Sweden becomes latest EU nation to lift local COVID-19 restrictions
Sweden dropped all domestic COVID-19 restrictions Wednesday, saying goodbye to the pandemic and hello to the COVID-19 endemic.

As of Feb. 9, face masks are no longer required on public transit, capacity limits are no more, proof of vaccination is not a badge of entry to eating at restaurants and fellow European tourists can travel freely to Sweden, no test or vaccination required.
"It's time to open up Sweden," Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said Feb. 3. "The pandemic isn't over, but it is moving into a new phase."
The easing of local restrictions wholly comes as the country records high infection rates with an even higher vaccination rate. Although more than 73% of Swedes are fully vaccinated, there were nearly 40,000 new COVID-19 cases last week, according to data for the week of Feb. 7 from the World Health Organization.
Additionally, Sweden will no longer offer free mass-scale COVID-19 testing to the public, instead reserving tests for specific health care workers who display symptoms, as reported by the Associated Press, which noted that "this move puts the Scandinavian nation at odds with most of Europe."
Even so, this week's events mean Sweden joins a growing list of countries deciding to transition to life as we know it in an endemic, including several in the European Union as well as Australia.
At least for now though, travelers outside of the EU, including Americans, remain prohibited from visiting Sweden until March 31.
Related: 2 popular European destinations drop testing requirement for vaccinated travelers
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Cons
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- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
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- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month

