Today in Sweden: A round-up of the latest news on Monday

500 people protest against Covid-19 measures in Sweden's major cities

On Saturday around 300 people joined protests against Covid-19 restrictions in Stockholm, according to police, along with around 200 in Malmö and 60 in Gothenburg. Of those, 30 were removed from the area or taken into police custody.

Protestors demonstrated against measures such as a ban on public events over eight people and an 8.30pm closing time for bars and restaurants.

"We were well prepared," Stockholm police's deputy commanding officer told the TT newswire. Police in Gothenburg and Malmö both said they were satisfied that there had been no violence at the protests, leading to a better outcome than some of the scenarios they had prepared for.

Swedish vocabulary: protestor – demonstrant (plural: demonstranter)

Demonstrators in Malmö carried hearts, with signs relating to 5D conspiracy theories as well as banners saying 'freedom before safety'. Photo: Johan Nilsson / TT

Man jailed for fake Covid-19 certificate

A man who tried to check in at Stockholm's Arlanda Airport with a fake Covid-19 test result has been sentenced to 14 days in prison and a fine of 800 kronor, paid to Sweden's crime victim fund.

"The man was going to travel and then the check-in staff were aware that the certificate did not look quite right. The QR code could not be scanned," Pia Frödeberg, the leader of the preliminary investigation. She said the case, relating to a man aged 26, was likely the first that led to a court conviction.

Many foreign arrivals to Sweden must present a negative Covid-19 test result in order to cross the border into the country, though there are exceptions for Swedish citizens and residents, for example. Travellers leaving Sweden instead need to comply with the entry rules for the country they are travelling to and airline they are travelling with.

Swedish vocabulary: fake/false – falsk

• EXPLAINED: How exactly does Sweden’s new Covid test requirement for travellers work?

Photo: Stina Stjernkvist / TT 

Changes to how Sweden will carry out vaccinations

The Swedish Public Health Agency has extended the gap between the first and second doses of Covid-19 vaccines to up to six weeks, meaning it will focus on giving a first dose to as many people as possible before administering second doses.

At the same time as recommending a longer gap between doses, the public health agency said it wanted regions from March 19th to increase their focus on vaccinating the elderly, prioritising them above care and healthcare staff. Previously this was not an explicit priority, with both over-65s and healthcare staff included in the current second phase of vaccinations, along with some other risk groups.

Swedish vocabulary: first dose – första dos

This week's weather: Has spring sprung?

According to the Swedish meteorological definition, spring has already arrived in most of the country, but the past two weeks have seen a drop in temperatures.

That's set to change with a warm front moving eastwards on Monday, and temperatures over 10C expected on Tuesday and Wednesday in most of the country, including Norrland, and higher double digits further south.

Swedish vocabulary: spring warmth – vårvärme