“We are beginning to see the beginning of the end,” Prime Minister Stefan Leven told a news conference.
The easing of restrictions will take place in five stages and will depend on the level of infection, the burden on the health care system and the scope of vaccination, the government said.
“I would like to emphasize that the lifting of restrictions is taking place responsibly and with a readiness to deal with a situation where the level of infection is rising again,” the prime minister explained.
Sweden has not had a quarantine regime as strict as other European countries, with the government relying on less restrictive methods.
However, since November, restrictions have been gradually tightened, including a ban on the sale of alcohol after 8 pm and a ban on more than eight people attending public meetings.
From March, cafes, bars and restaurants must close no later than 8.30pm.
In the first phase of restrictions, restaurants will be able to continue working until 22.30, some sports activities will be able to resume, as well as face-to-face training for adults.
In the second stage, as of July 1, a larger number of people will be allowed in private and public events, as well as a larger number of the public will be able to attend sports and cultural events. Also, the recommendation to contact only people from the nearest social circle will no longer apply.
The third and fourth stages are currently planned for July 15 and September, respectively.
In the process, restrictions on the location of people on public transport and the number of visitors to shops will be lifted. This will be followed by the complete lifting of restrictions on the number of people in private and public meetings, as well as on the number of people at events.
The date for the final stage, when the restrictions will be lifted completely, has not yet been set, the prime minister said.
The number of new infections has fallen by 30-40% in some regions, said Johann Carlson, director of the Swedish Public Health Administration, while urging people to “follow and follow the recommendations that are in place.”
Among European Union countries, Sweden had the highest number of new infections in proportion to the population last week, according to estimates by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control.
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