CORONAVIRUS

Coronavirus: Swedish knights on a quest to keep tourists at safe distance

The re-enactment group is reminding visitors to the Swedish island of Gotland that they must observe social distancing rules
The re-enactment group is reminding visitors to the Swedish island of Gotland that they must observe social distancing rules
LISA HEINIUS

A Swedish island in the Baltic Sea has taken a novel approach to maintaining social distancing among tourists by hiring a troupe of knights on horseback.

In full medieval regalia, knights from a re-enactment group greet tourists arriving at the Gotland island ferry terminal.

“During the week we will go on the beach and around the city to tourist sites,” said Dennis Norrthon of the Torneamentum society, which normally puts on jousting tournaments for visitors.

Asked if there were plans to charge at unco-operative people with lances, Mr Norrthon said: “No, we will just talk to people. The response has been really good, everyone understands and they stand apart. It’s working.”

The Swedish government’s relaxed approach to coronavirus, which included allowing people to mix