Sweden prepares for first partial lockdown

Malmo Sweden has threatened to impose a partial lockdown for the first time, shutting non-essential shops, gyms, restaurants and hairdressers in the hope of warding off a third wave.

The country’s government, which has earned praise and condemnation for its lighttouch approach to the pandemic, Wednesday proposed a new “lockdown decree.”

“It could become necessary to shut down parts of Swedish society,” said Lena hallengren, pictured, the health minister, as she outlined the measures, pointing to a “worrying” rise in cases, and a “significant risk of a third wave.”

The country has recorded 1,240 deaths per million people, a rate just behind that of France, and four times higher than denmark.

The “lockdown decree” will now go out to consultation, giving the Swedish parliament a week to reject or amend it.