As many parts of the world attempt a return to normalcy during the ongoing battle with the Covid-19 pandemic, one nation has come up with a rather unique approach to encouraging social distancing. The Swedes have hired a troupe of Knights in shining armour to patrol local beaches and tourist hotspots in the popular Gotland area this summer, reminding holidayers to minimize the risk of the virus spreading.
Sweden has been criticized for its handling of the pandemic, never enforcing a lock-down for one example, which has led to above-average deaths per capita among wealthy nations. A major reason for this controversial approach to disease control is the Swedish constitution which “does not allow the government to declare a state of emergency. Under the Swedish constitution, freedom of movement is a fundamental right and limiting such rights requires a decision by the Swedish Parliament.”
Currently, the rates of infection in Sweden are on the decline as citizens practice social distancing and other measures voluntarily. But according to data and news reports, “the country’s mortality rate remains well above levels in the rest of Scandinavia, with more than 10 times as many COVID-19 deaths as in neighboring Norway, per 100,000.” Some health experts and economists think that Sweden’s approach may in the end be more sustainable for its population.