- The Municipality of Sölvesborg has chosen to cancel all events until 31 May. In a few weeks, we will decide whether to extend it, says Pernilla Weirum, who is cultural coordinator in Sölvesborg.

Karlshamn and Ronneby have also put a stop to all municipal events. However, neither Karlskrona nor Olofström have decided to cancel all activities.

- We set all events that have large crowds of people. But we make decisions gradually, says Patrik Sjöstedt (S), who is chairman of the Culture and Leisure Committee in Olofström.

Lures tens of thousands

Blekinge also has several other major events and tourist attractions that attract tens of thousands of visitors each year. Sweden Rock, the Baltic Sea Festival, Barnens Gård and Brunnsbadet are some examples.

But how do they protect themselves against the virus threat? Do they set, close, postpone, do they stay open as usual, do they change the program or do they plan as planned?

SVT News Blekinge has contacted a number of major organizers and attractions.

Karlshamn:
  • Kreativum. Has closed for visitors and conference guests since March 26 and the decision is valid until further notice.

- It is difficult to make forecasts right now and we are planning for different scenarios this summer. These may be limited activities outdoors or for smaller groups indoors. We also have preparedness for being open as usual or having closed completely, says Kreativum's CEO Mathias Roos.

Kreativum in Karlshamn has closed for visitors. Photo: SVT

  • Östersjöfestivalen. Scheduled to be implemented week 29.

- As it looks now, we are planning a risk-reduced festival, which means a smaller festival than normal. But from day to day, the new directive comes and that can be changed, says Karlshamn's cultural and leisure manager Maria Sköldqvist.

The organizers are planning a lost Baltic Sea festival. Photo: Ante Frändén / SVT

  • Eriksberg. Has opened as planned for the season.

- We have seen a big loss but still have operations to the extent possible. We have taken measures to reduce the spread of infection, for example to increase the distances on the serving. Nature and plenty of space are important in these situations and it is important for people to come out and move, says Eriksberg CEO Per-Arne Olsson.

Eriksberg has opened as planned for the season.

  • The outlet . Was scheduled for Sunday, April 5, but is canceled.
  • Ihretrampen. The bike exercise race on Sunday, May 3 is set, maybe it will take place in the fall instead.
  • PLX at Tjärö. The festival is scheduled between August 20 and 23.

- We are currently planning for us to be able to carry out the festival, as it is almost five months until then. But everything can be affected and any changes we have to make a decision on later, says Anton Ingvarsson, one of the organizers.

The organizers continue their preparations for the art and music festival PLX at Tjärö. Photo: SVT / Stina Sandström

  • Blekinge River Trail. Scheduled for May 24 and organizers will announce in early May whether the race should be canceled or relocated.
  • National Day celebrations. The municipality decides this at a later stage.
  • Summer theater at Kastellet. The theater smith had planned to play the Storm, but has decided to cancel.

The theater is broken after a long tradition. Photo: SVT

Sölvesborg:
  • Sweden Rock. During Friday night, the festival management announced that they are working to move the festival to a later date. More detailed information is promised by mid-April. The festival is currently scheduled to run June 3-6.

- Since there are so many people involved, artists, crew, employees, suppliers, partners, authorities and others, and there are so many different issues to look through, we ask for understanding that we need a little more time, the festival management writes in the press release.

Sweden Rock still welcomes visitors to its summer festival via its website. Photo: TT

  • Killebom. The municipality of Sölvesborg is considering various alternatives for the festival from 1 to 4 July.

- We are discussing this back and forth and will make a decision within a few weeks. If we cannot implement what is planned, the alternatives are to move forward, make it smaller or set altogether, says Sanna Persson, project manager.

It is unclear how it will be with this year's edition of Killebom in Sölvesborg.

  • Mjällby AIF . The Swedish Football Association has decided to postpone the all-season start to the end of May or early June. When the premiere would have taken place on April 12, Mjällby AIF will instead host a web match at Strandvallen with interviews and other features.

Anyone who wants all Swedish matches at Strandvallen will have to wait. Photo: Patric Söderström / TT

  • National Day celebrations. The Municipality of Sölvesborg has not made a decision on how it will be with this year's celebration.
Olofström:
  • Holje market. Is scheduled for May 22-24. Organizers continue with the preparations but make a final decision in mid-April.

- If we were to get in position to cancel, it would affect us immensely, because it is the market that is the source of income we have during the year, so that we can then help private individuals, associations and others in need of financial assistance, says Patrick Nenonen from Lions Club Olofström.

  • National Day celebrations. The municipality decides at the end of April or early May how it will be.

- We are monitoring and reviewing it and we will decide it according to the instructions of the Public Health Authority, says Lena Nilsson, who is a leisure consultant.

Nutshell. Decisions will be made in early May.

- We will follow the development and make a final decision in early May. For the time being, we are waiting to present the program and distribute tickets. The reason why it can be Nassel frozen in some form is that this year's theme is "Trees and woods". Many of the program points should be held outdoors and in smaller groups, says program planner Måns Areskoug.

Ronneby:
  • Well flea market. Should have premiered on Easter Day, but now postponed.

The premiere of this year's Brunnsloppis in Ronneby is postponed. Photo: SVT / Erik Alfredsson

  • Tosia Bonnadan. Tradition since 170 years and is scheduled for the second weekend in July. Within two weeks, the municipality decides how it will be this year.

- We have prepared that it can be so that we set, we constantly keep track of everything around. It will probably be all or nothing, it would have been difficult to pick in the different parts, says business manager Torbjörn Lind.

It is unclear how this year's edition of Tosia Bonnadan will be. Photo: André Kvist / SVT

  • National Day celebrations. So far unclear. Since all municipal events are canceled in April and May, further information on how it will be in June will be announced.
  • Bräknetrampen. Should have passed on 16 May, but is now advanced to 5 September.
Karlskrona:
  • Lövmarknaden. Tradition since 200 years and this year is scheduled to take place June 18. The organizers have decided to work as usual with the planning until last April. After that, together with Karlskrona's municipal director, they will revisit the situation.

- Of course, we want the market to be able to be arranged if possible. So rather work on and set up than wait and then not catch up, says Evalena Gabris, who is co-responsible for arranging the Leaf Market.

Karlskrona Municipality continues to plan ahead for the Leaf Market. Photo: Håkan Linder

  • National Day celebrations. Arranged in Wämöparken. The municipality decides in a few weeks what it will be this year.
  • Children's Farm. Have planned to open May 16 but it is unclear how it will be.

- We are preparing to open as usual. If we cannot open it later, we may not be able to open later. We adapt to the authorities' guidelines. Of course, we are worried, this is everyone in the tourism and hospitality industry, says Åsa Alm, CEO of Barnens Gård.

The Children's Farm planned to open May 16, but it is unclear how it will be.

  • Naval Museum and Blekinge Museum. Has closed for visitors.

The Naval Museum has closed for visitors. Photo: Marine Museum