Norway: Authorities to ease certain COVID-19 international entry restrictions June 11 /update 44

Event

Authorities plan to ease certain COVID-19-related international entry restrictions. Starting 15:00 June 11, persons who have been fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 in the last six months will not need to quarantine upon entry. This will only apply to travelers who can prove this by showing a secure and verifiable QR code solution; travelers can whether their information may be verified by clicking here.

Generally, only Norwegian citizens and legal residents are allowed to enter the country; however, exemptions are in place for close family members of Norwegian residents, transport workers, individuals in transit, and foreigners who work in critical fields. All travelers, including Norwegian citizens and residents, need to provide a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken no more than 24 hours before arrival; persons arriving by plane may take the test no more than 24 hours before the scheduled departure time for the first leg of the flight. Upon arrival, travelers must take a rapid coronavirus test at the airport or border and wait at the test station until the result is known.

Foreign travelers who reside in designated quarantine-exempt ("yellow") countries or areas may enter without restrictions. As of June 10, Greenland, the Faeroe Islands, Iceland, and the Finnish hospital districts of Central Finland, North Ostrobothnia, South OstrobothniaLappi, Kainuu, North Karelia, Satakunta, South-Karelia, Pohjos-Savo, Vaasa, and Ita-Savo, are the only locations on Norway's quarantine-exempt list. Authorities expect more countries to be added to the list as vaccination rates in the European Economic Area (EEA) increase.

Travelers from European countries with fewer than 150 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants reported in the previous 14 days must self-isolate for 10 days. Those arriving from countries outside of the EEA, Schengen Zone, or the UK must isolate at designated hotels for 10 days. The quarantine period may be shortened if a negative COVID-19 test result is received no earlier than seven days after entry into the country.

All permitted travelers from high-risk areas must register at the Entry Norway website, available by clicking here, within 72 hours before arrival. In addition, cross-border commuters from Sweden and Finland are permitted to enter Norway without isolating, provided they take a COVID-19 test every seven days.

Domestic Restrictions
Some domestic restrictions remain in place in Norway as of June 10. Nonessential businesses and services may operate, albeit subject to strict social distancing and hygiene measures. Individuals are advised to limit their social contact and avoid all nonessential travel; employees must work from home wherever possible. Protective facemasks are recommended rather than mandatory. Municipalities with higher rates of infection may impose stricter measures within their jurisdictions. Persons may receive up to five guests in private homes. Up to 100 people are allowed at indoor events with assigned seating, while up to 200 people can attend outdoor events with assigned seating. Indoor events without assigned seating are capped at 10 attendees, while outdoor events are capped at 50 people.

In Oslo, gatherings are restricted to 10 people indoors and 20 people outdoors. The use of protective facemasks remains mandatory where social distancing of 2 meters (6 feet) cannot be observed.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.