SwedishNews, August 1

Record number of Norwegian customers / Study grants expected to increase / Stockholm Museums open / More students admitted to Swedish universities / "Keep working remotely" / More people refrain from moving to nursing homes / Swedish budget deficit: SEK 71.4 billion. 

  • Lund University is among the universities in Sweden that are prepared to either continue with distance education or return to normal in the fall. (The old building at Lund University)

  • Record number of Norwegian customers at the border
    On July 25 the Norwegian government opened for travel to select parts of Sweden, including the province Värmland along the border. According to Nya Wermlands-Tidningen, shopping centers at the border are reporting record business and long lines to enter stores. Grocery stores are talking about 250 feet long lines.

  • Stockholm Stadsmuseum seen from Katarinahissen on Söder. Photo: Holger Ellgaard

  • Study grants expected to increase
    Disbursements of student grants and loans will increase significantly this autumn, according to a forecast from the Central Student Aid Board (Centrala Studiestödsnämnden, CSN). In the wake of the pandemic, a record number have been admitted to universities, at the same time as the exemption amount - i.e. how much income a student may have - has been abolished. According to CSN, SEK 19.8 billion will be paid out this autumn in grants and loans, an increase of SEK 3.1 billion compared with the corresponding period last year.

  • Researchers want to investigate homework
    Four researchers have applied for funding to use the corona crisis to research homework. They want to find out what happens to relationships with colleagues and what effects working from home has on the individual. It can usually take up to a year to get funding granted, but in connection with the pandemic, cases have been accelerated.

  • Stockholm museums open
    After staying closed for four months, it’s soon time for Stockholm City Museum and the Medieval Museum to receive visitors. The museums will open on August 11, then with new hygiene routines and a limited number of visitors.

  • More students admitted to Swedish universities
    On July 30 268,494 people receive the final information on which education or training they have been admitted to. This is an increase of almost 9% compared to fall 2019, according to the Swedish University and College Council. ”That more people are accepted is positive and a result of the government's investment in more education spots as a result of the corona pandemic," says the council’s Director General, Karin Röding. The number of eligible applicants for fall of 2020 was 409,027 people, 14% more compared with the fall semester 2019.

  • Keep working remotely
    The Swedish Public Health Agency's (FHM) recommendation on working from home, when possible, remains for the fall, state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell announced at a press conference. People are also urged to continue to avoid public transportation as much as possible. Those who have to go should follow recommendations. It is the industry's own responsibility to ensure that the rules are followed. At the same time, the government commissions county administrative boards to communicate and propose measures for continued reduction in the spread of infection.

  • More people refrain from moving to nursing homes
    People who have been given the green light to move into nursing homes choose to give up their spot because of the coronavirus. Several municipalities have reported this to the Swedish Health and Care Inspectorate (Inspektionen för vård och omsorg , Ivo). The phenomenon is spread all over Sweden. When a person has been accommodated in a nursing home, the move must take place as soon as possible. If it takes more than three months, the municipality must report to Ivo.

  • Swedish budget deficit: SEK 71.4 billion
    A deficit of SEK 71.4 billion (just under $8 billion) is the balance in the Swedish government budget during the first half of 2020, figures from the Swedish Financial Management Authority (Ekonomistyrningsverket , ESV) show. Compared with the corresponding period last year, the balance deteriorated by SEK 170 billion ($18.8 billion).