MAP: Which Swedish regions have stricter coronavirus measures in place?

The information below was accurate at the time of publication, but please be aware that the situation is changing fast. You can also keep up-to-date with the recommendations via Krisinformation or your region's website.

As of May 3rd, Blekinge, Gävleborg, Halland, Jämtland, Kalmar, Norrbotten, Stockholm, Södermanland, Uppsala, Västerbotten, Västernorrland, Västmanland, Västra Götaland, Örebro and Östergötland all had regional coronavirus measures in place, in addition to the recommendations which continue to apply everywhere in the country.

That includes calls in Uppsala and Östergötland for residents to go into a "personal lockdown" -- but wherever you live in Sweden, you should not be having close contact with people outside your household or closest circle.

In addition, the Dalarna and Skåne regions have issued a recommendation for all patients and visitors to wear face masks during visits to healthcare (including doctors' offices, dentists and hospitals), but they have not issued stricter recommendations that affect other parts of society.

Some regions have also put on hold relaxations announced by the Public Health Agency, for example saying that children and teenagers should not take part in sports matches or competitions, and that people who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 should not expand their circle of close contacts. 

Nationwide, everyone in Sweden should work from home if they can, and limit their close contacts to a small number of people – for example, the people you live with or a small number of friends if you live alone – among other things.

Scroll down to see what you should be doing in your region.

Blekinge (restrictions extended and tightened on May 3rd)

• Do not meet or spend time with anyone outside your own household, except at school or at work if you have a job that cannot be done from home.
• Wear a disposable face mask in indoor environments where close contact with other people cannot be avoided. This includes at all times on public transport, during healthcare visits such as at the doctor, and if necessary at the workplace (for example, if you cannot work from home). 
• If you are working at a business where a major outbreak is taking place, you are asked to avoid spending time "in the community" and to limit your social contacts. The businesses this applies to will be contacted directly by the region.
• Municipalities are advised to only hold sports training activities for children outside, and not to arrange matches for teams.
• These measures are currently in place until at least May 16th.
• You can read more on the regional website here and here

Gävleborg

• Wear a disposable face mask in indoor environments where close contact with other people cannot be avoided. This includes at all times on public transport, during healthcare visits such as at the doctor, and if necessary at the workplace, and applies to people born in 2004 or later. This does not replace the national recommendation to keep distance from others in public and to avoid close contact with people outside your close circle.
• If you are working at a business where a major outbreak is taking place, you are asked to avoid spending time "in the community" and limit your social contacts. The businesses this applies to will be contacted directly by the region.
• Avoid public places with a risk of crowding: public transport, shops and shopping centres. If you have to visit these places, keep the visit as short as possible and do it on your own if possible, not in a group or with another person. The region has also emphasised national recommendations to avoid meeting new people, and only socialise within a small circle.
• These measures are in place until further notice.
• You can read more on the regional website here.

Halland

• Wear a disposable face mask in indoor environments where close contact with other people cannot be avoided. This includes at all times on public transport, when visiting healthcare, and if necessary at the workplace or in other environments (for example if you cannot work remotely). This does not replace the national recommendation to keep distance from others in public, work from home if possible, avoid public transport if possible and to avoid close contact with people outside your close circle.  
• These measures are currently in place until further notice
• You can read more on the regional website here.

Jämtland (recommendations extended on April 29th)

• Jämtland has asked employers to increase their infection prevention efforts, specifically by: telling staff to work from home when possible and providing the right conditions for this; postpone business trips,  conferences and similar events or hold them digitally; ensure employees have the chance to keep 1.5-2 metres' distance from each other at all times including at meetings, lunch, breaks and in changing rooms; scheduling lunch and fika breaks if possible to limit the number of people.
• These measures are currently in place until at least May 17th.
• The region has also issued a reminder of the national recommendation to isolate at home and get tested for Covid-19 if you experience any symptoms, even mild ones, and that everyone in the household must stay home until a negative test result is confirmed.
• You can read more on the regional website here.

Kalmar

• Wear a disposable face mask in all indoor environments where close contact with other people cannot be avoided. This includes at all times on public transport, when visiting healthcare, and if necessary at the workplace or in other environments. This does not replace the national recommendation to keep distance from others in public, avoid public transport if possible and to avoid close contact with people outside your close circle.
• Upper secondary schools should continue carrying out distance learning at least part of the time until at least April 30th.
• Only have contact with "the people you live with, or a very few close friends outside your household".
• Avoid public places like shopping centres and shops if there is a risk of crowding. If you have to visit them, shop alone and for as brief a time as possible, during a less busy time.
• These measures are currently in place until at least May 16th and will be evaluated continuously on the basis of the spread of the virus.
• You can read more on the regional website here.

