Prognosis
Sweden Finally Tightens Covid Measures After Being Slammed by Virus
- New law allows authorities to enforce social distancing
- Rules take place of voluntary recommendations as deaths surge
Photographer: Jonathan Nackstarnd/AFP/Getty Images
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After taking arguably the world’s softest approach to handling the coronavirus pandemic, Sweden is tightening the screws.
As of Sunday, the government of Premier Stefan Lofven can fine and shutter businesses that fail to follow restrictions such as caps on visitors, as well as restrict private gatherings, under a new law that runs through September. It’s a departure from relying mainly on recommendations and trusting people to follow them. With the health-care system under increasing duress and deaths surging, some say it was too little too late.