STOCKHOLM (AP) — Sweden will introduce a COVID-19 vaccination pass on Dec. 1 for indoor public events of more than 100 people, as is the case in much of Europe, the government said Wednesday.
With infection rates relatively low, Sweden on 1 November removed the requirement for fully vaccinated people with symptoms to get tested for COVID, but the government said it was now reversing that decision after criticism.
Swedish Health Minister Lena Hallengren said Sweden expected a surge in cases over the winter and “would not be isolated from the rest of the world. “
The vaccine pass will be mandatory for people over the age of 16 or 18 (the government has not yet done so) at events such as concerts, theaters and sporting events, but not in restaurants and bars.
Organisers who do not require the pass will be subject to other strict restrictions related to attendance and social distancing.
In the early stages of the pandemic, Sweden stood out for not imposing a lockdown and only recommending the use of masks in certain conditions where overcrowding was unavoidable.
Instead, based on non-coercive recommendations, some restrictions were introduced, adding the number of people allowed in public gatherings and restaurants, as well as early end times for bars and restaurants.
It lifted all of its restrictions in late September, as its vaccination programme progressed and case numbers were under control.
A total of 67% of Swedes are now fully vaccinated, rising to 82% of those over the age of 16, according to the Public Health Agency.
The country currently has an incidence rate of 85.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over the past 14 days, according to the World Health Organization – one of the lowest in Europe and far below that of its Nordic neighbours where cases are soaring.