Sweden's king urges public to stay home at Easter

King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden on Sunday asked the country to stay home at Easter during a rare televised address to the nation.

Speaking from the remote Stenhammar Palace where the 73-year-old monarch is self-isolating, the king paid tribute to healthcare workers battling the outbreak that has now claimed 401 lives in the Scandinavian nation.

He said staying home was "a small sacrifice" and urged people to act responsibly.

While most European countries have adopted strict restrictions of movement and personal freedom, Sweden's strategy in fighting the pandemic appears comparatively more relaxed.

Swedish authorities have advised the public to practice social distancing, but schools, bars and restaurants are still open, and only gatherings of more than 50 people have been banned.

Over the weekend, outdoor bars and restaurants were busy, and many people flocked to parks and forests around the capital, Stockholm.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.

The vast majority of people recover.

(Picture credit: AP)