The regulation will apply regardless of whether or not the venues serve alcohol. Sweden has previously banned bars and restaurants from serving alcohol after 8pm, but due to a loophole in the law they have been able to remain open much longer in the evening. They now have to shut their doors completely at 8.30pm.
The Public Health Agency says that takeaways can however be ordered after 8.30pm but customers must keep at least one metre apart from each other when picking up.
At these restaurants, the maximum limit of four people per group still applies.
Sport
As well as changes to cafés and restaurants, from Monday no competitive sport below elite level will be allowed to take place. This includes single matches for children born in 2005 or later, which were previously exempt.
Advertisement
Further potential measures
The Swedish Public Health Agency is in dialogue with the business community about further limiting the number of people allowed in stores and supermarkets and about infection control measures at workplaces. It's also working to tighten the rules for sports.
How long will it last?
All the changes take effect on Monday March 1st and according to Aftonbladet, will be in place until April 11th.
Sweden has famously relied on more voluntary measures than many other countries during the pandemic, arguing that they are easier to keep in place for a longer period of time. But it has step by step tightened its restrictions in recent months, including a Pandemic Law that would allow it to close certain venues.
Non-essential public services are among the places that are currently closed in Sweden.
"After a year with this virus, we know that we must keep our distance. That's the most effective measure to curb the spread of the virus," Prime Minister Stefan Löfven told a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.
"This is not the time to relax. There must be no crowding, not at petrol stations or in shops, not anywhere."
Sweden has now seen a rising number of cases for two weeks in a row, with an incidence rate of 445 new cases per 100,000 people over the past 14 days. Some regions, like Stockholm, have introduced regional measures, including urging people to wear face masks at all times on public transport and in close-contact situations.
There have been 657,309 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Sweden to date, and 12,826 people have died after testing positive.
ANALYSIS: What would it take for Sweden to bring in a shutdown
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.