Sweden’s government is recommending wearing face masks on public transport during the rush hour, reversing its earlier Covid guidance. It will also cut from the current eight to four per table the number of people sitting together in restaurants, and ban alcohol sales after 20:00. PM Stefan Löfven unveiled the measures, which will take effect soon.

Elsewhere in Europe, Italy and Austria are the latest countries to be placed in lockdowns over the Christmas period. Sweden, which has never imposed a full lockdown, has seen nearly 360,000 cases and 8,000 deaths – many more than its Scandinavian neighbours.

The country had previously been one of only a few nations not to recommend masks in public outside of healthcare settings. This is despite strong recommendations given by the World Health Organization (WHO).

On Thursday, Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf said the Scandinavian nation “failed” to save lives with its relatively relaxed approach to the coronavirus outbreak. The monarch made the remarks as part of an annual TV review of the year with the royal family.

Instead of relying on legal sanctions, Sweden appeals to citizens’ sense of responsibility and civic duty, and issues only recommendations. There are no sanctions if they are ignored.