The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will not support a special regime for Strömstad affected by the crisis – E24

– We know the situation in Sweden very well, but now we find ourselves in a situation that requires stronger measures. Europe is in the red and the evolution in Norway is not good. Therefore, it has been absolutely necessary to implement measures to reduce the risk of infection, writes Secretary of State Marte Ziolkowski (H) in an email to NTB.

The pandemic and the disruption of cross-border trade between Norway and Sweden have driven Strömstad in northern Bohuslän into a deep crisis. With the exception of short periods, the border has been closed since last spring.

In one year, unemployment in the township has risen by 75 percent and Mayor Kent Hansson believes it is just the beginning.

– These are between 1,500 and 2,000 people who have now been notified of layoffs or have been laid off. There are more than 20 percent of the healthy population in the township, Hansson says.

Many companies now feel compelled to report layoffs, he says.

Ask Norway for a special solution

– The economic crisis has hit Strömstad harder than other municipalities, says Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Hallberg.

On Wednesday he participated in a digital meeting with representatives of the municipality and the business community.

– We have tried every conceivable measure. What we can do is keep working to reopen the borders, says Hallberg.

She says that the Swedish authorities hope that Norway can open up to a special solution, as is the case in Tornedalen, where Finland has opened the borders for those who live in the border municipalities.

– For that I have tried to work and press. But until now, Norway has chosen to view the border closure as an effective way to stop the infection. We don’t think it is, Hallberg says.

– Different approach

However, the Foreign Ministry does not want to allow that.

– Norway and Sweden have taken a slightly different approach to the pandemic. One consequence for us is the travel restrictions that affect individuals, families, institutions and businesses on both sides of the border. This is unfortunate, but the infection situation makes it necessary, says Ziolkowski.

She emphasizes that the border is not closed, but that there is a requirement of a ten-day quarantine after arrival in Norway.

– Now we have to think about infection control and see the effect of the measures before we can make changes.

Extra exposed

The introduction of a 10-day quarantine affects all municipalities with cross-border trade, but Strömstad is particularly vulnerable. The reason is that the city has a particularly large tourism industry. Many companies used to place their meetings and encounters halfway between Gothenburg and Oslo. Now this industry is also on fire.

The meeting also discussed the social and emotional consequences of the border closure.

– It is important to raise these issues in contact with the other Nordic governments. It is about the union or lack of union of people. I felt how difficult the situation was. It will be easier for me to get the message across after this, Hallberg says after the meeting.

Ziolkowski emphasizes that the Norwegian authorities have also raised the issue.

– We have a good and close dialogue with Sweden, also on this subject. Prime Minister Erna Solberg has discussed the situation with Prime Minister Löfven on several occasions, and it was also during Anna Hallberg’s visit to Oslo on September 30.