The Government’s work in response to the virus responsible for COVID-19

Today the Government is presenting an extensive investment in global health totalling more than SEK 2.5 billion to increase access to COVID-19 vaccines, prevent and manage the risk of corruption and counter displacement effects on health systems in the world’s poorest countries.

The Government intends to introduce new financial support to organisers of events planned for period July–December 2021 that cannot be held or must be greatly limited due to the restrictions resulting from the spread of COVID-19. The proposal means that the State will cover part of the financial risk. The design of the support is currently being prepared at the Government Offices, and the Government intends to present the details at a later date. This is based on an agreement between the government parties, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party.

The Government proposes allocating an additional SEK 1.02 billion to mitigate the economic impact of the spread of COVID-19, to facilitate a restart of activities once the situation allows and to contribute to gender-equal and equitable sports activities. The proposal is based on an agreement between the government parties, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party.

The Government proposes that the area of culture be allocated an additional SEK 1.28 billion for emergency support and incentives in 2021 to mitigate the economic impact of the spread of COVID-19 and to facilitate a restart of activities once the situation allows. The proposal is based on an agreement between the government parties, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party.

Resilience in the Swedish economy is strong and the recovery will gather strength in the second half of 2021. As activity increases, the labour market will also gain strength. Despite this, the situation remains serious, especially for those whose position in the labour market is weak. This is clear from the Ministry of Finance’s most recent forecast, presented today by Minister for Finance Magdalena Andersson.

On 8 april the Government adopted an ordinance on rent rebates for certain vulnerable sectors for the period 1 January–31 March 2021. The adopted ordinance means that the rebate scheme enters into force and can be applied for as of 3 May. The decision follows directly from the approval of the rebate scheme by the European Commission last week and is based on an agreement between the governing parties, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party.

In January this year, the Government announced that the State aid to businesses that rent properties would be reintroduced for the first quarter of 2021. As a result of the increased community transmission and the negative economic impact on many businesses, the Government now also proposes that this rent rebate be extended for the period 1 April–30 June 2021. The Government’s proposal is based on an agreement between the government parties, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party.

The Government has decided to extend the general entry ban for foreign citizens who cannot present a negative COVID-19 test result on arrival in Sweden until 31 May 2021. A temporary ban on non-essential travel to the EU via Sweden, introduced following a call from the European Council and the European Commission, has been in effect since March 2020. Since February it also includes a requirement of a negative COVID-19 test result for entry into Sweden. The ban includes certain exemptions. To travel to Sweden from countries outside the EU/ EEA, you must be covered by at least one of the exemptions from the entry ban and also be able to present a negative COVID-19 test or be exempt from the test requirement. A separate entry ban with a testing requirement for entry from EEA states and certain other states has also been in force since February. To travel to Sweden from EEA states and certain other states, you must be able to present a negative COVID-19 test or be exempt from the test requirement.

On 31 March 2021, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs decided to extend its advice against non-essential travel to countries outside the EU/EEA/ Schengen area/ United Kingdom. The decision remains in effect until 31 May 2021.

At midnight last night, the extension of the general entry ban entered into force. The requirement to present a negative COVID-19 test result remains in place for entry from all countries. At the same time, the separate entry restrictions on travel from Denmark and Norway were also lifted. The requirement to present a negative COVID-19 test result also applies for entry from these countries. The entry ban has been extended until 31 May.