Changes in the travel advice for Italy and Slovenia

On the basis of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health’s weekly assessment of the Covid-19 situation, the Government has decided to advise against non-essential travel to these countries. These countries are being changed from ‘yellow’ to ‘red’ on the map showing the status for quarantine on entry to Norway from Europe. From 5 September, anyone arriving in Norway from these countries will be required to go into quarantine for 10 days. See the website of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health for more information.

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health has recommended removing the quarantine requirement for travellers from Cyprus, as the number of Covid-19 cases is sinking there. As of 31 August, there were fewer than 20 new confirmed Covid-19 cases per 100 000 inhabitants for the preceding two weeks. Cyprus will therefore be excepted from the Ministry’s global travel advice, and will  be changed from ‘red’ to ‘yellow’ on the map showing the status for quarantine on entry to Norway from Europe.

The same applies to the Swedish regions of Gotland, Jämtland, Värmland, Västerbotten, Västernorrland and Örebro, as well as the region Zealand in Denmark. These regions will be changed from ‘red’ to ‘yellow’ on the map showing the status for quarantine on entry to Norway from Europe.

In addition to Italy, San Marino, Slovenia and the Vatican State, the Ministry advises against non-essential travel to the following countries and regions in the Schengen area/EEA: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, and certain regions in Sweden and Denmark. See the list published on the website of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

These changes will apply from midnight on Friday 4 September. The infection situation and local restrictions can both change very quickly. Anyone who is considering travelling abroad should think carefully about whether it is necessary for them to travel, and make sure that they know what the situation is in the country they are planning to visit. Exceptions to the travel advice are not intended to encourage travel abroad.

People who have returned to Norway from a country that becomes ‘red’ after their return must monitor their health for symptoms of Covid-19. It is very important that they get themselves tested if they experience any symptoms, and that they practise good hand hygiene and maintain a distance of at least one metre from other people.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is maintaining its global advice against non-essential travel to all countries apart from those for which an exception has been made. This travel advice currently applies until 1 October. For an updated overview of countries in the Schengen area/EEA and the Nordic countries and regions that are excepted from the travel advice, see the Institute of Public Health’s map showing the status for quarantine on entry to Norway from Europe and the Ministry’s travel information.