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Airlines suspend flights between Sweden and the UK

The Local Sweden
The Local Sweden - [email protected]
Airlines suspend flights between Sweden and the UK
An SAS and Norwegian planes are pictured at Arlanda airport, north of Stockholm. Jonathan NACKSTRAND / AFP

All commercial flights between Sweden and the UK will be suspended from the afternoon of Thursday 9th April until further notice, according to The British Embassy in Sweden.

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The Embassy has advised anyone living in the UK who wishes to return to Sweden, to arrange their journey now. 

On their Twitter feed, the British Embassy suggested people should check their airline’s website for the latest schedule and information on flight availability.

Sweden halted international travel into the country on March 19th, following an EU decision, to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

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The entry ban is for 30 days and does not apply to EU or EEA citizens. Also exempt are people who can demonstrate an important reason to travel to Sweden, for example "diplomats, people in need of international protection and people who are to perform necessary functions in Sweden, such as healthcare staff and people transporting goods to Sweden".

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The travel ban could be extended but the Swedish government previously said in a statement that "it is an exceptional measure, which should not last longer than needed".

The Local has asked the British Embassy for further comment around the recent flight suspension.

What should you be doing to help reduce the rate of infection?

In Sweden, the official advice requires everyone to:
  • Stay at home if you have any cold- or flu-like symptoms, even if they are mild and you would normally continue life as normal. Stay at home until you have been fully symptom-free for at least two days.
     
  • Practise good hygiene, by regularly and thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water, using hand sanitiser when that’s not possible, and covering any coughs and sneezes with your elbow.
     
  • Keep distance from all other people when in public places. That includes shops, parks, museums, and on the street, for example. The World Health Organisation recommends keeping at least a 1.5-2 metre distance.
     
  • Avoid large gatherings, including parties, weddings, and other activities.
     
  • Work from home if you can. Employers have been asked to ensure this happens where possible.
     
  • Avoid all non-essential travel, both within and outside Sweden. That includes visits to family, planned holidays, and any other trips that can be avoided.
     
  • If you have to travel, avoid busy times such as rush hour if you can. This reduces the number of people on public transport and makes it easier for people to keep their distance.
     
  • If you are over 70 or belong to a high-risk group, you should stay at home and reduce all social contacts. Avoid going to the shops (get groceries delivered or try to find someone who can help you), but you can go outside if you keep distance from other people. Read more about the help available to those in risk groups here.
     
  • By following these precautions, we can all help to protect those who are most at risk and to reduce the rate of infection, which in turn reduces the burden on Sweden's healthcare sector.
     
  • Read more detail about the precautions we should all be taking in this paywall-free article. Advice in English is also available from Sweden's Public Health Agency and the World Health Organisation.

 

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Anonymous 2020/04/06 08:05
Which country decided on the ban?<br /><br />Also, does anyone know how the Swedish government classifies the dead for covid-19? For example, if an elderly person dies in a home, are they always tested for covid-19? Or, if someone has terminal cancer and covid-19 and they die, how does Sweden register that death?

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