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Closed After Ski and derogations in Europe

All businesses in the travel and service industry are suffering right now. Airlines, travel agencies, hotels, spas, restaurants and event organisers are all facing extremely tough times, with many at risk of bankruptcy. At the same time, some operations are still running in Sweden. Here are some of the latest news.

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Swedavia implements action programme

Swedavia is implementing an action programme to adapt operations to a dramatic decline in the number of passengers. During March, the events surrounding COVID-19 accelerated and led to a sharp decline in demand for travel. In recent days, the decline in passenger numbers has been 70-90 per cent. Swedavia will immediately put 1,900 of its approximately 2,500 permanent employees on short-term leave until further notice. In addition, Swedavia is giving notice to 800 employees.

Swedavia

Where BRA continues to fly to

The airline BRA, which accounts for 30% of domestic air travel with flights to most cities in the country, is reducing the number of departures and routes from Monday 23 March. The airline will continue to fly between Stockholm Bromma and Malmö, Gothenburg, ÄngelholmVisby, Umeå and Östersund. The financial situation for BRA, which is a privately owned, wholly Swedish and unlisted company, is very, very strained but remains stable.

BRA flyg

Tallink Silja cancels normal traffic and redirects vessels to carry out freight transport. The vessels Baltic Princess and Galaxy will operate between Turku and Kapellskär for freight transport between Sweden and Finland. Travellers with a one-way ticket can join them if they are entitled to travel to Finland under the current rules. The Star ferry will operate between Estonia (Paldiski) and Germany (Sassnitz). The Romantika ferry has picked up Estonians and Latvians stranded in Germany.

Tallink Silja Line

Swedish ski resorts close After Ski

According to several newspapers, After Ski in Åre, Sälen, Branäs and Idre is now closed due to the coronavirus. On Idre Fjäll's website you can read that all entertainment activities are closed, which in addition to After Ski includes theatre and concerts. Idre Fjäll also writes that they are currently planning to be open as usual for the rest of the season.

Svenska fjällen

More and more closures in Europe

The UD advises against travelling to all countries, but many Swedes are still in the south of Europe, as they may have travelled there long before the advisory came into force. In many countries, more and more restaurants, hotels and campsites are closing. Many people are trying to get home to Sweden, but it is not easy to get airline tickets.

If you drive your own car/camper van, you should be able to drive home and be allowed through closed borders, but it is difficult to know with certainty what rules apply from one day to the next. Spain has introduced a ban on travelling with more than one person per car. According to the newspaper Sydkusten, a camper van for tourists should also count as a residence, and you would comply with the quarantine by staying in it, even if there are two of you.

Torre del Mar

Reflection of the week

When you read that you need a special permit to take the ferry to Finland, it feels like war. This is not just about travelling, but about the continued welfare of Sweden and Europe. How do we get through this and how do we get everything going again?

Did you miss the last travel news? Read the Advice against travelling, camping tents and SJ trains in Norway

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