Sweden Admits It Is Right Not To Apply Regional Quarantine Even Though The Death Rate Of COVID-19 Cases Is High

Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven defended his government's decision not to carry out a strict lockdown like many European countries have done. In fact, more than 5,800 Swedish citizens died from COVID-19.

Sweden's death toll from COVID-19 is much higher than neighboring Norway, Denmark and Finland, which have taken much stricter measures. No wonder so many people question the Swedish government's approach.

"The strategy we are taking, I believe is correct - to protect individuals, limit the spread of infection and so on," said Prime Minister Stefan Lofven in an interview with the daily Dagens Nyheter quoted by Antara, Saturday, August 22.

"What was discussed the most, and what we did differently in Sweden, is that we didn't close the schools. Now there are quite a few people who think we are right," Stefan Lofven said.

While many countries have imposed strict lockdowns, Sweden relies primarily on voluntary measures focused on social distancing, even though public gatherings are restricted and nursing homes - which have seen a large number of victims die - are quarantined.

While Sweden has seen more deaths than its neighbors, it is not as bad as Britain and Spain, which have adopted far more stringent lockdown measures.

Furthermore, while many parts of Europe recorded new cases as they gradually relaxed restrictions on travel and social interactions, Sweden has seen a decline in both infections and deaths in recent weeks.

Lofven also defended the Public Health Agency's decision not to oblige the use of face masks, as many European countries do, to fight the virus.

"What they said, and what I absolutely believe, is that they cannot be the tools we use," said Lofven.

"What is still important is maintaining social distancing, testing and tracking. All of that should be our main focus to reduce infections," he also said.