SWEDEN has been cut out of a deal between Denmark and Norway to allow people to travel freely between their countries – as it recorded the highest coronavirus death rate per capita in the world this week.
In comparison to most EU countries, Sweden did not enforce a strict lockdown, with restaurants and schools for younger children remaining open.
Its Scandinavian neighbours have now banned Swedish tourists because of its higher levels of coronavirus infection.
Sweden’s death rate per capita from the disease is many times higher than the combined total of the other Nordic countries.
Under the deal, Danes can enter Norway without needing to quarantine and vice versa – from June 15.
Denmark will also welcome tourists from Germany and Iceland.
All foreign visitors will need to book at least six nights accommodation before arriving and they will not be allowed to stay in the capital Copenhagen, where most of the country’s coronavirus infections are.
Mette Frederiksen, the Danish prime minister, said: “Denmark and Sweden are at different places in relation to the epidemic.”
Norwegian PM Erna Solberg said: “We can’t open too suddenly…that would jeopardise everything we’ve accomplished.”
Denmark was the second country in Europe, after Italy, to impose a strict nationwide lockdown, on March 11.
Its quick response has been credited with keeping infections and deaths low.
According to official figures, 11,400 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Denmark, which has a population of 5.8 million, and fewer than 600 others have died.
By early April, Denmark said it had managed to control the outbreak and started returning to normal April 14.
By contrast, more than 4,000 Swedes have died from Covid-19, nearly four times the combined total of the other Nordic countries.
Swedish state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell said he hoped the country could achieve “herd immunity” this month. However a recent study showed that only 7.3 per cent of people in Stockholm, the epicentre of the epidemic in Sweden, had developed antibodies.
Ann Linde, Sweden’s Foreign Minister, said yesterday: “We are looking at the possibility of regional solutions, for example opening up the Oresund region.”
Sweden has advised all its citizens against foreign travel until July 15.
Thousands of people who commute daily between Denmark and southern Sweden are exempt from travel restrictions.
Norway announced on Thursday it would allow business travel to resume across the Nordic region from June 1.
It comes as summer holidays to Europe for Brits may be back on next month via “air bridges”.
Countries being mooted as potential destinations under the “holiday corridor” proposals include Portugal, Spain, Italy, Turkey and Greece.
