Do not come to Sweden at the moment!

I like the meme... thanks for sharing. And I won't come to Sweden right now.

Thinking of you all, Badger! Solidarity and here’s hoping for a return trip to Sweden for me in the future.

Solidarity!

Is there any place we shouldn't stay away from? Kazakhstan? Bolivia?

I come from Swedish heritage (all of my grandparents were born there) and applaud how you wait for the bus. Social distancing is not so hard for me, but I do love to travel! As we in the US are heading deeper into the crisis, may we take lessons from the countries such as Italy, France, Sweden, and others.

Thank you all for your kind words! At the moment the situation is not that bad, and the aim is to "flatten the curve" and try to avoid chaos. I certainly hope we can manage to do it, but time will tell I guess.

I come from Swedish heritage (all of my grandparents were born there)
and applaud how you wait for the bus. Social distancing is not so hard
for me

Social distancing is probably in your DNA then!

Take care and wash your hands!

Love the photo, but I do have a question.

How BIG is that bus?

As a corollary, Seattle will need to re-do this sculpture --- https://fremont.com/explore/sights/waiting-for-the-interurban/

Normal bus size, but they are probably waiting for the next six buses :)

And, since it is important that we keep our sense of humour I'd like to share what a Finnish friend posted on Facebook (loosely translated).

Doctors: To help stop the virus it is really important that we all maintain a distance of one metre to other people.
Finns: I don't care how much pandemic we have, I'm not getting that close to strangers!

Thank you for the update!
Sitting at home, with cabin fever setting in. Hoping everyone stays safe and healthy during this trying time. At the same time, hoping the crisis ends in time for our planned July excursion to Scandinavia.

A C

At the same time, hoping the crisis ends in time for our planned July
excursion to Scandinavia.

I hope you get to take your trip, but honestly I wouldn't count on it.

Just saw a video of WEF on different approach to Corona in Sweden.
The linked article is an interesting read.

Hope you and the Swedish peope will get well through it, Badger. All the best!

Interesting that you linked that the same day that new restrictions were announced. But hopefully we will get through this, as long as people act responsible.

But many ski resorts have closed now so at least people will not travel to the mountains over easter.

I was (am?) very excited about my upcoming trip to Sweden (then going on to Denmark and Norway) starting Aug. 2 on a Rick Steves tour. I know none of us have that crystal ball, but just wondering from the perspective of someone who actually lives in Sweden, what do you think the state of the country will be in at that point? Do you think travel will be advisable in August? Just curious about your opinion/prognostication. Thanks!

Honest answer: I don't know.

But if I were to guess I'd say probably not. There is a chance. But a very small chance, so don't count on it. Anders Tegnell, our State Epidemiologist said in an interview a couple of days ago that we shouldn't count on being able to travel far for our summer holidays.

But that is just my personal guess. I actually studied a bit of epidemiology when I was at university, but only enough to realise it is a very complicated subject and I will not try to make any predictions based on my limited knowledge.

Alleyo: Three Scandinavian countries (Sweden, Denmark and Norway) all being open would complicate the go/no go. The quarantine/isolation rules are different with each country. Norway's 14 day home quarantine/isolation rule is similar to Hawaii's where Norwegian travelers returning from other countries needed to quarantine for 14 days. Mid-March Norway closed its boarders to foreign national lacking Norwegian residency permits. https://avinor.no/en/information-in-connection-with-the-coronavirus-covid-19/

From Monday, March 16 at 8:00 a.m. the Government closed the border to
foreign nationals who lack a residence permit in Norway. [Last
updated April 17 at 09:20 A.M..]

And if the external EU/Schengen border will be open.

Thanks Badger and Edgar for your insight, and the additional information you provided, which align with what I suspected, i.e. unlikely that I will be in Scandinavia this summer. :(
I have been mentally preparing myself that this trip may have to wait until next year (hoping that travel is possible by then).

August is still far away and a lot can happen in a couple of months. But the best thing to do is probably to assume that you will not make the trip.

Do you have any idea when Sweden might open back up and whether the prices might be enticing for travelers at that time?

Never mind - I see you basically answered above. Thanks

Here are the rules

https://www.government.se/press-releases/2020/04/extension-of-temporary-entry-ban-to-the-eu-via-sweden-due-to-covid-19/

Badger, My natural behavior is very much ruled by my Swedish/Scandinavian genes even 2 generations removed...so I can relate easily to the cartoon. And I, too, am having no issue with social distancing...in fact I am enjoying it.

Badger, have you read Finnish Nightmares (Suomalaisten Painajaisia) by
Karoliina Korohonen? Having lived in Finland, I can attest to the
truthfulness of more than a few of the cartoons. And as an agoraphobe
& introvert, I felt very comfortable in Finland!

I haven't, but thanks for the recommendation! I can recognize the situations very well and I think that you'll feel very comfortable all over the Nordic countries!

Do you have any idea when Sweden might open back up and whether the
prices might be enticing for travelers at that time?

The answer is still I don't know. Maybe an autumn trip will be possible if you're lucky. Regarding prices I will not even try to guess.

Badger, My natural behavior is very much ruled by my
Swedish/Scandinavian genes even 2 generations removed...so I can
relate easily to the cartoon. And I, too, am having no issue with
social distancing...in fact I am enjoying it.

Sounds like you have it in your DNA!