Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Sweden to ban sale of alcohol after 10pm to curb COVID-19

Sweden's prime minister says his government is planning to present a law proposal that would, effective Nov. 20, ban nationwide the sale of alcohol after 10 p.m. in bars, restaurants and night clubs in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19

Via AP news wire
Wednesday 11 November 2020 20:59 GMT
Virus Outbreak Sweden
Virus Outbreak Sweden
Leer en Español

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sweden s prime minister said Wednesday his government will present a law proposal that would ban nationwide the sale of alcohol after 10 p.m. in bars restaurants and night clubs from Nov. 20 in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Stefan Lofven said that “we are facing a (COVID-19) situation that risks becoming pitch-black” and added that Sweden “currently is risking a situation like the one we had last spring.”

Sweden has witnessed record numbers of new coronavirus infections in past weeks, which is burdening the country's health care system and intensive care wards.

“All indications point in the wrong direction,” Lofven said at a joint news conference with Social Affairs Minister Lena Hallengren.

Hallengren said that all places with a permission to serve alcohol must close 30 minutes after 10 pm, and described these places — particularly bars and night clubs — as “risk environments.”

Earlier Wednesday, the Swedish capital reintroduced a ban on visiting elderly care homes after a coronavirus spike was reported in retirement facilities in Stockholm

Sweden, which has opted to keep parts of its society open, lifted in September a national ban on visiting elderly care homes, saying the need for a restraining order there had decreased.

Overall, the country of 10 million has now reported 166,707 cases and 6,082 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

___

Follow AP pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in