Sweden and Norway Issue 'Entry Ban'... Concerns Over COVID-19 Variants

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] Sweden has decided to ban entry of people coming from neighboring Norway starting from the 25th (local time) due to concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) variant virus.

According to local media on the day, the Swedish Minister of the Interior announced this measure, stating that there is a risk of Norwegians coming to Sweden to buy goods as shops and liquor stores recently closed in Norway where the variant virus was confirmed the day before.

However, some, such as commuters, are exempt from the application. This measure will continue until the 14th of next month.

In Norway, 70 cases of the variant virus spreading in the United Kingdom have been confirmed as of this day. About 50 cases of the variant virus have also been reported in Sweden.

The variant virus first discovered in the United Kingdom is known to have stronger transmissibility than the existing virus. It is currently understood to have spread to 60 countries worldwide.