The Moderate-led government’s investigators propose that Sweden introduces a new pandemic law – this time a permanent one.
Exactly how such a law will be designed is currently unclear – but requirements to wear masks, compulsory tests, participation restrictions and curfews are highlighted as possible scenarios.
During the 2020-2021 corona crisis, Swedish authorities rushed to pass various temporary laws and restrictions that in various ways limited citizens’ freedoms and rights – the purpose of which was allegedly to reduce the spread of infection.
Among other things, face masks were imposed in many places, parents were not allowed to accompany their children to hospitals, and elderly people were left in isolation for long periods – and were not allowed to see their relatives.
Pupils were also not allowed to go to school, travel restrictions were imposed and Swedes’ ability to participate in public gatherings, events or social life in general was severely restricted.
The powers that be also took the opportunity to introduce covid passports – a kind of “digital proof” of vaccination – where unvaccinated people were not allowed to participate in public life on the same terms as those who had been injected with the vaccine.
The COVID passport was also heavily criticized and accused of being used to discriminate against those who did not want to take the experimental vaccines and create a medical apartheid society.
Rights should not be restricted “more than necessary”
Government investigator Jan Albert is now proposing a new – and permanent – law on “community-based infection control measures”, which would reportedly allow the government to act quickly and prescribe infection control measures in the community in the event of an alleged pandemic.
While arguing that the rights and freedoms of Swedes should not be curtailed “more than absolutely necessary”, the investigator wants to see legislative changes that, among other things, make it possible to carry out more large-scale testing and tracing of infections than before.
– Society has now been able to learn many important lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure we are better prepared for future crises. This investigation is an important step in the work to strengthen our pandemic preparedness and protect people’s lives and health, said Minister for Social Affairs Jakob Forssmed (KD).
– It cannot be ruled out that Sweden will be exposed to a new pandemic; on the contrary, it is very likely, he adds.
No “total lockdown”
Despite the talk of protecting the freedoms of Swedes, the report still proposes a number of repressive coercive measures – for example, it should be possible for the authorities to shut down various activities if there is deemed to be a high risk of infection. These measures could also be introduced without first being approved by Parliament.
– You can guess that it will be about similar measures such as participation numbers and distances, says Jan Albert, but at the same time promises that there are no plans to shut down the entire society.
– We don’t have total lockdown or curfew as possible measures, he says.
Will “come back” on curfew
However, depending on how the spread of infection is assessed, it may be necessary to force Swedes to be tested – and they do not rule out introducing a requirement to wear a face mask, and the proposal is proposed to enter into force on September 1, 2026.
– This may be something that is appropriate. However, this would require assessments to be made and perhaps new knowledge to show that they are very useful, Albert continues.
– We need an infection control law that takes into account a pandemic, Jakob Forssmed states, but does not want to answer whether the Moderate-led government also wants the opportunity to issue a curfew.
– We’ll have to come back to that, he says.
The Nordic Times has written a large number of articles about the corona crisis, the criticized mass vaccination campaigns and the harmful effects of the lockdown policy – many of these can be read here.
