Johan Carlson: "The restrictions will remain for a year"

Keep your distance, work from home and have hand hygiene.

This has been the mantra from the Swedish Public Health Agency in recent months.

Recently, family quarantine was introduced for adults and high school students living with someone who is infected.

At the same time, some easing of the restrictions has been presented, including the ban on visiting nursing homes since the first of October and events with a seated audience of up to 500 people are expected to be allowed.

The formal decision will be made on 15 October.

"It's about finding balance"

When Johan Carlson, Director General of the Swedish Public Health Agency, visited Agenda, he was asked if the message from the authorities would be confusing for Swedes.

- I'm aware of that.

But it was high time to remove the restraining order, which is a high degree of restriction for people living in nursing homes.

It's about finding a balance.

The important thing is that people understand that they should keep their distance and not move outside with mild symptoms, to reduce congestion and to work from home.

We will continue with what has been successful.

"No aggression"

In several European countries, irritation and outrage have led to protests against government restrictions imposed when the spread of infection has increased.

In Sweden, more and more people travel collectively compared to this spring and more and more companies and authorities allow their employees to return to the workplace.

- A certain fatigue sets in, this has been going on for a number of months.

But we do not see anger or aggression, we do not see the same reactions as in Europe.

"Restrictions remain one year"

Johan Carlson says that it may be relevant with local restrictions if you see an increase in the spread of infection in a city or town.

It can be about restricting public transport and not being allowed to stay in shops unless it is about shopping for food.

And the restrictions that have been introduced are likely to remain.

- We can expect that measures against the spread of corona will remain for a long time, we are talking about at least a year ahead.

The measures taken in Europe are not sustainable, we are trying to find a situation that is stable and that keeps the spread down, we cannot get rid of it but we can keep it down at a reasonable level.