CORONAVIRUS

Stockholm closes museums, galleries to halt rising virus cases

A view of Stockholm. Photo: David Mark.

Group sporting activities are also restricted. The measures are provisionally in place until November 19.

Sweden's capital is closing all of its museums and galleries and restricting group sporting activities from Sunday to fight against rising coronavirus case numbers.

Group training sessions at the city's swimming pools are cancelled, as is ice skating at the local rinks, the city government announced on Saturday.

The idea is to help Stockholm's citizens comply with health authorities' recommendations. While swimming pools and sports facilities will actually remain open, they are not to be visited.

The measures are provisionally in place until November 19.

Unusual approach

Sweden took an unusual approach to the coronavirus pandemic, with fairly permissive measures and appeals to common sense.
However, some restrictions have been put in place.

Because the infection rate has increased significantly in recent days, general recommendations have been issued for a number of regions, including on Thursday for the people in Stockholm.

People in these regions are encouraged to avoid contact with other households, as well as public transport and interior facilities such as museums, libraries and swimming pools.