Everyone is waiting for news about how Christmas can be celebrated this year. Is it possible to travel to family or the mountains?
The Public Health Agency aims to provide an announcement next week.
From December 14, the same rules to limit the spread of infection will apply throughout the country. The Public Health Agency of Sweden is working feverishly to replace the local general advice that is currently in effect, and to develop recommendations for the Christmas and New Year holidays.
There are many contacts with infectious disease control doctors, regions, county administrative boards and others concerned. The aim is to be able to present the new rules on Thursday next week, according to information to TT.
Legally, it is not possible to ban travel, but several regions are currently advising against unnecessary travel. What FHM is now working on is a milder form of regulation and advice.
Since people are assumed to want to travel at Christmas, it is more sustainable to ensure that travel can take place in as planned and safe a manner as possible, the reasoning goes.
For example, driving for those who can afford it, thinking about how to get home if you get sick, so that the healthcare system is not burdened, not socializing with new social contacts and generally getting everyone to take responsibility.
Nothing has been decided yet. The infection situation must be constantly considered, relevant stakeholders consulted, and the government may also have views.
FHM has had discussions with the ski counties in particular regarding Christmas trips. In Dalarna, deputy infectious disease physician Helena Ernlund says that they are concerned about the spread of the infection.
”"But we are working on the basis that people will come, so we are preparing in every way, for example with increased testing. And we are having discussions with businesses at the ski resorts so that they can isolate sick staff, for example," she says.
Today, Dalarna advises against unnecessary travel within the region. And from a strict infection control perspective, it would be helpful if travel restrictions remained in place, the infection control physician believes.
”"If it's like now or worse, it's absolutely not good to travel between regions," says Helena Ernlund.
In another winter tourism county, Jämtland, the chairwoman of the regional board, Eva Hellstrand, hopes that ski tourists will be able to come.
”"If you travel in your own car, with your own family to your own cottage or apartment, it's still in a limited group. We would like those types of opportunities to remain," says Eva Hellstrand.
Aren't you worried that healthcare doesn't have the capacity to take care of visitors from other regions?
”"We assume, if possible, that those who travel actually take that into consideration. If you have met someone who you know is infected, then you don't travel. Then you stay in your usual environment. We must try to have that trust in each other," says Eva Hellstrand.
Source: TT
