The government will introduce vaccination certificates for public gatherings and public events for more than 100 people from December 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This concerns, for example, theaters, concerts and sporting events - for people over 18 years of age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The measure will be presented at a press conference with the Public Health Agency and the government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The decision is scheduled to come into effect on December 1st.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
"If vaccination certificates are used, the restrictions should not apply," says Minister of Social Affairs Lena Hallengren (S).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The reason for the introduction is the risk of increased spread of infection in Sweden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201dSweden is not isolated from the rest of the world,\u201d says Hallengren.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201d"Anyone who is unvaccinated is at greater risk of spreading the infection," she continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She continues:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201d"It's tough news to give, we all want the pandemic to be over."\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The government's plan is based on a request from the Public Health Agency of Sweden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201d"The vaccination certificate is a measure we see as necessary," says the authority's Director General Karin Tegmar Wisell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She notes that Sweden has and has had a stable situation when it comes to Covid-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201dBut we can't just sit back and hope for the best,\u201d says Tegmark Wisell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sweden can expect an increased spread of infection. The authority refers to recent developments in, for example, the Netherlands, Austria and Denmark, where the strong spread of infection among unvaccinated people has also had consequences for the vaccinated part of the population, which in turn has led to an increased burden on healthcare, including intensive care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201dWe want to slow down that rise,\u201d says Karin Tegmark Wisell about the decision on vaccination certificates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Public Health Agency has also backed down from the decision that double vaccinated people with symptoms do not need to be tested for Covid-19. Testing can detect more chains of infection, the Public Health Agency states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The proof should be seen as a security for the organizers to use to fill the halls, says Minister of Culture and Democracy Amanda Lind (MP).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201dIf the organizers use vaccination certificates, they do not need to limit their event in accordance with the Public Health Agency's restrictions,\u201d says Lind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The vaccination certificate is not a requirement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201dBut those who do not use the proof will have to resort to certain restrictions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To reduce the risks of spreading infection, FHM will also develop regulations for public gatherings and public events with more than 100 people where vaccination certificates are not used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, this involves introducing rules regarding the maximum number of people per square meter and requirements for distance between groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although 12-year-olds can now be vaccinated, FHM proposes that the requirements for vaccination certificates should only apply to people over 18 years of age, citing that it is in the best interests of the children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The government and the authority began preparing for the introduction of vaccination certificates in the summer in order to be able to introduce them quickly if necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As recently as last week, Britta Bj\u00f6rkholm, head of department at the authority, said that vaccination certificates may be required as one of the first steps if restrictions need to be tightened again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201d"First, we want to reinforce the message, especially towards the unvaccinated: that they ensure that they are not in environments where there is a risk of crowding. For example, this may involve proof of vaccination," said Bj\u00f6rkholm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n