Changes in the travel advice for some of the regions in the Nordic countries

Based on the Norwegian Institute of Public Health’s weekly assessment of the Covid-19 situation, the Government has decided to change the status of the regions of Blekinge and Södermanland in Sweden and the region of Uusimaa in Finland from ‘yellow’ to ‘red’ on the map showing the status for quarantine on entry to Norway from Europe. From midnight on Friday 2 October, anyone arriving in Norway from these regions 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 the region of Päijät Häme in Finland. This region will therefore be excepted from the Ministry’s global travel advice, and will change from ‘red’ to ‘yellow’ on the map showing the status for quarantine on entry to Norway from Europe.  

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, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, the Vatican State, and certain regions in Denmark, Sweden and Finland. See the list published on the website of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. 

These changes will apply from midnight on Friday 2 October. 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.

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.

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.