Sweden largely lifts corona measures
Despite record numbers of new infections, Sweden will lift most of the corona restrictions in the coming week. What is the current Corona situation in Sweden and what travelers should pay attention.
In view of the milder course of the disease in omicron infections and the high number of vaccinations, Sweden has decided to lift most of the corona restrictions on public life from February 9th. “It’s time to reopen Sweden,” Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said Thursday (February 3), according to a Reuters news agency report.
From next Wednesday, among other things, upper limits for participants are to disappear, and restrictions in restaurants, pubs and cafés will also be lifted. The advice to wear mouth and nose protection in crowds on public transport will then also be dropped, reports the German Press Agency (dpa). However, some recommendations for the unvaccinated remained.
Just a few days ago, Denmark had lifted almost all corona restrictions. Norway plans to follow suit in mid-February.
Which corona restrictions still apply until February 9th?
Symptom-free people are generally allowed to move freely in the country. Facilities such as libraries, swimming pools, museums and amusement parks sometimes have restricted opening times and other access restrictions. In mountain huts and youth hostels there are also restrictions on pre-registration and visitor limits.
t events in closed rooms, a maximum of 300 participants with assigned seats are currently allowed to meet; without fixed seats, an upper limit of 50 people applies. Outside, 600 people may come together standing (without seats), or 3000 with assigned seats. Gastronomy establishments must close at 11 p.m.
All corona measures such as upper limits for participants and restrictions in restaurants, bars and cafés are now to be lifted from next Wednesday (February 9). The previous advice to wear mouth and nose protection in crowds on public transport will then also no longer apply.
The current corona situation in Sweden
As in most other European countries, the number of new corona infections has recently increased rapidly due to the increasing spread of the omicron variant. As of Friday (February 4), the Scandinavian country recorded 36,541 new cases. The seven-day incidence was 2,405.3. In total, around 2.26 million people have been infected with the corona virus in Sweden since the beginning of the pandemic, and 16,100 people have died in connection with the infection.
What applies when entering Sweden?
Vacationers from Germany must show a negative corona test when entering Sweden, which must not be more than 72 hours old. Results from PCR, LAMP and antigen tests are accepted. Fully vaccinated and recovered people are exempt from the test requirement. The digital COVID certificate of the EU must be presented upon entry as proof of full vaccination protection or the recovered status.
