Travel abroad will not be possible as usual this summer. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' general advice is valid until June 15, but even if it is lifted, it will not be fully open.

”"You will not be able to travel freely after June 15," says Foreign Minister Ann Linde (S) to SVT.

Since mid-March, a total ban on foreign travel has been in effect. The decision has been extended once, and according to Foreign Minister Ann Linde, a new decision will be made within a couple of weeks. But even if the general ban is lifted, nothing will be business as usual this summer, she says.

”"We don't know if it will start. We have to follow it closely before we can make a decision. It will definitely not be free after June 15, but exactly how it will be we have to come back to."”

The decision partly depends on whether countries open their borders and whether air traffic resumes.

”"Because we know what an incredibly difficult situation it has been for Swedes to get home, we don't want to put people through that now. Plus there are still a lot of curfews and closed borders," says Ann Linde.

In recent months, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has helped around 7,000 Swedes return to Sweden. It is hoped that the last of them will be brought home next week.

”"Now we only have Gambia left of all these countries in the world where there are still Swedes who cannot get home commercially."”

According to Linde, the work of bringing Swedes home has been a difficult logistical task. At most, over 90 employees have worked on corona-related issues and tried to piece together here and there to obtain various permits.

”"I don't know how many ministers I've spoken to myself, for example, to get permission for people to go to airports during a curfew."”

A decision to either lift the general travel advisory or extend it will come ”well before June 15.” Ann Linde herself says that one should not expect things to immediately go back to the way they were before.

”I wouldn't book a trip abroad.”

Source: TT