Sweden: Following a rapid spike in the number of new Covid-19 cases, Sweden has issued tighter limitations. As on Wednesday, working from home will be the norm again, and the maximum number of participants at indoor events will be reduced to 500, according to state media reports.

Restaurants will have to close by 11 p.m. in the meantime. The requirement to provide a vaccination certificate in order to attend larger events, as well as the advise to wear face masks on crowded buses and trains, are examples of existing restrictions.

"There is no doubt that the situation has worsened," Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson stated at a press conference, "since the spread of infection in Sweden is at historically high levels." "I want to underline how important it is for everyone who can work from home to do so," she added.  The number of confirmed cases in a 24-hour period hit new highs twice last week. The Swedish King and Queen, as well as the Crown Princess and her husband, have all lately become infected.

The demand for testing has also skyrocketed, causing at least one Swedish district to transfer samples to Germany for analysis. The infection rate among vaccinated people has also risen, according to Karin Tegmark Wisell, Director-General of the Swedish Public Health Agency.

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