.
Riksdag politician Magnus Jacobsson (KD) believes that the Solberg government would open the border sooner if Norwegian trade were not threatened.
Politicians in Sweden agreed that Norwegian trade would be abolished by closing the border. Now the questions arise regarding the Solberg government's application of infection control adviceto strengthen the Norwegian economy.
One of them is Magnus Jacobsson, a representative of the Christian Democrats from Västra Götaland in Riksdag.
– Many of us believe that it was not just about the disease. I hope and work towards being normal again. Though Norwegian companies have been doing well for several months, it will be better for cooperation in the Nordic region if we continue to trade with each other.
If it were so, then Norwegia lost the most as a result of closing the border, that on the Norwegian side we would see billions of lost turnover and high unemployment in the trade industry, do you think that then the Norwegian government would open the border faster?
- Yes, that's it. I don't think it's just the disease. He says it's the economic aspect.
Anna-Caren Sätherberg, vice-president of the Riksdag's Trade and Industry Committee for Social Democrats, has the following reaction to Jacobsson's argument:
– I can only say that protectionism is a great danger here pandemic, says Sätherberg to NRK and adds:
– Norway, like Sweden, depends on exports. It depends on supplies of goods from all over the world. I still see trucks from Norway crossing the roads in Jämtland. There will be more protectionism in the world and we will not have this freedom trade and freedom of movement of people. This is something I really want Scandinavian countries to avoid.
– Do you think it's on advice? regarding the infection addressed to the Norwegian government Are there financial considerations?
– I can only hope that Norwegian government thought about how to take care of people's health and cope during a pandemic. I've heard the rationale before, but I can only hope that's not the case.
Read our next article about where to go in Norway
The frustration on the Swedish side is not new to the government.
In Sweden, politicians are upset that Norway is deciding to divide its tourist regions into counties. Instead of giving exceptions for places with little infection along the border.
When Sweden she opened up to traveling to Europe halfway through June, Norway was not on the list, despite the low spread of infection.
Jakobsson believes the paradox is that Norway gave the green light to Sweden medical staff from Stockholm and Gothenburg with high infection. At the same time, she gave a red light to the Norwegians who they want travel to borders with low infection.
The government rejectsthat Norway has inconsistent travel advice. He points out that medical staff from Sweden must be tested upon arrival in Norway.
Assessment of negative economic effects
However, when the government is considering contagion measures, includes an assessment of the negative economic impacts that various measures may have. For example, for hairdressers who have to stop their business.
The April report on the socioeconomic impact of the coronation measures stated that "cross-border trade […] is now significantly reduced and has a positive effect on Norwegian trade in goods".
The positive effect was not taken into account in the calculations commissioned by Norwegian Directorate for Health, as the committee believed that this impact should be taken into account as part of the Norwegian measures infection control.
– General infectious situation In Norway is still the basis for us. “I hope that when, hopefully, new times come, we will open up again,” says Erlandsen.
