![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UNI6LKN6UFXGVGE56FX5IYVS3Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=7941f1a7928dcf13efa3cb3aafbdff27080db5c0618d19b0f37cb4a9b301193a&width=400&height=225)
Daily commuters arrive on the metro at Stockholm's central station. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LMI5JDP7XAL4JBXWIQ3QRMOHUQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=6a67bba3deb31bddcb5359aa4705fa5c4dc061d7d95786f026d4f07f0827ec3e&width=400&height=225)
A woman wearing a face shield is handed a Covid-19 self-test at a sampling site in a car park at Svagertorp station in Malmo, Sweden. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WGSG5S2OZU6M3Z2EMXP3E22STU.jpg?smart=true&auth=7d6d0254f1ec731d591fb4fd4cd900aa0ba38dcae1467a13c7574203d537e967&width=400&height=225)
People strollIing in the cold but sunny weather pass a sign asking to maintain social distancing in Stockholm. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZWIC2OUEC6BLDEV3U3VNS3UF54.jpg?smart=true&auth=9ceb8abf0693c17bf090d21d1ab6d7519b5368deabb621f7b61ddb3dc646bb1f&width=400&height=225)
Taxi driver Nilofar Pegah collects covid tests in Solna. She delivers self tests to between 20 to 30 homes every day. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OA3C5YV7U4VVPVQGX3DTAE57ZE.jpg?smart=true&auth=1ce6b305014ae1fc20e7f0ae6811054e06f3154b3e3d508fb78b396ef6ee1f22&width=400&height=225)
Daily commuters wait for the metro in Solna near Stockholm. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CTY6XMPY4F2XMNRKGE5FVGA35A.jpg?smart=true&auth=4840ae328925c0f2c7e463fd3593e68a2fd584b08e7459dece3150ef7a5ba9a2&width=400&height=225)
The national Swedish flags fly on top of commuter ferries in Stockholm. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/R5XKGAZVM6TXAFCS2U2CHDYM5I.jpg?smart=true&auth=b7651ebd8cb61450e4f123764632bdc31d1b793b32361c759cbf3bec9165e834&width=400&height=225)
Pedestrians cross an intersection in the heart of Stockholm. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IW4KWTM6A7MTH2VXFL5NMM27YE.jpg?smart=true&auth=ea9ea581019ead3117385c9a30fd095def8df38422e5d8dd87887eaef54c74c2&width=400&height=225)
People walk past shops under Christmas lights in Stockholm. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UNI6LKN6UFXGVGE56FX5IYVS3Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=7941f1a7928dcf13efa3cb3aafbdff27080db5c0618d19b0f37cb4a9b301193a&width=400&height=225)
Daily commuters arrive on the metro at Stockholm's central station. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LMI5JDP7XAL4JBXWIQ3QRMOHUQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=6a67bba3deb31bddcb5359aa4705fa5c4dc061d7d95786f026d4f07f0827ec3e&width=400&height=225)
A woman wearing a face shield is handed a Covid-19 self-test at a sampling site in a car park at Svagertorp station in Malmo, Sweden. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WGSG5S2OZU6M3Z2EMXP3E22STU.jpg?smart=true&auth=7d6d0254f1ec731d591fb4fd4cd900aa0ba38dcae1467a13c7574203d537e967&width=400&height=225)
People strollIing in the cold but sunny weather pass a sign asking to maintain social distancing in Stockholm. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZWIC2OUEC6BLDEV3U3VNS3UF54.jpg?smart=true&auth=9ceb8abf0693c17bf090d21d1ab6d7519b5368deabb621f7b61ddb3dc646bb1f&width=400&height=225)
Taxi driver Nilofar Pegah collects covid tests in Solna. She delivers self tests to between 20 to 30 homes every day. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OA3C5YV7U4VVPVQGX3DTAE57ZE.jpg?smart=true&auth=1ce6b305014ae1fc20e7f0ae6811054e06f3154b3e3d508fb78b396ef6ee1f22&width=400&height=225)
Daily commuters wait for the metro in Solna near Stockholm. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CTY6XMPY4F2XMNRKGE5FVGA35A.jpg?smart=true&auth=4840ae328925c0f2c7e463fd3593e68a2fd584b08e7459dece3150ef7a5ba9a2&width=400&height=225)
The national Swedish flags fly on top of commuter ferries in Stockholm. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/R5XKGAZVM6TXAFCS2U2CHDYM5I.jpg?smart=true&auth=b7651ebd8cb61450e4f123764632bdc31d1b793b32361c759cbf3bec9165e834&width=400&height=225)
Pedestrians cross an intersection in the heart of Stockholm. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IW4KWTM6A7MTH2VXFL5NMM27YE.jpg?smart=true&auth=ea9ea581019ead3117385c9a30fd095def8df38422e5d8dd87887eaef54c74c2&width=400&height=225)
People walk past shops under Christmas lights in Stockholm. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UNI6LKN6UFXGVGE56FX5IYVS3Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=7941f1a7928dcf13efa3cb3aafbdff27080db5c0618d19b0f37cb4a9b301193a&width=400&height=225)
Daily commuters arrive on the metro at Stockholm's central station. AFP
How 'sad' Sweden can learn from neighbouring Norway to stem the tide of Covid-19
Sweden recorded 360 deaths in the past 10 days, higher than Norway’s entire toll since the start of pandemic
![Neil Murphy](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2Fbbfa4928-39b4-46b0-af7f-7416c61294c8.png?smart=true&auth=912c92a7a067110331cea5ca5e5883f656912bdbba05c09eed2ffbe0b324c8d1&width=70&height=70)
Neil Murphy
05 December, 2020
- Listen In English
- Listen In Arabic