Requests for national blockade in Sweden, which has been highlighted by other countries to resist such steps, are rising amid a new deadly wave of the virus.
Swedish officials are weighing their options to enter a coronavirus blockade after evading initial temporary shutdowns during the first wave of COVID-19 outbreaks in the pandemic.
Bjorn Eriksson, regional director of health, said Tuesday that Stockholm’s intensive care units (ICUs) “far exceed 100 percent capacity,” the New York Times reported.
Earlier this year, the country showed alternative options for managing the pandemic without closing companies, allowing much of normal life to continue despite the virus spreading.
The Times interviewed people from a Stockholm cafe who were not wearing masks; people pointed out that their government health authorities did not recommend masks.
However, with deaths and hospitalizations on the rise, they are once again wondering whether Sweden should introduce more restrictions and whether it should have done so earlier.
Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said on Monday that experts had underestimated the impact of the second wave of the virus.
His comments marked the first instance of a Swedish official who questioned the treatment of the pandemic by the country’s Public Health Agency, headed by state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell.
“I think most of the profession didn’t see a second wave coming,” Lofven told the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, according to the Times.
On Monday, officials sent text message alerts warning people to limit meetings for Christmas. A ban on drinking alcohol after 10pm has been imposed on bars and businesses.
Swedish law prohibits the government from issuing forced orders to say home or punish violations of the recommendations.
Schools across the country have remained open for children under 16, although some schools are now closing due to reports of virus outbreaks.
While some critics are pushing for tougher measures to curb the spread of the virus, the government is working to draft emergency laws that give officials the power to order closures and shut down businesses, citing public health emergencies.