Sweden plans to lift most of its epidemiological restrictions from Wednesday, February 9, as the government has pointed to the high proportion of Swedes vaccinated against Covid-19 and the comparatively mild illness that has been thus far characteristic to the omicron variant of the virus, news portal TheLocal.se reports.
«There are multiple international studies of a milder illness, and the data we have from Sweden paints the same picture,» Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson explained. «The rate of vaccination in Sweden has been high in recent weeks,” she continued, stating that this means that «we can open up society, at least for all who have been vaccinated».
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Close to 50% of over-18s in Sweden have received their booster dose of the vaccine, and more than 86% of over-12s have received their first dose. Unlike other countries, Sweden does not suggest the Covid-19 vaccines to children younger than 12, unless they are particularly at risk of a severe illness.
The Social Democrat-led government plans to lift restrictions such as the need to present a vaccination pass to ender indoor events with more than 50 attendees, a cap on alcohol serving time at public places, maximum number of people allowed in shops and others. Norway and Denmark have also announced the lifting of most of domestic Covid-19 restrictions, TheLocal.se reports.
Sweden to lift most Covid-19 restrictions this week
