Sweden launches coronavirus inquiries

Country to analyse cost of avoiding lockdown after thousands of deaths

After a bruising four months of domestic and international criticism, Sweden’s government has commissioned two inquiries into the country’s decision not to go into lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic and an audit of the nation’s preparedness.

At the end of June, Sweden’s prime minister, Stefan Löfven, announced the decision to establish a corona response commission to take an overall look at the country’s fiercely debated approach and lead the two inquiries. He said that Sweden’s ability to bring its entire community together was one of its greatest strengths, but that the crisis had also highlighted shortcomings. “We have thousands of dead,” he said. “Now the question is how Sweden should change, not if.”