Icon: enlarge
People in front of an ice cream parlor in Stockholm (archive image from April 2020)
Photo: Ali Lorestani / dpa
The amazed Sonderweg is apparently over in Sweden: In view of a possible third corona wave, the Scandinavian country is tightening its corona measures.
From March 1st, cafes, bars and restaurants are only allowed to open until 8.30 p.m., said Prime Minister Stefan Löfven on Wednesday in Stockholm.
In addition, the number of customers in shops and gyms will be limited.
“There is a significant risk of what is known as a third wave.
All of our actions determine whether it comes to that, ”said Löfven.
“The situation in Sweden is serious.
We have a high rate of infection.
And it continues to increase, ”said the Prime Minister.
The Stockholm authorities had already recommended wearing a mouth and nose mask on Tuesday in public transport and in rooms in which sufficient distance cannot be maintained.
The stricter restrictions should help keep schools open for as long as possible, said Education Minister Anna Ekström.
"Schools should be the last thing we close and the first thing we open."
According to the health authority, shops will also be encouraged from Monday to warn their customers to shop alone instead of with relatives.
The authority also wants to limit the number of visitors to shops, shopping malls and fitness studios.
Competitive events other than top-class sport and games by children and adolescents born in 2005 or later will also no longer be allowed, said Johan Carlson, director general of the Swedish health authority Folkhälsomyndigheten.
Sweden had taken a different path than most other European countries in the corona pandemic and was also criticized for it.
A strict lockdown was never imposed, instead the authorities relied on distance rules and the wearing of masks.
Recently, however, the authorities tightened the measures in view of the increasing number of cases.
Among other things, the sale of alcohol after 8 p.m. and gatherings of more than eight people were banned.
Icon: The mirror
as / dpa / AFP