Sweden joins European trend, assumes COVID vaccination pass
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COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) – Sweden is introducing a digital vaccination certificate against covid-19 for public gatherings and events with more than 100 people indoors, the authorities said on Wednesday.
The move follows similar steps from other EU countries in the midst of a recent increase in continental increases in cases of covid-19.
“This is difficult news to give. We all want the pandemic to be over,” said Minister of Social Affairs Lena Hallengren, adding that the certificate will be adopted from 1 December.
Sweden has previously stood out among European nations for its comparatively practical response to the pandemic.
Minister of Culture Amanda Lind said that it is not mandatory to show the vaccination certificate, but those who can not show it must follow certain restrictions. She said it was up to the organizers of an event to decide what the restrictions would be.
The introduction is “a measure we see as necessary in order not to burden healthcare”, says Karin Tegmark Wisell, head of the Public Health Agency.
The vaccination card will not be valid in restaurants at the moment, said Tegmark Wisell.
Sweden has not locked up or closed companies during the pandemic, but instead relies on citizens’ sense of civic duty to control infections. The authorities have emphasized individual responsibility instead of state health measures.
The Scandinavian country has officially registered 15,107 deaths, of which 13 were reported on Wednesday. Official figures show that 85.3% of the population aged 16 and older received the first shot, while 81.7% had two stab wounds.
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