Gert van der Hoek
In Memoriam - Editor, Senior Moderator
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - COVID-19 cases are increasing fast in Sweden, Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said on Tuesday as he announced stricter recommendations for another three regions amid signs the resurgence was beginning to lift deaths from the disease.
“We have a very serious situation,” Lofven told a news conference. “More and more intensive care beds are now being used to treat COVID patients. The respite we got this summer is over.”
The new regional guidelines mean 70% of Swedes now live under the stricter, if still voluntary, recommendations that include working from home if possible and avoiding public transport, shopping malls and gyms.
Lofven also said diners at restaurants would be limited to parties of eight people . While this represented a tightening, it still fell short of many other European countries where restaurants have been closed or restricted to limited hours and take-aways.
“We have a very serious situation,” Lofven told a news conference. “More and more intensive care beds are now being used to treat COVID patients. The respite we got this summer is over.”
The new regional guidelines mean 70% of Swedes now live under the stricter, if still voluntary, recommendations that include working from home if possible and avoiding public transport, shopping malls and gyms.
Lofven also said diners at restaurants would be limited to parties of eight people . While this represented a tightening, it still fell short of many other European countries where restaurants have been closed or restricted to limited hours and take-aways.