Damberg praised the Swedes that so many, at least for what seems to have been so long, chose to stay home at Easter. At the same time he stormed those who do not take the guidelines seriously but ignore them.

- I don't want to see any congestion on the outdoor cafés during Easter as there have been in some places in Stockholm. The recommendations are not tips but rules to be followed. I assume that both the public and the pubs take their responsibility.

Can become a police case

According to the Interior Minister, it is not the police's primary task to ensure that congestion is avoided among the restaurant tables, but that it may still be so. He also emphasized that the contagion doctors have a mandate to immediately shut down the taverns that misbehave.

- They cannot expect to be open if they break the rules. It is serious now and many will check them.

Fewer reported crimes

National Police Chief Anders Thornberg, who is a member of the crisis management council, said that the Police have so far only had to intervene in outdoor seating on a few occasions. Instead, he noted that the number of reported violent fraud and traffic offenses decreased by just over four per cent compared with March last year, possibly an effect of the pandemic.

At the same time, he said that the police are currently working intensively to detect and prevent particularly vulnerable persons from falling into close relationships. Crimes that are difficult to detect but which can increase when many people are home during the days.

"If you hear noise, noise or screams from the neighbor and feel anxious, it is important to contact the police," Thornberg said.