People enjoy the sunshine by the sea in Stockholm, Sweden on June 1, 2021. From June 1, Sweden has started the first steps to ease the country's COVID-19 restrictions, meaning that restaurants can open longer, and public events can accommodate more people. (Photo by Wei Xuechao/Xinhua)

Sweden will introduce a COVID-19 vaccination pass on December 1 for public indoor events of more than 100 people, as cases rise in much of Europe, the government said Wednesday.

With infection rates relatively low, Sweden on November 1 removed the requirement for fully vaccinated people with symptoms to get tested for COVID-19, but the government said it was now reversing that decision after criticism.

Health Minister Lena Hallengren said Sweden expected to see a rise in cases during the winter and was "not isolated from the rest of the world."

The vaccination pass will be required for those over the age of either 16 or 18 - the government has yet to decide - at events like concerts, theaters and sporting events, but not at restaurants and bars.

Organizers who do not require the pass will be subjected to other strict restrictions on crowd numbers and social distancing.

In the early phases of the pandemic, Sweden stood out by not introducing a lockdown and only recommending the use of face masks in certain situations where crowding was unavoidable.

The country relied instead on non-coercive recommendations, though some restrictions were introduced.

AFP