From last spring until the turn of the year, there was a temporary law that allowed the government to close down restaurants, for example.
But at the moment it is impossible for Stefan Löfven to force people to stay inside.
Among the Prime Minister's political colleagues in Europe and the rest of the world, however, there are many who can do as they please with the shutdowns.
"A majority in the Riksdag is required"
So why is it not allowed here in Sweden?
The answer is found in the constitution - but it is not that simple.
Olof Wilske is a senior lecturer in constitutional law at Uppsala University, and he says that the legislation in Sweden differs from many other countries where closures are allowed.
- Here, it would now be required that the government or another majority in the Riksdag takes the initiative for a new law and then goes through the process required for a closure to be possible.
Introduce new law - or change the constitution
The constitution does not prohibit the closure of society, but it does prohibit the government from closing down society without legal support.
Thus, Löfven and the government first need to enact a new law to be able to close, for example, gyms and restaurants - or alternatively change the constitution to gain more power.
- The constitution must be stable and long-term.
Among other things, two parliamentary decisions are needed with a choice in between for that to be possible, says Olof Wilske.
See the whole explanation for why a "lockdown" is so complicated in Sweden in the player above.