Swedish twins separated by border closure due to Covid-19 meet on a bridge

Pontus (left) sits on the Swedish side while his brother Ola sits on the Norwegian side of the old bridge of Svinesund with the respective country flags and the new Svinesund Bridge in the background. Photos: AFP

They haven't been allowed to have each other over to their homes for a year now because of Covid-19. So come rain or shine, two 73-year-old Swedish twins have met every Saturday, each on their side of the border, on a bridge that links Norway and Sweden.

Every week, Ola and Pontus Berglund each keeps well behind a thin, yet impassable line on the ground, toting camping chairs, thermoses, sandwiches – and plenty of good cheer.