In Sweden, knights enforce barrier gestures. - Soren ANDERSSON / TT NEWS AGENCY

What if Sweden had found THE solution to overcome the coronavirus? (Actually not at all). Located in the south-east of the country, in the middle of the Baltic Sea, the island of Gotland is a popular destination for holidaymakers.

And for good reason: on the spot, the town of Visby, member of the Hanseatic League, is protected by an enclosure built between the 13th and 14th century. A medieval atmosphere conducive to souvenir photos, and which gave the local authorities an idea: ask (real) horsemen to be (false) medieval knights to enforce physical distancing in the streets, pandemic obliges.

Dressed in their armor and carrying a banner on which is written “Together we take our responsibilities”, eight knights will therefore ensure this summer that tourists respect the barrier gestures. "We have three messages: keep your distance, wash your hands regularly and stay at home if you are not feeling well," Lennart Borg, at the origin of the initiative, told AFP, welcoming that his "soldiers" attract a lot of attention, especially when they are on their horse.

Patrols on the beach

The riders work for the reenactment company Torneamentum, which usually organizes jousting tournaments (a tournament which had to be canceled following the coronavirus pandemic). The Knights made their first foray into the island's port on Monday to welcome tourists, who arrived by boat.

And during the next few weeks, these knights will be expected at the beach, downtown and any other place where the risk of gathering is high.

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  • Sweden
  • Middle age
  • World
  • Coronavirus
  • epidemic