After the terrorist attack in Moscow, which IS claimed, several countries have increased security ahead of the Easter weekend. France has raised its terror threat level, Norway’s police, who are usually unarmed, are to carry weapons over the Easter weekend and Italy is to introduce an increased police presence.
Sweden has chosen not to raise the terror level further, and Svante Liljegren, head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ consular unit, believes that the attack on Moscow in particular may not cause one to act differently than usual.
“Increased threat to Swedish interests”
But he still thinks that you should pay attention to your surroundings if you are travelling.
– There is still an increased threat to Swedish interests and Swedish citizens, both here at home in Sweden and abroad. It’s something I think we have to get used to.
There are no new guidelines on how Swedes should think about traveling abroad, but we constantly stress the importance of preparation, says Svante Liljegren.
– You should read up on the country you are traveling to, sign up for the Swedish list and download Foreign Ministry travel documents, he says.
Do not contribute to the spread of rumours
If you should be involved in, or be close to, an attack abroad, you should follow the advice of local authorities and follow the media coverage, says Liljegren.
– One should also be careful about sharing too much in social media, it risks contributing to the spread of rumors and increased anxiety.
Any destinations you should avoid?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs continuously monitors basically all countries in order to have as good an idea as possible of threat images.
– But precisely when it comes to Europe, it is difficult to say any single country that you should stay away from.
Liljegren points out that you should not travel to leather, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against.
– You should not go to the countries that Sweden advises against going to, then we have a hard time helping if something were to happen.