Norrbotten 

• Wear a disposable face mask in indoor environments where close contact with other people cannot be avoided. This includes at all times on public transport, when visiting healthcare, and if necessary at the workplace or in other environments. This does not replace the national recommendation to keep distance from others in public, avoid public transport if possible and to avoid close contact with people outside your close circle.  
• These measures are currently in place until further notice.
• You can read more on the regional website here.

Stockholm (recommendations last extended on April 30th)

• The region has emphasised the national recommendation to only socialise with the people you live with or, if you live alone, only with a small number of friends.
• Wear a disposable face mask in public transport at all times and in other indoor environments where close contact with other people cannot be avoided, such as in shops, at workplaces if you cannot work from home, or when visiting healthcare facilities. This does not replace the national recommendation to keep distance from others in public and to avoid close contact with people outside your close circle.
• Avoid shops and shopping centres where there is a risk of crowding. If you have to shop, wear a face mask.
• These measures are currently in place until at least May 16th.
• You can read more on the regional 1177 website here.

Södermanland

• Wear a disposable face mask in public transport at all times and in other indoor environments where close contact with other people cannot be avoided. This does not replace the national recommendation to keep distance from others in public and to avoid close contact with people outside your close circle.
• Avoid public places with a risk of crowding: public transport, shops and shopping centres. If you have to visit these places, keep the visit as short as possible and do it on your own if possible, not in a group or with another person. The region has also emphasised national recommendations to avoid meeting new people, and only socialise within a small circle, including refraining from inviting friends or family round for dinner if they are not in your immediate circle.
• If someone gets symptoms that could be consistent with Covid-19 (for example a cough, sore throat or fever), all adults and children in the same household should stay at home and avoid contact with other people. If someone tests positive for Covid-19, all adults and children in the same household should stay home and avoid contact with other people for at least a week after the test result.
• All adults on school premises should keep 1.5-2 metres distance from each other both during work and breaks.
• Avoid all unnecessary travel to, from and within the region. Necessary travel is defined as, for example, travelling to work that cannot be done remotely, travel to school, or to buy food or medicine.
• These measures are currently in place until at least May 16th.
• You can read more on the regional website here.

Uppsala

• Don't meet anyone except from the people you live with.
• Wear a disposable face mask in public transport at all times and in other indoor environments where close contact with other people cannot be avoided, for example in hairdressers and shops. This does not replace the national recommendation to keep distance from others in public and to avoid close contact with people outside your close circle. 
• Avoid all non-necessary travel to, from and within the region. Only carry out essential journeys, for example to and from a job that cannot be done from home. For these journeys, try to avoid busy times and wear a face mask.
• Avoid indoor environments with a risk of crowding, such as shops and shopping centres. If and when you have to visit them, choose a less busy time, shop alone, and keep the visit as short as possible.
• These measures are currently in place until at least May 17th.
• You can read more on the regional website here.

Västerbotten

• Wear a disposable face mask in public transport at all times and in other indoor environments where close contact with other people cannot be avoided. This does not replace the national recommendation to keep distance from others in public and to avoid close contact with people outside your close circle.
• If you work in a business where a major outbreak of Covid-19 is ongoing, avoid spending time "in the community". This means avoiding public places where you are likely to come into contact with people outside your close circle, but purchases of food and medicines can be carried out.
• Avoid places where there is a risk of crowding, for example shops and shopping centres.  If and when you have to visit them, choose a less busy time, shop alone, and keep the visit as short as possible.
• Avoid all non-necessary travel to, from and within the region.
• The region has emphasised the importance of following the national recommendation to limit the number of people you have contact with by socialising only with the people you live with or a small circle.
• These measures are currently in place until at least May 9th.
• You can read more on the regional website here.

