STOCKHOLM — In response to the worsening of the coronavirus situation in the country, the government of Sweden on Tuesday announced new and improved restrictive measures.

"The pandemic is still ongoing," Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said at a press conference. "We see an increased spread of infection and in parts of the world, this development is worrying. In Sweden (it is) still at low levels."

According to a slide showing the cumulative incidence over 14 days that was presented, Sweden is preceded by most other European countries. Also, only six cases of Omicron, the variant first detected in South Africa, have been confirmed in a population of 10.4 million. The authorities, however, fear that the situation will worsen in Sweden as well.

"We estimate that the situation will deteriorate over time, similar to what we see in Europe, and it is unclear how Omicron will develop," Karin Tegmark Wisell, director-general of the Swedish Public Health Agency, said at the same press conference.

The first measures will enter into force on Dec. 8. These will include a recommendation to avoid crowds and refrain from using public transport during rush hour. Face masks should also be worn on public transport. Employers are urged to encourage work from home.

The qualifying period deduction will once again be abolished when individuals stay at home due to illness.

"We need to make it easier for people to stay home in case of illness. These benefits will be in force between Dec. 8 and March 31, 2022," Finance Minister Mikael Damberg said.

The reintroduced measures are part of a three-step strategy, in which increasingly strict measures and recommendations can be introduced should the situation deteriorate and increase pressure on hospitals.

The government, therefore, announced a plan to expand the use of vaccination certificates if necessary.

Since Dec. 1, most organizers of public events with more than 100 participants check vaccination certificates to avoid having to implement more cumbersome measures, such as enforcing distancing between groups.

Under the new plan, vaccination certificates may also be required for smaller gatherings and for visiting restaurants and gyms.

According to statistics released by the Swedish Public Health Agency on Tuesday, 7,412 new infections and seven deaths have been recorded since Dec. 3. The cumulative number of deaths stood at 15,177.

By Tuesday, 79.8 percent of the population aged 12 and older had received at least two vaccine doses, and 17.4 percent of those aged 18 and older three doses. — Agencies