Table 3.
Detailing the nature and timing of the population movement and behaviour regulations brought into force during the period March to June (inclusive) 2020 in Sweden and close neighbouring countries. Data gathered from: local, national, international press; government official announcements; personal communications; https://nordregio.org/maps/mobility-changes-due-to-covid-19; https://www.scb.se/; https://www.gstatic.com/covid19/mobility/ (all last accessed 23.6.2020).
| Date of | Sweden | Denmark | Finland | Norway |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Borders closed | Never undertaken* | 13 March | 18 March | 14 March |
| Junior school closed | Never undertaken | 13 March | 16 March | 12 March |
| High school / Uni changes | Distance education 17 March | 13 March | 16 March | 12 March |
| Ban on gatherings | >500 11 March >50 27 March | >500 13 March >10 17 March | >500 13 March >5 16 March | >5 24.3 |
| Pubs, bars, restaurants closed | Never undertaken: Some restrictions recommended | 13 March | 16 March | 12 March |
| Non-essential shops closed | Never undertaken | 18 March | 4 April | 12 March |
| Shielding of vulnerable (>70 years) | 16 March | 13 March | 17 March | 12 March |
| Population lock-down (not medicine/food) | Never undertaken | 11 March | 16 March | 13 March |
| Travel restrictions | International 11 March National 19 March | 13 March | International National 25 March | 13 March then 16 March |
| % Journeys to work in April (compared to Jan/Feb 2020) | 70%–80% | 40%–60% | 50%–60% | 50%–60% |
| Use of parks and recreation % usual | 240% (all regions) | 170% (all) | 220% (all) | 140% (all) |
| Travel by vehicle within/to capital in April % usual | ∼25% Stockholm | ∼10% Copenhagen | ∼10% Helsinki | ∼10% Oslo |
*The Swedish border never officially closed, but as neighbouring countries’ borders were all closed, this resulted in a de facto border closure. European directive recommending curtailing travel among Schengen group countries was imposed on 17 March.