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Anti-Lockdown Sweden Admits It Has Failed In Its Coronavirus Strategy

Anti-Lockdown Sweden Admits It Has Failed In Its Coronavirus Strategy

Sweden's King says the 'people of Sweden have suffered tremendously'.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Sweden's King has explained his heartache at seeing his country's coronavirus cases sore and cause hospitals to reach breaking point.

In his annual Christmas address, Carl XVI Gustaf said Sweden had 'failed' to protect its citizens.

In a speech translated by the Financial Times: ""I think we have failed. We have a large number who have died and that is terrible.

"The people of Sweden have suffered tremendously in difficult conditions. One thinks of all the family members who have happened to be unable to say goodbye to their deceased family members. I think it is a tough and traumatic experience not to be able to say a warm goodbye."

PA

Those sentiments were backed up by Sweden's Prime Minister, Stefan Lofven, who added: "Of course the fact that so many have died can't be considered as anything other than a failure."

Sweden bucked the trend of many nations around the world and resisted the urge to introduce a nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of the virus.

Instead of putting in a lockdown, Swedes were asked to follow their civic duty by socially distancing themselves from one another. There was also no mandate to force people to wear face masks while out in public.

Bars and restaurants were allowed to remain open and many conservative commentators looked at Sweden's model as one that didn't hurt the economy.

Sweden largely escaped the first wave without the infection rate or death rate of its southern European nations, however, a second wave has wreaked havoc on the Scandinavian country.

There have been nearly 350,000 cases recorded and more than 7,800 deaths, which is much more than its neighbours. Swedish officials are now considering whether to introduce a lockdown to give some of the country's intensive care units a break, according to The New York Times.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: News