- The government’s decision on easing the corona restrictions in the autumn, which allowed larger audiences at culture and sporting events, came out of step with the spread of infection, so that the rules were eased when the infection increased, Ekot’s review shows.
- Critics say it sent the wrong signals.
- “You signal that there is no danger, instead you should signal that it is bad because now it is on its way up,” says epidemiologist Joacim Rocklöf.
Fredrik Settergren, who is responsible for sampling in the Uppsala region, was another of those who reacted when the government eased the restrictions on cultural and sporting events:
– We communicated very clearly from here that we thought was directly inappropriate and it is clear that with the picture we had here when we saw how it actually increased from day to day, it was obvious that it was not something that was desirable for Region Uppsala part and not really understood for the rest of the country either.
The relief that would allow larger audiences for cultural and sporting events, began to be planned by the government already in August when the spread of infection was low. Despite increased spread of infection, the first step was announced at the end of September. The relief made it possible for restaurants to hold concerts with audiences larger than 50.
“So this change means that we get to grips with the illogical situation that if 200 people sit and eat at a restaurant and then a musician starts playing, all but 50 have to leave.” said Minister of Culture Amanda Lind then.
In the next step larger audiences would also be allowed at cultural and sporting events, but this decision was temporarily halted on 8 October as the spread of infection continued to increase
Two weeks later, despite the fact that the spread of infection was now increasing even faster, the relief was suddenly implemented, albeit with a lower maximum ceiling than previously planned.
“Events that can be carried out in a safe way, such as sports events or theater performances where people sit down get a limit of 300 people “, said Prime Minister Stefan Löfven.
In the weeks after the decision on the increased audience limit is made, the spread of infection increases very quickly.
Local restrictions are being introduced in more and more parts of the country and in many regions the plans for higher public ceilings are stopped before they have time to be implemented in practice.
Minister of Social Affairs Lena Hallengren think afterwards about whether it was the right decision:
– You can of course say that in retrospect. Was it necessary ?, But trying to find a way was a very longing I can say. but it did not work. It did not work then and we have a very hard time finding openings for these participant roofs even today.
She points out, however that only a few events with larger audiences were carried out.
– Only a few were implemented before this opportunity was thwarted.
Several experts that Ekot spoke to and who are critical of how the government has handled this believe that it is not the increase itself that does the great damage, but that the government for a long time on several occasions signaled that we can ease up. It can make people relax, when you really should want the opposite.
Joacim Rocklöf is an epidemiologist at Umeå University.
– Then this signal value probably comes in that you signal that there is no danger. Instead, you should signal that it is bad because now it is on its way up.
Minister of Social Affairs Lena Hallgren again.
– Yes, you can of course experience it as confusing when you put more measures on each other. At the same time, we will try to develop and adapt. My picture is not that everyone walked around and thought that you could be 300 everywhere, but that of course there were businesses that looked forward to having visitors up to 300 with these regulations.
Source: ICELAND NEWS