"It is a myth
that life goes on as normal in Sweden," said the country's foreign
minister Ann Linde on Friday, defending the government's COVID-19 response. Sweden has come in
for criticism because its measures to stop the spread of coronavirus are less
strict than many other countries in Europe.
It has banned large
gatherings, closed high schools and universities and told elderly people to
self-isolate. But restaurants, bars, primary schools and most businesses are
still open, which brings into question Linde's claim.
Journalist Mie
Olsen went to Malmö to see for herself on Saturday. "At first
sight, Malmö offers evidence to support Linde's assertion," she writes.
"There are few people walking the streets near the main square,
Stortorget. Bars have cancelled live events and public notices thank people for
keeping their distance.
"Swedes in
Malmö feel COVID-19 has disrupted public life but that it should not stop them
from relaxing in the streets and enjoying themselves with a cold
refreshment." Sweden has
registered more than 1,500 COVID-19 deaths, at the time of writing. More than a
third have occurred within the last week.
Despite the recent
surge, state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell has stood firm on the government's
strategy of achieving herd immunity.