Sweden’s epidemic prevention policy took a major U-turn today. The government, which had previously not considered masks as a tool to help protect the public from the epidemic, is now calling for people to wear masks when traveling on mass transit during peak hours.
The World health Organization (WHO) updated its recommendations in June, calling for masks to be worn in areas where outbreaks are severe and social distances are difficult to maintain. But Sweden has not only failed to implement a lockdown during the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic, it is also one of the few countries that has not recommended that people wear masks generally.
Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven announced several new measures at a press conference. He said the Public Health Agency (PHA) now “recommends wearing masks, which should be worn on mass transit at certain times.
Johan Carlson, director of the Public Health Agency, said, “We don’t think (wearing masks) will have a decisive effect, but in specific cases, it can have a positive effect”; he added that there seems to be little point in wearing masks on the street.
In addition to advising people to wear masks, Lefebvre said that since Dec. 24, the maximum number of people eating at the same table in restaurants will be four, and restaurants and bars will not be allowed to sell alcohol after 8 p.m.
Unfortunately, the situation is still very serious, the infection rate is very high and the medical system is very tight,” Lefebvre said. He called on the public to take precautionary measures and to celebrate Christmas in a limited way.
The Swedish government also said it would impose a cap on the number of people admitted to stores and gyms, and warned of the possibility of closing these venues if the measures were ineffective.
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