The Swedish government is lifting all anti-COVID restrictions from Wednesday, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said this week.

The pandemic is not over yet, but is entering a completely new phase, she noted.

This decision is explained by the high level of vaccination in Sweden. It is also justified by the fact that fewer people in the country become seriously ill and end up in intensive care units. In addition, experts now know more about the COVID-19.

According to the prime minister, infection rates will remain high for some time, but the most severe consequences of the infection, apparently, are behind us.

From February 9, the public is not encouraged to get tested for COVID-19, but simply stay at home in case of cold symptoms.

Due to the spread of the infection, since January 19, the number of participants in public events has been limited to five hundred, all of them must present vaccination certificates. For private meetings, the limit was set at 20 people. Since December, catering establishments have been closed no later than 11pm local time.

The Swedish authorities are also lifting the ban on entry into the country. From Wednesday, residents of the Nordic countries, the EU and the European Economic Area can enter the kingdom without covid passports. For the rest of the countries, the entry ban has been extended until March 31, in line with EU recommendations for entry from third countries, the government office said in a statement.

According to the Swedish health authority, the autumn vaccination against COVID-19 has led to a further increase in the number of people with antibodies. The results of seroepidemiological studies conducted in November and December showed that their share is already 85% of the total population of the country.