During the past year, the hotel and hospitality industry in Strömstad has lost between 85–90 percent of its sales.

The reason is missed visits from Norwegian guests, after the country's borders were closed and those who visited Sweden were quarantined.

But when Sweden also closed its border, an increased police presence was needed in the region - and police need somewhere to live.

- I generally do not comment on anything about hotel guests.

But, I can confirm that as a consequence of Sweden closing the border with Norway, we have had a slightly increased traffic at the hotel, writes Mattias Dalnoki, hotel manager at Scandic Laholmen, in an email.

Entire police department moved

The police do not go out with any figures on how many have been called into the area, but it is about staff from the entire region West.

Among other things, an entire unit of the Border Police has temporarily moved to Strömstad.

The border is guarded around the clock, from both land and water, by between 10 and 20 people each shift.

At present, the effort will last until 14 February if it is not extended further.

"Absurd situation"

Hotel manager Mattias Dalnoki writes in his email that the sudden increase in occupancy was an unexpected but positive surprise and a welcome income for the hotel in a difficult time. 

- At the same time, right now we are just looking forward to the border opening so that we as neighbors can visit each other freely, that our employees can return to work and that this absurd situation passes.

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This is what it looks like at the border, where around 2,000 vehicles stop every day when entering Sweden.

Photo: SVT