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Sweden has closed the border for incoming flights from the UK.
But there are loopholes: here are Londoners’ tricks to get home.
– It is up to everyone to take responsibility for not increasing the spread of infection, says Adriana Haxhimustafa, Acting Press Secretary of Mikael Damberg.
On December 21, Sweden introduced a ban on flights from the UK to counter the spread of the infection in society, especially with regard to the British variant of the virus that has taken hold in the UK. The flight ban has been extended until December 31, making it difficult for Swedes who are in the country to return.
But there are roads despite the ban.
About 100,000 Swedes live in London. In a Facebook group, Swedes in London give each other advice on most things. Right now: how to get home.
From Kastrup over the bridge
The most recommended route is to fly to Denmark and from there travel to Sweden. Many travel via Copenhagen, as there are no stopovers from the UK to Denmark. Swedes in London can fly to Kastrup and then travel further to Sweden.
The requirement is to have a valid ticket showing that you are going directly to Sweden from Denmark.
“It seems that it depends a bit on each airline if it is canceled or not when it comes to Denmark at the moment, so there is probably no guarantee of anything,” writes a London-based Swede on the Facebook group, which he himself achieved with his trip.
Stopover in Amsterdam and Paris
Another possible itinerary is through Amsterdam or Paris.
French and EU citizens traveling to France from the UK. The requirement is to be able to present a negative covid proof of the last 72 hours before departure. From Paris you can fly to Sweden.
You can also get to Amsterdam from London and then fly to Sweden from there.
Traveling from the UK to the Netherlands also requires a negative pcr test from the last 72 hours before departure.
“It depends on everyone”
Many people contact the Swedish embassy in London if they have questions about traveling to Sweden.
– Since the flight ban was introduced on December 21, we have received more than 1,000 calls and emails, writes Åsa Höjer, Press and Communications Manager at the Swedish Embassy in London.
Explain that what the embassy can do is inform about what applies and explain the regulations.
When asked if it is really appropriate to leave the country in view of the infection status, Åsa Höjer replies that the embassy urges people living in or visiting the UK to stay informed and follow the instructions of the authorities.
Aftonbladet has asked Home Secretary Mikael Damberg for a comment on whether it is appropriate for Swedes to enter from the UK through other countries.
– If a plane lands on Swedish soil, Sweden will not deny Swedish citizens entry into the country. It is up to everyone to take responsibility for not increasing the spread of the infection, says Adriana Haxhimustafa, Mikael Damberg’s acting press secretary.
On Monday, state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell commented on the possibility of Swedes in the UK reaching Sweden via Denmark, then repeated the authority’s recommendation to all travelers to undergo sampling and self-quarantine.
“Our recommendation for infection control not only applies to those who have traveled by plane, it also applies to everyone who comes,” Tegnell told TT.
The flight ban applies to all flights from the UK and currently lasts until December 31.
The government has also issued a travel ban for British people who are not allowed to enter Sweden regardless of route.
Swedish citizens in the UK are not covered by the travel ban, only the ban on flights between countries, and can therefore enter the country in other ways.
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