Omicron Variant COVID Alert, Sweden Requires Immigrants To Have Vaccine Cards When Passing

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JAKARTA - Sweden will require immigrants from other Nordic countries to have a vaccine card when crossing the country's borders. Sweden is gradually tightening restrictions due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases and concerns over the Omicron variant.

"The new variant of Omicron makes it difficult for (us) to predict how things will develop. In Sweden, we are in a relatively better position, but even here infections and the burden on the health care system are increasing," Health Minister Lena Hallengren told a conference. press on Thursday, December 16 reported by Reuters via Antara.

Sweden recorded a spike in new infections in recent days and reimposed a number of restrictive measures. Authorities say further steps will be needed if infections continue to rise.

The expansion of the vaccine card rule to cover the Nordic countries, which until now was the only region not covered by the requirement, will go into effect on December 21, 2021.

Authorities also warned tighter restrictions might be announced next week when Sweden's Public Health Agency publishes an update on how they see the pandemic developing in the future.

"We need to be prepared for a deteriorating situation. We may present further measures next week to slow the spread of the infection," said Public Health Chief Karin Tegmark Wisell.

The Swedish government has drawn up a three-tier roadmap in response to the rise in COVID-19 infections.

A number of measures have been taken and the authorities are preparing to expand the COVID-free card rule to public spaces such as restaurants.

Earlier this week, Norway tightened COVID restrictions in a bid to limit the spread of the Omicron variant amid record numbers of infections and hospitalizations. Denmark has also reimposed many of the restrictions, including closing primary schools in the run-up to Christmas.