Swedish high schools to re-open on 15 June

Swedish high schools will re-open for on-site education on 15 June after having been closed since mid-March to limit the novel coronavirus outbreak in the country, the prime minister said on Friday.

"From 15 June regular teaching for high schools can return to the school premises," prime minister Stefan Lofven said, adding that municipal adult education, colleges, vocational schools and universities might have to remain closed for longer.

Sweden has opted for a more liberal approach than other European countries, keeping most schools, restaurants and businesses open throughout the pandemic.

The country has had a death toll per capita many times that of its Nordic neighbours, which imposed greater restrictions on businesses and society, though still lower than countries like Spain and Britain, which also opted for hard lockdowns.