According to the new rules, only the closest relatives are allowed to participate in baptisms, marriages and funerals, preferably no more than ten people.

"This is a deadly pandemic, I do not think it is enough with individual responsibility, organizations such as the church must also do what they can to prevent the infection from spreading," says church pastor Thomas Wärfman.

Norrköping has chosen a harder line

Norrköping belongs to the Diocese of Linköping, where the bishop previously said that it is important for the church to receive as many visitors as possible without passing the set limit of 50 people, but the around 100 pastorates / congregations in the diocese are free to make their own decisions and Norrköping has chosen a harder line.

Wärfman says that if you count those who visit funerals in Norrköping every week, there will be up to 700 people, but the new rules are hoped to reduce that figure significantly.