Government introduced registration requirement for all people entering Norway

All people entering Norway will be required to register their name, contact details, place of quarantine and employer (if applicable) and any other information requested. The general rule is that all people, including Norwegian citizens, must register their information. Pending the implementation of a digital solution, the scheme is paper-based. Until the digital solution is in operation, the registration form must be filled in and printed out on paper and submitted at the border. The digital solution is expected to be up and running by early 2021.

‘Registration of all people entering Norway will provide us with better information about everyone who crosses the border. This system will greatly benefit the infection control and contact tracing efforts of the health sector, and will also be of use to the police and the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority in investigating violations of the quarantine regulations,’ said Minister of Justice and Public Security Monica Mæland.

To reduce the importation risk of COVID-19 from people who are unaware that they are infected when they enter the country, it is extremely important that quarantine regulations are complied with. Therefore the scheme will also hold the individual accountable for carrying out quarantine in a suitable place. The registration requirement will in principle apply to all people entering the country, including Norwegian citizens, but certain exceptions will be made, such as for children under 16 who are travelling with an adult.

The purpose of registration is to ensure compliance with the quarantine requirements, enhance infection control and promote more effective contact tracing. This means that the information may be passed on in all cases where it is necessary for these purposes.

In addition, the information may be used in connection with statistics and analysis. In keeping with the provisions of the EU General Data Protection Regulation it is therefore important that the data can be adequately anonymised before they are used in this way. The amended COVID-19 regulations provide an exhaustive list of the personal data categories that will be registered. The data are to be deleted after 20 days.

‘The failure to register on entry into Norway will be punishable by fine unless there are reasonable grounds for not registering. So it is important that people take this seriously,’ said Ms Mæland.

Registration in the entry registration system is not, however, a formal condition for entry into Norway, nor does the failure to register provide grounds for rejection of foreign nationals.

Registration form for persons travelling to Norway and confirmation of suitable accommodation for quarantine purposes (in English, in addition to several other languages)