"We have relatively good control, but we are not satisfied."

In Sweden, there are currently 55 reported cases of the British variant, in sixteen of which there is no travel link.

In Norway, there are 59 known cases of the mutation and none of them have connections to travel or travelers.

According to the Public Health Agency's department head Karin Tegmark Wisell, it is not possible to establish that the situation would be worse in Norway, based on the testing that is done in Sweden today.

- We have relatively good control, but we are not satisfied.

We assume that, like most European countries that look at this, we have an incidence of a few percent.

And it may well be that some regions have significantly more and others less.

But based on the samples we have, it does not seem to be the dominant variant in Sweden, says Tegmark-Wisell to TT.

"Must monitor closely"

Epidemiologist Joacim Rockström is positive about the new Swedish measures - but emphasizes that something needs to be done.

- We need to get a better view of our own backyard and ensure that it grows slowly.

Rockström says that there must be a very close monitoring of mutations before the spread of infection has become too high.

- You have to look at where it is, how it spreads and how common it is.

And you do not do that in Sweden today?

- You may be in control, but I think you may need better control.

We need to capture growth.

And it is very possible that you are on your way there.

If the new variant already exists in most countries and it will still take over in the end, is there any point in closing borders?

- Absolutely.

That's what's the race against the clock.

If we received the vaccine before this variant took over, we have managed it.

But if you do not slow down the inflow, it can be a difficult period this spring.

"Shutdowns in Norway can have effects in Sweden"

When Mikael Damberg held a press conference on Sunday, he was asked why similar measures had not been introduced as had been done in Norway since the mutation cases were discovered.

- We have not seen any large cluster spread of the mutated virus in Sweden, says Damberg and continues:

- The shutdowns in Norway can have effects in Sweden.

When Norwegian stores and system companies close down, there is a risk that Norwegians will come to Sweden and contribute to the spread of infection and congestion here.