'Collective Immunity Experiment' Sweden Ultimately Employs Enforcement to Curb COVID-19

From the 24th, public gathering limits reduced to 8 people
Last week, restaurant and bar operations restricted until 10 PM

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The Swedish government, which had hoped for voluntary compliance with rules from its citizens instead of strict lockdown measures amid the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), has ultimately strengthened its lockdown measures. Sweden, which was regarded as conducting a kind of 'herd immunity' experiment, suffered from the impact of COVID-19 and eventually changed its quarantine approach.

According to the daily newspaper The Guardian and others on the 16th (local time), the Swedish government decided to limit gatherings in public places to no more than 8 people starting from the 24th of this month. This significantly reduces the number of people allowed to gather, which had previously been permitted up to 50 to 300 people depending on the type of event.

Swedish Prime Minister Stefan L?fven stated, "This is a new norm for the entire society," and explained that the quarantine measures recommended to the public last spring were not being followed, making it necessary to prohibit such gatherings. He added, "Do not go to gyms or libraries, and cancel evening appointments," urging, "Please make the right choice for the country, society, and yourself."

Unlike other European countries at the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, Sweden did not implement strong lockdown measures. While regulating the operation of restaurants, bars, and gyms, it issued loose recommendations, emphasizing that citizens would voluntarily comply.

However, Sweden has recorded the highest number of casualties due to COVID-19 among Nordic countries. According to the international statistics site Worldometer, Sweden has 177,355 confirmed COVID-19 cases, far exceeding Finland's 19,419 and Norway's 29,514. The number of confirmed cases per one million population in Sweden is 17,520, which is five times that of Finland and three times that of Norway.

In terms of deaths, Sweden has 6,164 fatalities, more than 20 times higher than Finland's 371 and Norway's 294. The number of deaths per one million population in Sweden is also nine times that of Finland and eleven times that of Norway.

The Swedish government also showed signs of strengthening lockdown measures on the 11th by limiting the operation of bars and restaurants to 10 p.m. The restrictions on bar and restaurant operations will be enforced from the 20th of this month until the end of February. Interior Minister Mikael Damberg stated, "The strengthened lockdown measures introduced this time are scheduled to be implemented for four weeks initially but may be extended through the Christmas season or into the New Year."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.