Sweden, which has long avoided blockades and requests for face masks as tools to fight the coronavirus pandemic, has given its government the power to act more strongly to stem the spread of the disease.
Parliament passed an emergency law on Friday that will allow the government to limit the number of people in stores, businesses and public places, such as theaters and public swimming pools, or even order its closure in case of violations. The government could also fine individuals for breaking the rules on coronavirus.
The new powers take effect on Sunday, freeing the government to do more than make recommendations, as it has done so far. But with the country struggling to fight a second wave of coronavirus and with emergency wards occupying its critical capacity, the government said it needed more tools.
On Saturday, the total death toll in Sweden was 9,433. The country now has 93 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, less than Britain, which has 120, but far more than its neighbor Norway, with nine.
“We see a great risk of being in a difficult situation for a while,” Prime Minister Stefan Lofven told the SVT network. “Of course, that means that the pandemic law will be used. And we will use it in the near future. “
In a separate decision implemented on Thursday, the masks, long considered ineffective by Swedish health officials, are now being recommended for use during rush hour on public transport. They are not mandatory.
In April, when much of the rest of the world went into confinement, the Swedes were able to continue going to bars and restaurants, with the government and health officials saying they did not believe in confinement. The country’s Public Health Authority issued some recommendations for the prevention of coronavirus, but the government was not legally able to order the type of stay-at-home measure used in other European countries.
Swedish lawmakers supported the position, saying they would never force people to adhere to the recommendations. But now that the pandemic is showing no signs of abating, many have changed their positions and supported government measures.
Some experts are calling for even stricter measures.
“This law is great, but not enough,” said Dr. Fredrik Elgh, professor of clinical virology at Umea University. “We desperately need a four-week block to prevent this increase. If we do that now in two weeks, we will see a decrease. “He added:” I don’t understand why my country is one of the few countries that cannot do this seriously. “
Christina Anderson contributed from Stockholm, Sweden.