Sweden's coronavirus death rate is nearly six times higher than that of neighboring Norway and Finland. Here's a look at how the countries have approached the coronavirus pandemic differently.
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Melissa WileyJul 18, 2020, 22:53 IST
Left: A pathway in Oslo, Norway, is occupied by a lone biker on April 10, 2020, as residents stay home to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Right: Swedes chat and drink outside a bar in Stockholm on April 8, 2020.Left: NTB Scanpix/Lise Aserud/Reuters; Right: Andres Kudacki/AP Photo
In recent weeks, the number of coronavirus-related deaths in Sweden has continued to climb, making its per-capita death rate six times higher than that of neighboring Norway and Finland.
Though Sweden borders and shares strong cultural ties with Norway and Finland, it has taken a much more relaxed approach to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Norway and Finland enacted country-wide lockdowns in mid-March, limiting public gatherings to five and 10 people respectively. Neighboring Swedes, meanwhile, have been free to congregate at bars and parks in groups of 50 or less.
While the uptick in Sweden's coronavirus-related deaths has prompted criticism, chief epidemiologist Anders Tegnell maintains that his country's approach will be "much more sustainable" than others in the long run.
Whether or not Norway will be able to contain the spread of the virus as it reopens remains to be seen. "We must do this little by little, and we must be very cautious," Solberg said in an April 15 conference.
Norwegian artist Stian Thorbjornsen performs in front of a family during a drive-in concert in Lillestrom, Norway, on April 9, 2020.
Lise Aserud/NTB Scanpix/Reuters
... and Norwegians can travel to their cabins again. Beginning this week, salons and other businesses that provide "one-to-one contact" can open as long as they follow sanitation guidelines.
Norwegians were able to return to their cabins near Lake Sjusjoen after the country lifted restrictions on April 20, 2020.
NTB Scanpix/Vidar Ruud/Reuters
Norwegian children in kindergarten and primary school resumed in-person classes on April 20 ...
Children play in small groups in the sandbox on the reopening day of Espira Grefsen Station Kindergarten in Oslo, Norway, on April 20, 2020.
Pierre-Henry Deshayes/Getty Images
Norway is beginning that process this week, and Finland is eyeing reopening in May.
A sign reading, "Enjoy the woods, find new paths, keep distance, keep groups small" is pictured in Oslo, Norway April 10, 2020.
NTB Scanpix/Lise Aserud via Reuters
Tegnell maintains that his country's approach will be "much more sustainable" than others in the long run by avoiding a second wave of infections that could follow the easing of lockdown measures.
People enjoy the warm spring weather at Hornstull, a trendy neighborhood in Stockholm, Sweden, on April 21, 2020.
Jonathan Nackstrand/Getty Images
Sweden's increasing number of coronavirus deaths has drawn criticism: On April 14, 22 academics penned a letter to a Stockholm newspaper calling upon officials to change course "with swift and radical measures."
People dine at an outdoor restaurant in Stockholm, Sweden, on April 20, 2020.
Anders Wiklund/TT News Agency/via REUTERS
The country even banned travel to second homes, prohibiting urban residents from self-isolating in their country cabins and instituting a fine of 15,000 kr ($1,364 USD) for anyone caught doing so.
Snow covers country houses in Vikafjellet, Norway, on April 10, 2020.
Marit Hommedal/NTB Scanpix/Getty Images
When announcing the first phase of restrictions in March, Prime Minister Erna Solberg said they were "the most far-reaching measures Norway's population has ever experienced in peacetime."
A view of the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel in Oslo, Norway, on March 25, 2020.
NTB scanpix/Lise Aserud/Reuters
Finland enacted similar lockdown measures beginning March 17, though limited public gatherings to 10 people and kept day care and pre-primary schools open.
Senate Square in Helsinki, Finland, is devoid of foot traffic on March 31, 2020.
Alessandro Rampazzo/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
The country also asked residents to stay home, shut down businesses that required close physical contact, and closed community spaces such as fitness centers, bars, and restaurants.
Anna Nohr invited neighbors to take part in a backyard quiz in Oslo, Norway, while they self-isolated at home on March 23, 2020.
Stian Lysberg Solum/NTB Scanpix/Getty Images
Norway, by contrast, went into lockdown on March 13 beginning with school closures. The following day, it advised against public gatherings of five or more people.
Children's paintings and banners with "Everything will be fine" messages taped to windows and fences in Norway on April 10, 2020.
NTB scanpix/Lise Aserud/Reuters
Sweden's approach is a product of its high-trust culture, according to chief epidemiologist Anders Tegnell. "We are more into nudging: continuously reminding people to use measures," he told Nature.
Women chat over lunch at a restaurant in Stockholm, Sweden, on April 4, 2020.
Andres Kudacki/AP Photo
While Sweden has passed a few restrictive measures, its residents have for the most part been free to live their lives.
People pictured in Stockholm, Sweden on April 11, 2020.
Anders Wiklund/TT News Agency/Reuters
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As of April 28, 2,274 people have died from the coronavirus in Sweden, making its per-capita death rate nearly six times higher than that of Norway and Finland.
Whereas Norway and Finland instituted lockdowns in mid-March and have seen their number of coronavirus deaths per capita plateau, Sweden has seen its death rate climb.
Customs and police officers are seen at the Norway-Sweden border on March 16, 2020, after Norway introduced strict border controls.
Vidar Ruud/NTB Scanpix/Reuters
Sweden has taken a far more relaxed approach to curb the spread of the coronavirus than neighboring Norway and Finland, resulting in significantly more fatalities.
People chat and drink outside a bar in Stockholm, Sweden, on April 8, 2020.
Andres Kudacki/AP Photo
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