Changes in the travel advice for countries and areas in the Nordic region

Based on the Norwegian Institute of Public Health’s assessment of the Covid-19 situation, the Government has decided today to change the status of the Central Ostrobothnia Hospital District, Itä-Savo Hospital District, Lappi Hospital District and Satakunta Hospital District in Finland from ‘yellow’ to ‘red’ on the map showing the status for quarantine on entry to Norway from Europe. From midnight on Sunday 7 February, anyone arriving in Norway from these areas, and who satisfies the criteria for entry to the country, will be required to go into quarantine for 10 days. Norway introduces its strictest entry rules since March 2020 - regjeringen.no As a general rule, only foreign nationals who have residency in Norway will be allowed entry to the country.

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health has recommended removing the quarantine requirement for travellers from Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and the Kainuu Hospital District and Åland in Finland. These areas 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.    

There will not be any other changes involving the Nordic countries and regions and the Schengen area/EEA. The Ministry advises against non-essential travel to the following countries and regions in the Schengen area/EEA: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Vatican State, and certain regions and areas in Denmark and Finland. See the list published on the website of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. 

The new changes will apply from midnight on Sunday 7 February. 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 or area 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 March 2021. 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.

As of 1 January 2021, the UK is no longer a member of the EU. Subsequently, the UK will no longer be included in the Institute of Public Health’s assessment process and will be subject to the same quarantine requirements as other countries outside the Schengen area/EEA (third countries).