First of all, the rules in the Netherlands are stricter than in any of the four Northern European countries. They are Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland. But the corona measures of those four countries differ from each other. And so is the effect.
Scandinavia shows that a strict approach does not necessarily lead to fewer infections than a neighboring country with less strict rules. First of all, these are the rules per country:
Denmark
The maximum group size is ten, also for weddings, for example. All games in the Danish premier league have been canceled. The catering industry is open in Denmark, but restaurants, bars and cafes have to close at 10 PM. Events are canceled and a mouth mask is mandatory in almost all public places.
–
–
The above measures could not prevent the number of infections in Denmark from rising. And so this week, stricter measures have been implemented in 38 so-called risk areas, including the capital Copenhagen. Lessons at schools and universities are now exclusively given online. In addition, just like in the Netherlands, the catering industry may only open on a collection basis and cultural institutions must close.
Sweden
Sweden has been known to many people since the beginning of the corona crisis as the European country where everything is still possible. Sweden is trying to adjust that image a little by means of a heavy second wave. Yet the Swedes mainly stick to advice. They ask the population not to use public transport, not to travel to other regions and not to go to the catering industry. But it is possible.
–
–
Because the catering industry is open. A maximum of eight guests may be seated at a table. If you come with a group larger than eight, you are welcome. You only need to reserve a second table and that table must be one meter away from the other table you reserved. Alcohol is not served between 10:00 PM and 11:00 AM.
The maximum group size is eight, just like in the catering industry. Only at funerals it is 20. In addition, there is an entry ban to the country, but striking: only for people outside the EU. If you come from the European Union, Norway, Switzerland or Great Britain, you are simply welcome. Provided the country you come from allows it, of course. Finally, mouth masks are not mandatory, not even in nursing homes.
–
–
Norway
Norway has a stricter maximum group size than Denmark and Sweden. You may not receive more than five guests at home. Just like their neighbors, the Norwegians must keep one meter apart. Children in primary school do not have to. But if those children then visit their grandfathers and grandmothers, they must keep not one but two meters away.
The catering industry is open. No more alcohol should be served after midnight, no new guests may come in after 10 PM, and anyone sitting down must leave their contact details.
–
–
Norway is strict when it comes to travel. The Norwegians are urged not to travel to other regions. Traveling to Norway is difficult for foreigners. First of all, you must show a negative test result that is not older than 72 hours. If you do not work or live in Norway, you must then go to a so-called quarantine hotel where you will be tested and quarantined for at least ten days.
Finland
The Finnish approach is quite loose. Travel within Finland is allowed and travel to Finland from EU countries is also possible. Upon arrival, you will be asked to quarantine for fourteen days or to take two voluntary corona tests in exchange for a shorter quarantine, but it is not required. You can even enter Finland from a number of non-European countries.
–
–
The catering industry is open all over Finland. There is no restriction on what time they can be open. Alcohol should not be served after midnight in most regions. Catering establishments that mainly serve alcohol may stay open until 1 a.m. and open at 2 p.m. at the earliest. In certain regions where the number of infections is higher, there is an imposed closing time and only a limited number of people may be received. Events are allowed in Finland as long as visitors can keep enough distance from each other.
Norway and Finland are doing better
All in all, Denmark and Norway are stricter than Sweden and Finland in many areas. You could therefore expect that Denmark and Norway are better able to get the corona virus under control. But that turns out not to be the case. This is the number of infections per 100,000 inhabitants added together in the past 14 days:
–
–
In Norway, with a stricter approach and in Finland, with a loose approach, they manage to keep the number of infections under control. This is much less the case in the somewhat stricter Denmark, where the number of infections per 100,000 inhabitants is almost the same as in ours. Sweden, known for its flexible approach, has the most: 739.
Multiple factors
Does that mean that the correct approach for the coronavirus cannot be determined? That conclusion is too premature. According to Scandinavia expert Petra Broomans of the University of Groningen, several factors play a role. “First of all, the approach that differs per country. But population density also plays a major role,” says Broomans.
“Norway has a population density of 14 inhabitants per square meter. Finland 16, Sweden 23 and Denmark 136. This could explain, for example, that Denmark is doing less well in terms of figures. Swedish state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell said in an interview that Norway and Finland have exceptions. because they are so sparsely populated. “
–
–
“The influence of urban areas is important here,” says Broomans. “Denmark and Sweden in particular have a number of areas with large cities and thus many people close to each other, such as the Copenhagen region, the Skåne county in Sweden and the Stockholm region.”
Reserved Norwegians
Scandinavians are generally quite obedient. Still, according to Broomans there are a number of small differences. “Norwegians are a bit more reserved than Swedes. So many Norwegians will probably also find it less terrible to be isolated. Especially if they can isolate themselves in their beautiful nature. Social contact after work is also more common in Sweden than in Norway. And more contact is more risk. “
–
–
Broomans continues: “Certainly in the big cities in Sweden, people are more open to contact. That does not mean that the Swedes in rural areas would have great difficulty in being isolated. The difference between city and countryside is large anyway. And those urban areas are urban areas. mainly in Sweden. What also plays a role: it is a capricious virus that has no national character. “
No guarantee
Indeed, it is not said that the current good figures of Norway and Finland are a guarantee for the future. That can be seen in Germany. For months our eastern neighbors were seen as a country that managed to curb the virus well. Still, a new lockdown was announced today, because the numbers are now rising at lightning speed.
–
–
