373 have died of COVID-19. Stockholm activates crisis accord. Televised speech by the Swedish king on Sunday. Löfven: Stay home at Easter. Travel advice extended to June 15. Almedalsveckan canceled.
373 have died of COVID-19
Sweden now has over 6,000 known cases of the corona virus. As of April 4, 40 new deaths have occurred in the past 24 hours and a total of 373 people have now died of COVID-19. It is still the elderly that suffer the worst, with more reports of infected men than women. Nationally, a third of the country's intensive care units are still vacant, according to Johanna Sandwall in crisis management at the National Board of Health and Welfare.
Stockholm activates crisis accord
The crisis situation agreement for intensive care personnel has been activated in the Stockholm region, Sweden's Municipalities and Regions (SKR) announced in a press release. The Stockholm Regional Board requested that the accord be activated earlier in the week, requiring intensive care personnel to increase their working hours to 48 per week, and that staff receive more than double their salaries.
Televised speech by the Swedish king on Sunday
On Sunday evening, Swedish television will broadcast a speech to the nation by Carl XVI Gustaf on the corona pandemic. The King's greeting will be broadcast on SVT1 and in SVT Play at 1:20 p.m. EST (7:20 p.m. local time) from Stenhammar Castle in Södermanland where the king and queen have been for some time. H.R.H. Carl XVI Gustaf has in earlier interviews stressed the importance of listening to the experts and the authorities first: “They are the ones who have it all together, the information and overview to make the best judgment.”
Löfven: Stay home at Easter
Prime Minister Stefan Löfven repeats what he has said many times: "Don't travel for Easter. Stay at home and indoors.” He says, "The danger is not over. It gets worse before it gets better. It is not a time to relax and stop listening to advice and guidelines.” The prime minister underscores the importance of endurance: "It will not be over in a few weeks, but rather months.”
Travel advice extended to June 15
UD, the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, extends its recommendation to abstain from unnecessary travel to all countries for another two months, until June 15. Those who intend to return to Sweden in the relatively near future should consider returning as soon as possible. Those who are traveling should keep "close contact" with both airlines and travel and insurance companies.
Almedalsveckan canceled
The Gotland Region has decided to cancel this year's edition of the Political Week at Almedalen in Visby. The reason is the recommendations by the Public Health Authority. The decision to cancel the Almedals week, which would have taken place at the end of June and early July, has been made in consultation with the parliamentary parties.
H&M sales plummeted by 46 percent
Of H&M's 5,065 stores around the world, 3,778 closed due to the corona pandemic. Sales decreased by 46 percent in March compared to March last year. CEO Helena Helmersson states H&M has never gone through anything comparable to its present situation.
The Swedish King, Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia are meeting with court officials via video link from Stenhammar Castle. Photo: Kungliga Hovstaterna
Prime Minister Stefan Löfven recently announced the government's decision not to ease the restrictions and recommendations on public meetings. Löfven on Swedish TV already on March 22: “There are few moments in life when you have to make sacrifices, not just for your own sake, but for your surroundings, your fellow human beings and for our country. That moment is now. That day is here. "
