Sweden will lift a ban on visits to elderly care facilities from October 1, the country's Social Affairs Minister Lena Hallengren said on Tuesday.
However, the head of the Public Health Agency of Sweden, Johan Carlson, warned that there should be no rush of visitors to the care homes for the time being.
The ban, which has been in force for close to six months, was among the few restrictions Sweden introduced to combat the spread of the coronavirus, alongside a limit on public gatherings to 50 people.
Sweden has taken a more relaxed approach to the pandemic than elsewhere, with schools, restaurants and shops remaining open throughout.
Sweden's unique approach has meant the country has seen significantly higher numbers of infections and deaths compared to neighbouring Denmark, Norway and Finland.
