From 7 January, Swedes will be recommended to wear face mask in public transport on weekdays. Stefan Löfven rules out total closure.
On Friday, the Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven presented new restrictions for the whole of Sweden, where the infection with coronavirus is rising sharply. The restrictions apply to the whole of Sweden.
This happens after Sweden registered 100 deaths with coronavirus in the last 24 hours, just as 9654 new cases of infection have been registered.
– This year, Christmas will be different, and it must be different. The situation continues to be very serious. The staff in the hospital system and in the elderly care work around the clock, but the forces are dwindling, it sounded from Löfven.
Face mask are thus now recommended in public transport on weekdays in connection with rush hour traffic, when the Swedes start work again on 7 January after Christmas and New Year. There will be further announcements about this well in advance of January 7, it was announced at the press conference.
Sweden has so far been one of the only countries in the world that has not recommended or introduced requirements for face mask. The Swedish state epidemiologist, Anders Tegnell, has repeatedly stated that there is no scientific reason to introduce recommendations or requirements for sanitary napkins.
At the press conference, it was stated that there will be no question of the Swedes having to wear bandages in other situations, such as in shops.
– No. There will not be unavoidable congestion, said Stefan Löfven.
All government institutions are being shut down
In addition, the number of people who are allowed to go to a restaurant in a company will be reduced from eight to four on Friday from 7 pm, just as it is no longer possible to have alcohol served after 8 pm.
In addition, all state, regional and municipal offices that are not required must be closed down for the time being on 24 January, and a maximum number will be introduced in shops, shopping centers and training centers. If the number of infected people is not reduced, these will be closed, the Swedish Prime Minister stated.
High school students must be taught by distance learning until 24 January.
At the press conference, Stefan Löfven stated that a total shutdown of Sweden is out of the question, because in the long run the Swedes will not “endure it.”
– In other countries it creates social unrest. You can not do it for a short time. These restrictions must reduce infection. We believe that it will have an effect, it sounded from the Swedish Prime Minister.