Västmanland

• Avoid all non-necessary travel both within and outside the region.
• Avoid public places with a risk of crowding: public transport, shops and shopping centres. Shop at less busy times, spend as little time as possible in shops, and shop alone rather than with other people.
• Wear a disposable face mask in public transport at all times, during all visits to healthcare, and in other indoor environments where close contact with other people cannot be avoided, such as in shops and at hairdressers. This applies to people born in 2004 or earlier does not replace the national recommendation to keep distance from others in public, only use public transport if necessary, and to avoid close contact with people outside your close circle.
• The region has emphasised the importance of following the national recommendation to limit the number of people you have contact with by socialising only with the people you live with or a small circle.
• These measures are currently in place until at least May 16th.
• You can read more on the regional website here.

Västernorrland (Recommendations tightened from April 29th)

• Do not meet anyone you don't live with, other than in essential cases for work or school, for example if you have a job that cannot be done from home.
• Wear a disposable face mask in public transport at all times, during visits to healthcare, and in other indoor environments where close contact with other people cannot be avoided, such as at pharmacies, hairdressers, in shops and at petrol stations. This does not replace the national recommendation to keep distance from others in public and to avoid close contact with people outside your close circle.
• Avoid all non-necessary travel to, from and within the region.
• If you are working at a business where a major outbreak is taking place, you are asked to avoid spending time "in the community" and to limit your social contacts. The businesses this applies to will be contacted directly by the region.
• Adults should not carry out indoor training in groups of more than three, unless they are professional athletes.
• People who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 must follow all the same recommendations as others.
• These measures are currently in place until at least May 9th.
• You can read more on the regional website here.

Västra Götaland

• Avoid all non-necessary travel to, from and within the region.
• Avoid public places with a risk of crowding: public transport, shops and shopping centres. Shop at less busy times, spend as little time as possible in shops, and shop alone rather than with other people.
• Wear a disposable face mask in public transport at all times, during visits to healthcare, and in other indoor environments where close contact with other people cannot be avoided. This does not replace the national recommendation to keep distance from others in public and to avoid close contact with people outside your close circle.
• The region has emphasised the importance of following the national recommendation to limit the number of people you have contact with by socialising only with the people you live with or a small circle.
• These measures are currently in place until at least May 16th.
• You can read more on the regional website here.

Örebro

• Wear a disposable face mask in public transport at all times, during visits to healthcare, and in other indoor environments where close contact with other people cannot be avoided, for example in shops and pharmacies. This does not replace the national recommendation to keep distance from others in public and to avoid close contact with people outside your close circle.
• Children should not take part in sports matches or competitions. 
• These measures are currently in place until at least May 12th.
• You can read more on the regional website here.

Östergötland

• Do not meet anyone except the people you live with.
• Children should not take part in sports matches or competitions.
• People who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 must follow the same recommendations as others.
• These measures are currently in place until at least May 14th.
• You can read more on the regional website here.

Nationally

• Limit your close contacts by only having contact with a small circle of close family and/or friends; the people you live with, or if you live alone, a small number of friends. Do not meet people outside this circle, or be part of multiple circles; if you have to meet someone else, this should happen outside and at a distance.

• Always keep your distance (1.5-2 metres) from people you meet. Meet outdoors if you can, but keep distance from others even outdoors. 

• Wear a face mask in public transport between 7-9am and 4-6pm on weekdays (as well as in any situations specified by your region).

• Avoid public transport and forms of transport where you cannot book a designated seat, as much as possible. If you must travel, try to travel outside busy periods and keep a distance from others.

• If you have any symptoms of the coronavirus (such as a cold, sore throat, fever, or headache), stay at home, get a coronavirus test, and do not have contact with anyone. If someone in your family or who you have met (this is defined as spending at least 15 minutes closer than two metres to them) tests positive for Covid-19 or is awaiting a test result, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people for at least a week, get tested as soon as possible and take a second test five days later. 

• Work from home if you can. In workplaces where this is not possible, employers and individuals are responsible for keeping distance (a minimum of 1.5-2 metres between people including during work, meetings and breaks) and minimising the number of close contacts they have.

• Avoid shops and shopping centres if there is a risk of crowding, including by choosing to visit shops outside usual busy times, by keeping your visit as short as possible, and shopping alone rather than with a friend or family member.  
• If you return to Sweden from foreign travel, you have to self-isolate for at least seven days, and get tested for Covid-19 as soon as possible after arrival (only if you did not need to show a negative test to enter the country) and on the fifth day after arriving (this applies to everyone).  
• You can find out more information from the Swedish authorities at KrisInformation.se, 1177.se and are also welcome to contact us at [email protected] if you have questions.