Sweden introduces vaccination certificate requirement for events

Sweden, which has taken a relatively permissive approach to the coronavirus pandemic, is introducing the use of a vaccination certificate for events.

As of Wednesday, adults have had to show a vaccination certificate at public events and indoor gatherings with more than 100 participants if the organizer demands it.

The proof of vaccination - recoveries and negative tests do not count - can be presented on a smartphone or on paper.

This applies, for example, to concerts and sporting events, but also in cinemas or theatres.

Organizers who do not want to check the vaccination certificates of their visitors must alternatively implement various restrictions such as assigned seating and a minimum distance of 1 metre between participants.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Sweden has taken a special approach with comparatively lax measures. As a result, it struggled with very high numbers compared to the rest of Scandinavia.

Lowest incidence in Europe

So far, about 1.2 million infections have been detected in the country of 10 million inhabitants. More than 15,000 people have died in connection with the disease, most of them elderly.

According to the latest comparative figures from the EU health authority, the ECDC, the country has the lowest incidence in the entire European Economic Area, with a seven-day incidence of just over 60.

Around 79 per cent of all people over the age of 12 have received two vaccine doses so far.