Norway: Norway allows travel to and from Finland, Iceland, and Swedish island from June 15 /update 10

Event

Norway will allow travel to and from Finland, Iceland, and the Swedish island of Gotland from Monday, June 15, amid the further easing of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions. Travel restrictions will remain for mainland Sweden due its higher level of COVID-19 cases; Sweden confirmed 1396 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, while Norway reported only 13. Prime Minister Erna Solberg said Norway will assess the public health situations of each Nordic nation and will review its travel advice every fortnight from June 12.

On May 12, restrictions on European Economic Area (EEA) citizens visiting immediate family members were eased. The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) website has lists of those permitted to visit Norwegian family members and those allowed to visit non-Norwegian family resident in Norway. Non-residents are still able to transit via Norwegian airports as long as the final destination is not within Norway itself. 

As of June 12, Norway has recorded 8613 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, and 242 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is likely in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the virus.