Sweden is to close its upper secondary schools for the first time during the coronavirus pandemic in a bid to put the brakes on its second wave of Covid.
The country’s gymnasier — secondary schools which teach students aged 16 and over — will shut down from next week with all pupils being ordered to stay at home and complete their classes through online learning tools instead.
“This is being done so as to have a slowing effect on the spread of the disease,” Mr Löfven told a news conference in Stockholm.
The decision was “necessary” because of the resurgence of coronavirus across Sweden, including spikes among older teenagers, he added.
“The aim is to reduce crowding, for example on public transport. But we are also seeing a large spread of infection in this age bracket,” said Johan Carlson, head of Sweden’s Public Health Agency.
Mr Löfven urged students not to use the switch to online school as an excuse for an early Christmas holiday. He said: “I trust that you are wise, and understand that this is not an extended Christmas break. It’s not a go-ahead for parties with friends, you are still in school and should study.”
