Sweden had already ended almost all measures in the fight against the corona virus.
There were above all recommendations for unvaccinated people.
That was at the end of September.
On Thursday, the corona incidence in the Kingdom was just under 58, a record low in Europe.
Matthias Wyssuwa
Political correspondent for Northern Germany and Scandinavia based in Hamburg.
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Nevertheless, the Swedish government has now announced new measures in the fight against the coronavirus, which the country has not yet experienced in this severity: An increase in cases is expected in winter, said Health Minister Lena Hallengren on Wednesday. One is "not isolated from the rest of the world". Because all around Sweden, whether from Denmark or Norway as well as from Germany, new infection records are reported almost every day.
From December onwards, the Swedes should show a corona vaccination certificate for the first time. In a first phase, this should be an option for the organizers for indoor events with more than 100 visitors. This applies to cinemas, concerts, theaters or sporting events in the hall. The organizers do not have to ask for vaccination cards there, but if they don't, they have to accept other restrictions, such as distance rules. Restaurants and bars are initially excluded from this.
The responsible health authority had asked for the vaccination certificate to be introduced as an instrument against the spread of the virus, the government now wants to bring it through parliament. It is becoming apparent that if the number of infections increases, the new passport rule could also be used in other places of public life and at events, especially in restaurants, bars or fitness studios. And as it currently stands, only one vaccination will actually apply and the passport will be issued - and neither a test nor a recovery as an alternative.
Sweden's way through the Corona crisis has repeatedly caused a stir in the world. Mainly because the country did not rely on bans for a long time, but on recommendations. For some, Sweden became a role model, for others it became a deterrent. The numbers were clear. In the first phase of the pandemic in particular, many more people died in Sweden than in their neighbors in Denmark or Norway.
Many more Swedes have been infected with the virus since the outbreak of the pandemic: The infection rate is 11.7 percent, compared to 6.25 in Germany. The Corona Commission set up by the government also came to a clear result in its second partial report at the end of October. She passed a devastating verdict on the Swedish corona policy of the first few months: the response to the pandemic was too slow, and then the first measures to control the virus were "insufficient" or essential to stop the virus from spreading in the country to restrict. The outrage was great after the presentation of the partial report of the commission. The final report is expected in February.
Obviously, neither the health authority nor the government want to be reproached for waiting too long. When the lifting of the measures was announced in September, this was justified by the good vaccination rate among adults, especially among the elderly. The vaccination rate based on the total population is almost 69 percent twice vaccinated, however, hardly better than in Germany.
But even if the incidence has so far been low and the load on the intensive care units with currently 31 Covid patients is still low, the authorities are now extremely cautious.
State epidemiologist Anders Tegnell said at a press conference on Thursday that there was also a tendency for infections to increase in Sweden.
Especially in the middle age groups.
Therefore, one prepares measures, such as the vaccination cards.
If the "infection pressure" stays low, said Tegnell, that could be enough.
But if the increase increases, the vaccination records are no longer sufficient.
More tests are to be carried out now, and more third vaccinations are to be given for prioritized groups.
Because the most important thing, said Tegnell, is to keep vaccinating.