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ARE. This spring, skiing and après ski became synonymous with the spread of infections.
When Åre opens for the season, cyclists are encouraged to maintain a “bar-length distance”, as hotels and restaurants struggle to survive.
– There may be between 20 and 25 people who have to go home on Christmas Eve without working, says restaurateur Sonny Gustafsson.
Two days before Christmas Eve, Åre begins to fill with snow and skiers. In Timmerstugan, skiers can loosen their skis for lunch or have a drink on the sparse terrace with loud music.
Restaurateur Sonny Gustafsson, who runs the place, leaves his lunch service with a skeptical look. You are obviously tired of scandalous articles about the mountain world.
– You are welcome to come in and eat if you want. There is a lot of space, airy and free. Everyone is happy to make an environmental change and to be here with their families. They’re in their bubble too, says Sonny Gustafsson as snowflakes land on her hair.
Photo: CAROLINA BYRMO
“Skistar has done a great job. All the restaurants and all the guests help, so it’s a wonderful environment, ”says restaurateur Sonny Gustafsson.
Critic of the new decision
Sonny Gustafsson lives in Åre in winter and in Gotland in summer. In addition to Timmerstugan, which is located on the slope “VM6”, he also runs the Broken restaurant and Hotel Åregården. After the thirteenth day, the hotel doesn’t have a single guest booked in a month, he says.
How would you describe the past year?
– Full of challenges. That he didn’t know what laws and rules he should work with. That we constantly have to stand on tiptoe and have new balls thrown in our faces that you have to make decisions about, which affects my 100 employees.
Will you have to fire people?
– Absolutely. We have it now, but there may be 20-25 people in my company who have to go home on Christmas Eve without working.
This is a direct result of the government’s new decision that restaurants must close at 8 p.m. starting Thursday, according to Årekrögaren.
– On Friday you find out that you have to close at 20. On Saturday 14 carts with food will arrive for the entire Christmas week. All you can say is: Talk to the industry and give a little more foresight. And a four person limit … Should you divide the families then, on Christmas Eve? Or could the parents and children have eaten together? There are little things that would have made it easier for the guests and all. If you sit in the same car, you should be able to sit at the same table, says Sonny Gustafsson.
Photo: CAROLINA BYRMO
Skiers are encouraged to maintain “one bar length”.
Eight out of ten places occupied by VAT
Tourism has been important to Åre since the late 19th century, when “air tourists” were drawn to the city to breathe a sigh of relief. Up to half a million tourists visit Åredalen in a normal year. But as is well known, this is not the case. This spring, Skistar closed the entire business prematurely.
Après ski and all the club activity have been canceled. All so that it is not even close to when the corona virus took off in the Alps, when the roving hisses intensified the spread of the infection in the après-ski metropolis of Ischgl.
This past weekend, Skistar seasonal workers threw a party with about 40 people participating, which made both the company’s CEO and the region’s infection control doctor roar.
– We talk a lot about people’s own responsibility when they visit us. Not traveling here if you have a cold, isolating yourself and following the advice of the Public Health Agency and the government is a prerequisite for it to work, says Anna Fremner, acting head of primary care in the Jämtland Härjedalen Region.
Photo: CAROLINA BYRMO
“Rather, I think the risk is higher when you’re indoors, in the gym and in team sports,” says Nicklas Magnusson (right) who is here with the family.
Photo: CAROLINA BYRMO
Between 20 and 25 people may be forced to leave Timmerstugan, among other places, after Christmas Eve.
In normal cases, there are 6 to 7 intensive care units throughout the region. It has now been expanded to 10 vat sites, of which 8 are currently in use. 4 of those patients have covid-19.
In addition to the risk of spreading the infection, the region generally recommends caution.
– One concern is traumatic accidents, especially when people collide with cars. Right now we say that you should drive carefully, or not ride on the worst slopes if you don’t have the conditions. Just take less risk. When it comes to covid-19, we are at around 7-8 percent who have covid-19 among those testing. If we get a lot, like the 20 percent that other regions have, it is clear that we will be reflective, says Anna Fremner.
The region has the capacity to test 1,500 people a day.
Photo: CAROLINA BYRMO
Up to half a million tourists visit Åredalen in a typical year.
“Positively surprised”
After the first weekend, the images of meat congestion on the ski lifts elicited many reactions. Something to which Åre residents on Facebook responded with images of congestion in the Stockholm metro.
The Skistar company believes that it has a completely different preparation than last spring. Among other things, the elevator folds have been adapted, where the hosts organize how to sit remotely in the elevator. The app warns of queues and speakers are called to keep their distance.
– I think they have managed the risks well, in fact it surprises me positively. There are queues, but they have fixed it so that it has neat shapes and you can keep your distance, says skier Nicklas Magnusson who came with the Småland family.
How did you think about going this year?
– Yes, there were thoughts, but at the same time it is outdoors, and you take care of yourself. Still, we made the assessment that we dared to go. It’s probably only in après ski and those collections where the risk is higher.
A group of 18-year-olds from the city of residence Östersund who have moved here during the Christmas holidays also believe that the queuing system is well organized and generally more pleasant than usual.
– I think it’s much better. Otherwise, it’s a lot of people to turn around, go ahead and squeeze. Everyone thinks not to get too close, says Ida Roos.
Photo: CAROLINA BYRMO
Amelie Lindén, AnnaGry Lunde, Ida Roos, Olle Hallberg and William Öman, 18, are from the area and live in Åre during the Christmas holidays.
What do you think of Stockholmers and the rest of the tourists who come?
– As long as they’re not sick, they can stay here, says Olle Hallberg.
– It’s not very smart to come here. But they can do it if they want, there is nothing to stop them, says William Öman.
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