The border between the neighbouring countries Sweden and Norway has been closed since 16 March 2020 due to corona restrictions.

Just behind the border in Svinesund on the Swedish side there is a huge shopping center that is depending on the Norwegian customers that are coming to buy sweets, alcohol and other goods that are much cheaper there than in their home country Norway.

The shops have to deal with an enormous decline of customers and around 95 % less sales than normal. Some shops chose to close temporarily, others remain open hoping for better times.

Photographed in June 2020 for NRC Handelsblad in Amsterdam

 - Mareike Timm | Photo Journalist - A sign for one of the many huge candy stores in the border region between Norway and Sweden, here in Svinesund. Sweets are much more expensive in Norway than in Sweden, due to a sugar tax.
A sign for one of the many huge candy stores in the border region between Norway and Sweden, here in Svinesund. Sweets are much more expensive in Norway than in Sweden, due to a sugar tax.
- Mareike Timm | Photo Journalist - The Swedish-Norwegian border at the Old Svinesund Bridge, which is one of two toll bridges over the sound of the Iddefjord. The Swedish side is very popular with Norwegians who are going there to buy relatively cheap sweets, alcohol and other goods. A large shopping area can be found in Svinesund immediately after crossing the sound.
The Swedish-Norwegian border at the Old Svinesund Bridge, which is one of two toll bridges over the sound of the Iddefjord. The Swedish side is very popular with Norwegians who are going there to buy relatively cheap sweets, alcohol and other goods. A large shopping area can be found in Svinesund immediately after crossing the sound.
- Mareike Timm | Photo Journalist - Elise from Oslo with her Australian shepherd puppy Merlin, that she just received from a kennel in Sweden at the Swedish-Norwegian border on the middle of the bridge.
Elise from Oslo with her Australian shepherd puppy Merlin, that she just received from a kennel in Sweden at the Swedish-Norwegian border on the middle of the bridge.
- Mareike Timm | Photo Journalist - A note at the front door of the restaurant right behind the Old Svinesund Bridge, that is connecting Sweden and Norway, letting potential customers know: Closed due to current situation. Open when border opens again. Kind regards, Saluhallen”
A note at the front door of the restaurant right behind the Old Svinesund Bridge, that is connecting Sweden and Norway, letting potential customers know: "Closed due to current situation. Open when border opens again. Kind regards, Saluhallen”
- Mareike Timm | Photo Journalist - An abandoned parking space at the shopping center in Svinesund on a Saturday morning in June, usually the peak time of the week. A few bigger shops are open, but some chose to close temporarily. According to an employee at one of the candy stores the daily sales used to be around 30 000 euro, whereas it now is 300 euro on a good day.
An abandoned parking space at the shopping center in Svinesund on a Saturday morning in June, usually the peak time of the week. A few bigger shops are open, but some chose to close temporarily. According to an employee at one of the candy stores the daily sales used to be around 30 000 euro, whereas it now is 300 euro on a good day.
- Mareike Timm | Photo Journalist - Two of only a handfull of customers on a Saturday at the Maximat Supermarket in Svinesund, where it usually is very busy at that time. Normally many Norwegians stop on their way back home from work to shop, but this is not the case anymore with the border between Norway and Sweden closed since March.
Two of only a handfull of customers on a Saturday at the Maximat Supermarket in Svinesund, where it usually is very busy at that time. Normally many Norwegians stop on their way back home from work to shop, but this is not the case anymore with the border between Norway and Sweden closed since March.
- Mareike Timm | Photo Journalist - Goran Jabbar, owner of the grocery store Slemani Market in Svinesund near the border, has almost no customers since the border between Norway and Sweden was closed.
Goran Jabbar, owner of the grocery store Slemani Market in Svinesund near the border, has almost no customers since the border between Norway and Sweden was closed.
- Mareike Timm | Photo Journalist - At Daftö Camping in Strömstad close to the Norwegian-Swedish border the impact of the corona pandemic is heavy. Usually this area is filled with camper vans this time of year, mostly from Norway, now it is empty. The camping resort has invested lots of money to build a new hotel on their ground and in the distance an adventure park, belonging to the resort, can be seen.
At Daftö Camping in Strömstad close to the Norwegian-Swedish border the impact of the corona pandemic is heavy. Usually this area is filled with camper vans this time of year, mostly from Norway, now it is empty. The camping resort has invested lots of money to build a new hotel on their ground and in the distance an adventure park, belonging to the resort, can be seen.
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