Sweden to ease some Covid-19 measures next week

Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said the government would ease several restrictions imposed to contain the pandemic at the start of next month as planned, in a press conference on Thursday.

They also presented a five-stage plan to lift gradually lift further regulations in the country.

Lofven said the pandemic was not over yet but infection numbers were heading in the right direction.

As of Tuesday, restaurants will be able to stay open until 10:30 pm, two hours longer than at present.

The number of people allowed to attend meetings and events will be lifted to 50 indoors and 500 at outdoor seated events, in a change that also applies from Tuesday. Up to 150 people may attend some sporting events, such as runs.

The Swedish government has repeatedly postponed these planned easing stages as case numbers remained stubbornly high, with the country reporting the highest 14-day incidence rate in the European Economic Area last week.

Now, though, Lithuania has overtaken Sweden, with the latter reporting a 14-day incidence rate of 430.

Sweden has adopted far less stringent measures than most other countries in Europe to contain the pandemic.

However, the government did introduce some restrictions, including an eight-person limit at events and gatherings.