Originally Posted by
lucille
As each day passes, the Sweden model looks like it was the more rational option. Let’s also not forget that Covid is not Ebola. Listening to the media, you’d be forgiven for thinking they were one and the same.
Sweden had/has
NON voluntary recommendations. Including no travel until recently.
Current are:-As of 29 March, the Swedish Government has decided to ban all public gatherings and events with more than 50 people. The aim with this legislation is to prevent situations where large numbers of people from different parts of the country come together in the same place.
Examples of public gatherings and events are demonstrations, seminars, religious gatherings, theatre performances and concerts. Sports events, dances and fairs are other examples.
On 1 April, the Public Health Agency issued regulations and general guidelines regarding our shared responsibility to prevent transmission of COVID-19. Everyone has a personal responsibility to prevent transmission. You should avoid any large social gathering such as parties, weddings, funerals and other events attracting many people at the same time.
It is also of utmost importance to keep a distance from others at e.g. sports grounds, gyms, shopping centers, public transportation etc. People older than 70 should limit all close contacts with others.
Prior to all events and public gatherings, the Public Health Agency recommends that the organisers do a risk assessment.
According to the general guidelines published by the Public Health Agency, public transport operators should:
- provide enough services to avoid crowding,
- limit the number of passengers per vehicle, and
- inform their passengers about how to minimise the risk of disease transmission.
Businesses and organisations in Sweden must take note of the recommendations of the Public Health Agency of Sweden or County Medical Officers and do what they can to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This means that:
- Shops and shopping centres must do what they can to limit the number of people on their premises at any one time. They should come up with alternative arrangements for checkout queues and advise customers how far apart they need to stand
- Employers can also ease the situation for their employees by:
- supporting employees who are on sick leave. Anyone confirmed positive with COVID-19 should stay at home for at least seven days after falling ill. Before returning to work one should have completely recovered and have had at least two days with no fever.
- adapting the workplace so that staff are not at risk of infection
- arranging for the staff to be able from keep a physical distance to each other
- making it possible for staff to regularly wash their hands with water and soap or use alcohol-based hand rub.
- making it possible for staff to work at home where possible
- adjusting working hours so that staff can avoid travelling in the rush hour
- Associations and clubs should postpone annual meetings and other similar meetings if possible, or hold meetings digitally.
It is important to keep a physical distance from other people, both indoors and outdoors where people gather, e.g. restaurants, shopping centres, bathing places, beaches, camping sites and open-air cafés and restaurants
As from 14 June activities such as sports games, matches and tournaments without spectators will be permitted for all ages. The decision applies to all professional sports, at all levels, for both men and women. However, there are certain conditions to take into account. Tournaments should
- primarily be held outdoors
- comply with the legislation in the Public Order Act chapter 2, section 1-3 §§ regarding public gatherings which are limited to 50 people. Further information is available from the Swedish Police (in Swedish).
- limit the number of spectators and avoid crowding
- only permit close contact considered unavoidable in order to be able to practise the respective sport.
It is important that both participants and spectators are free of any symptoms.
For all other exercise and sports activities the same rules as before are applicable, i.e. these activities can continue, but the one responsible for the activity must take action to minimise the risk of transmission of COVID-19.
You are allowed to travel within Sweden in connection with sports games, tournaments and other sports activities. However, it is of utmost importance to keep a distance from others and to follow the general guidelines concerning travel within Sweden.
Restaurants, bars, and cafés around the country need to take special precaution regarding the risk of crowding of people in queues, around tables, and at buffets or bars. Visitors must be able to keep at a distance from each other.
All visitors should sit at tables when they eat or drink, they are not allowed to stand at a bar or similar. Staff should serve food and drinks at the tables. Unless it creates queues or crowding, guests may order and pick up their food at a counter. Take-outs can be handled as usual, as long as it does not lead to crowding or close contact between people.
The person in charge of the venue is responsible for maintaining routines minimising the risk of disease transmission. This can for example include local guidelines about access to hand washing facilities (soap and running water) for staff and guests.
Businesses and organisations in Sweden must take note of the recommendations of the Public Health Agency of Sweden or County Medical Officers and do what they can to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This means that:
- Shops and shopping centres must do what they can to limit the number of people on their premises at any one time. They should come up with alternative arrangements for checkout queues and advise customers how far apart they need to stand.
- Employers can also ease the situation for their employees by:
– supporting employees who are on sick leave. Anyone confirmed positive with COVID-19 should stay at home for at least seven days after falling ill. Before returning to work one should have completely recovered and have had at least two days with no fever.
– adapting the workplace so that staff are not at risk of infection
– arranging for the staff to be able to keep a physical distance from each other
– making it possible for staff to regularly wash their hands with water and soap or use alcohol-based hand rub
– making it possible for staff to work at home where possible
– adjusting working hours so that staff can avoid travelling in the rush hour
- Associations and clubs should postpone annual meetings and other similar meetings if possible, or hold meetings digitally.