On 1 April, the government decided to introduce a national ban on visiting old people's homes.

Six months later, on October 1, the ban was lifted.

On Thursday afternoon, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven (S) announced that the Swedish Public Health Agency will now have the opportunity to introduce local visiting bans on nursing homes.

- We know that this is very intrusive and therefore the government wants to ensure that this can be introduced where necessary, says Löfven.

"A very far-reaching measure"

- I want to remind you that a nursing home is a person's home.

Deciding that you are not allowed to receive guests is a very far-reaching step.

We are now facing a dangerous virus, people's lives are at stake, Löfven continues.

However, there will be exceptions for those who are allowed to visit.

- Where a restraining order is introduced, however, it may be possible for the spouse, partner or partner to meet the resident, says Löfven.

Minister of Social Affairs Lena Hallengren (S) on the decision:

- Banning visits to a nursing home is a major intervention that should not be used more than necessary, she says.

"Keep until the end of February"

Today's decision will be for at least three months.

- We intend to be able to keep this until the end of February, to be able to determine what the situation looks like then, says the Director General of the Public Health Agency Johan Carlson.

As early as 12 November, the City of Stockholm and the City of Gothenburg decided to introduce a visit ban on their nursing homes.