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Swedish Headlines
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COVID-19: Not Even Sweden is Spared
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By Peter Berlin ince the onset of Covid-19 in March, Sweden’s lenient approach to fighting the pandemic has backfired badly. Shops, restaurants, bars, schools and gyms have largely remained open and social distancing and wearing masks has been voluntary. Following the rise of the second wave, the rate of coronarelated deaths has risen sharply, and hospitals in some regions are having to postpone elective procedures in order to accommodate an influx of critically ill patients.
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It’s alright for some
oliticians and senior civil servants never cease to surprise. Our Canadian readers will have heard about a recent slew of resignations within the Canadian federal and provincial governments. People in leadership positions have been taken to task after enjoying vacations abroad during the Christmas holiday period – and this in spite of their own governments’ admonitions against non-essential travel while COVID-19 is rife. Dan Eliasson, Director General of the Swedish Civil Contingency Service, is stepping down from his position for similar reasons. During the past five months he has travelled – not once but twice – to the Canary Islands on holiday despite official advice against unnecessary travel. He had also omitted to inform his boss, Interior Minister Mikael Damberg about his planned trips. When returning to Stockholm at Christmastime following his latest journey, news reporters were waiting for him at the airport.
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Swedish Press | February 2021 6
On January 8, the Swedish government imposed new and stricter rules of behaviour in order to curb the spread of the virus. The number of people allowed to attend stores, gyms, pools and public as well as private
events is limited. Only one customer is allowed in stores per 10 square meters of store floorspace. The new rules are legally binding, and violators can be fined – although the level of fines has yet to be determined.
Daily New Cases as of January 13
Novel Coronavirus Daily Cases
From Recommendations to Rules
Daily new cases in Sweden. Source: www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/sweden/
To avoid their scrutiny, he arranged to be escorted out of the airport through a VIP exit at a cost of SEK 8,000 which he passed on to the Service. Eliasson’s actions are particularly eye-watering since his Service is in charge of Sweden’s crisis preparedness operations. He has been made to resign from his current position and take up another job within the Ministry (while retaining his current salary).
he current surge in the number of COVID-19 victims has caused the general public in Sweden to lose faith
in their government. The search is on for scapegoats. A prime candidate is the Health Minister Lena Hallengren who is facing increasingly frequent calls to resign. Another potential target is Johan Carlson, Director of the Public Health Agency, except that he is scheduled to retire anyway in a few months’ time. Lastly, there is State Epidemiologist Anders Tegnell who has been a central player in defining and defending Sweden’s unorthodox coronavirus policies. But playing the blame game does not come naturally to Swedes, which may explain the scattergun approach taken by political opposition leaders and news media.
Dan Eliasson, Director General of the Swedish Civil Contingency Service
Johan Carlson, Director General, Public Health Agency of Sweden
More resignations in the pipeline?
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Lena Hallengren, Minister for Health and Social Affairs. Photo: Kristian Pohl
Anders Tegnell, State epidemiologist, Public Health Agency of Sweden
