COVID in Europe: Sweden joins Denmark and Norway to lift most restrictions
Sweden lifts almost all of its anti-covid restrictions from Wednesday, as the pandemic enters what is described as a “new phase” with the dominance of the contagious but obviously less serious Omicron variant.
Among the changes, bars and restaurants will no longer have to close at 23:00 and the rules on gatherings will be eased.
The requirements for vaccination cards to enter public places are also removed, as is the recommendation to wear a mask on public transport during hectic periods.
“The pandemic is not over, but we are entering a whole new phase … knowledge has improved … several studies show that Omicron leads to less serious illness,” said Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson last week when she announced the move.
Although the Omicron variant has caused an increase in infections, it has not translated into an increase in hospital stays for serious forms of the disease in a country where the population is generally vaccinated. More than 83% of the population over the age of 12 have so far received two doses of vaccine and just under 50% have received three doses.
If “the overall assessment shows that we can begin to return to normal”, the government will “continue to be vigilant about the development of the pandemic”, says Minister of Health Lena Hallengren.
A return to the workplace will take place gradually, as will the personal teaching in higher education. The recommendation to stay at home for people who show covid symptoms remains.
The government announced this week that the restrictions on travel from the rest of the EU, the European Economic Area and the Nordic countries will be lifted from Wednesday. Travel restrictions from the rest of the world expire at the end of March.
Some recommendations remain for the unvaccinated – such as avoiding crowds indoors.
The latest figures show a total of 16,028 confirmed deaths from the coronavirus in Sweden, which places the country in line with the European average – but significantly higher than its Norwegian, Finnish and Danish neighbors.
Last week, Denmark became the first EU country to lift almost all coronavirus restrictions.
It was quickly followed by Norway, where Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said that society must “live with” the virus.