Sweden, which has long avoided the closures and face-mask orders as aids in fighting the coronavirus pandemic, has given its government power to take stronger action to stem the spread of the disease.
Parliament on Friday passed an emergency law allowing the government to limit, or even close, the number of people in shops, businesses and public places, such as theaters and public swimming pools, in case of violations. The government will also be able to fine individuals for violating coronavirus rules.
The new powers come into effect on Sunday, freeing the government to do more than make recommendations, as it has done so far. But while the country is struggling to fight a second wave of the coronavirus, and with emergency departments filling to critical capacity, the government has said it needs more tools.
Sweden’s total death toll was 9,433 as of Saturday. The country now has 93 deaths per 100,000 people, less than Britain, with 120, but much more than its neighbor Norway, with nine.
“We see a great risk that we will be in a difficult situation for some time to come,” Prime Minister Stefan Lofven told the SVT network. “This naturally means that the pandemic law will be used. And we will use it soon. ”
In a separate decision implemented on Thursday, face masks, long considered by Swedish health officials to be ineffective, are now recommended for use during rush hour on public transport. It is not mandatory.
In April, when many of the rest of the world were locked up, Sweden was able to continue to pubs and restaurants, and government and health officials said they did not believe in closure. The country’s public health authority has issued some recommendations on coronavirus prevention, but the government has not been able to legally order the kind of home-stay measures used in other European countries.
Swedish lawmakers support the view, saying they will never force people to comply with the recommendations. But now that the pandemic is showing no signs of abating, many have changed their views and supported the government’s measures.
Some experts are calling for even stricter measures.
“This law is wonderful, but not enough,” said Dr Fredrik Elgh, a professor of clinical virology at the University of Umea. ‘We need a four-week exclusion to stop this increase. If we do this in two weeks now, we will decrease. He added: “I do not understand why my country is one of the few countries that can not do this seriously.”
Christina Anderson made a contribution from Stockholm, Sweden.