Stefan Lofven
Photographer: Henrik Montgomery / AFP / Getty Images
Photographer: Henrik Montgomery / AFP / Getty Images
Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said there is now a “high risk” of a new rise in coronavirus infections, which may justify the country’s first blockade since the pandemic began almost a year ago.
“We’re seeing an increase in cases again, we need to take new action,” Lofven said at a news conference in Stockholm on Wednesday. “If the situation worsens, the government is willing to enforce a possible blockade in some parts of Sweden. We hope it is not necessary.”
Sweden has had to acknowledge that its previous laissez-faire response to the pandemic resulted in a much higher mortality rate than that of its Nordic neighbors, prompting the government to reverse course. Last month, Sweden enacted a law allowing it to impose blockades and authorities have been gradually tightening requirements this year.
Read: Facial mask skepticism fades in Sweden as infection rates rise
Meanwhile, Sweden’s infection rate has continued to rise. In Stockholm, the number of new coronavirus cases jumped 27% last week.
Lofven said the development required a number of stricter measures, including …
- Limits on the number of people allowed to enter shops and gyms
- Restaurants across the country will not be able to stay open after 20:30 from 1 March
- Schools may need to be closed if the infection rate continues to rise
– With the assistance of Ott Ummelas