Public Health Agency of Sweden: Ban on crowding in restaurants, cafés and bars
The new regulations of the Public Health Agency of Sweden go into effect on 25 March and mean that restaurants, bars and cafés throughout the entire country need to take special measures to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. The new regulations must be implemented in businesses that are covered by the notice in accordance with section 11 of the Swedish National Food Agency regulations (LIVSFS 2005:20) concerning food hygiene, for example restaurants, staff restaurants, bars, cafés, school cafeterias and catering activities.
Each business must ensure that the guests can keep a distance between one another. The guests may only eat and drink sitting at a table or pick up takeaway. Serving guests standing at a bar is not allowed. Takeaway can be handed over as usual as long as it takes place without crowding between people.
According to the Public Health Agency of Sweden, the person responsible for the company must also have routines for reducing the risk of spreading as much as possible.
After consultation with the municipality, the infection control physician can make decisions on prohibiting companies that do not comply with the requirements.