty Images
Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven has said there is now a “high risk” of a new rise in coronavirus infections, which could justify the country’s first blockade since the pandemic began almost a year ago.
“We are seeing an increase in cases again, we need to take new action,” Lofven said in a press briefing in Stockholm on Wednesday. “If the situation worsens, the government is ready to apply a possible blockade in some parts of Sweden. Hopefully you won’t need that. ”
Sweden has had to acknowledge that its previous laissez-faire response to the pandemic has led to a much higher mortality rate than that seen among its northern neighbors, prompting the government to reverse course. Last month, Sweden passed a law allowing it to impose blockades, and authorities have gradually tightened requirements this year.
Read: Face-mask skepticism disappears in Sweden as infection rates rise
Meanwhile, the infection rate in Sweden has continued to rise. In Stockholm, the number of new coronavirus cases rose by 27% last week.
Lofven said the development requires a number of stricter measures, including …
- Limits on the number of people allowed in shops and gyms
- Restaurants across the country will not be allowed to remain open after 8:30 p.m., starting March 1
- Schools may be closed if the infection rate continues to rise
– With the assistance of Ott Ummelas