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Sweden's 'consistent approach to restrictions' saved it from second wave, expert says

Sweden's state epidemiologist stresses that achieving 'herd immunity' had never been a goal of country's strategy - Bloomberg
Sweden's state epidemiologist stresses that achieving 'herd immunity' had never been a goal of country's strategy - Bloomberg
Coronavirus Article Bar with counter
Coronavirus Article Bar with counter

Sweden's state epidemiologist has claimed that the consistency of his country's coronavirus restrictions is what has so far saved it from the surges in cases seen elsewhere in Europe.

Asked what had prevented Sweden from so far suffering a second wave like Spain's, Anders Tegnell downplayed the importance of immunity, stressing that achieving 'herd immunity' had never been a goal of Sweden's strategy.

“I'm not sure that the level of immunity in Sweden and in Spain differs very much,” he said.  “I think the main difference between Sweden and many other countries is that we have had the same kind of restrictions and recommendations in place the whole time.

“And we have a really big adherence from the population to those recommendations. And that makes a difference, that makes us hopefully less susceptible to a second wave.”

Ever since Sweden decided not to close primary and lower secondary schools, bars, restaurants, or sports clubs, Dr Tegnell has insisted that restrictions and recommendations needed to be light enough that they can be kept in place for a long period.

While he said he wasn't ruling out a spike in infections in Sweden, he argued that imposing and then lifting heavy restrictions triggered surges in infection.

“Maybe we'll have the same experience in a few weeks' time, we'll see, but as I said, I think the big difference is that Spain had a strict lockdown and then opened up again, and then you do get back to quite a lot spread of disease.”

At a separate press conference, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven announced that after the recent rise in cases, Sweden would now not lift its ban on gatherings of more than 50, or allow crowds of more than 50 at sports matches.

“The crisis is not over, far from it,” he said. “If we do the right thing now, we're going to be glad we did it later, and if we do the wrong thing, we are going to suffer for it later.”