Timeline: News from Norwegian Ministries about the Coronavirus disease Covid-19

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• Travel to Norway

The 10-day transmission quarantine period can now be replaced with daily testing for household members and corresponding close relations. The amendment to the Regulations will enter into effect on 26 January at 12 am.

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• Testing to replace transmission quarantine for close contacts

Minister of Health and Care Services Ingvild Kjerkol is no longer requiring people who have received 3 vaccine doses or who have received 2 doses and have recovered from COVID-19 during the past 3 months to take a PCR test to confirm the presence of the virus. This means that when this group of people receive a positive self-test, they do not need to go to a test centre. They are also requested to use their municipality's solution for registering a positive self-test. The reason for the change is the pressure on the municipalities’ test capacity due to the sharp rise in the infection rate.

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• PCR test no longer required for people with three vaccine doses

Following a recommendation from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, the Norwegian Government is removing the requirement of travel quarantine. It is no longer considered necessary on the grounds of infection control. The requirement will be removed from 26 January 2022 at 12 am.

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• Removal of current travel quarantine requirements

A vaccine will be offered to children aged 5–11 if so requested by their parents or guardians. This vaccination is provided on a voluntary basis, and there is no general recommendation to vaccinate all children in this age group.

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• Vaccination of children and adolescents against COVID-19

The Norwegian Government is making changes to the TISK strategy (testing-isolation-tracing-quarantine). Transmission quarantine is being replaced with more self-testing, and people who receive a positive test result must notify their close contacts.

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• Changes to the TISK strategy

There continues to be a need for national measures. The infection rate is expected to remain high in the coming weeks, but Norwegian society is better equipped to handle the virus. Several measures can therefore be eased now.

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• The Norwegian Government is easing measures

The high demand for rapid antigen tests and self-tests requires that the municipalities now clearly prioritise who to test. The Norwegian Government has also tasked the Norwegian Directorate of Health with procuring more tests immediately. A single set of quarantine rules will be in effect from 15 December at 12 am, regardless of the virus variant.

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• Clearer test prioritisation and stricter quarantine rules

Administering more booster doses is a matter of urgency. The Norwegian Government is now asking the Norwegian Armed Forces to aid municipalities that need help with the vaccination effort. It will also become easier for the municipalities to receive help with vaccination from pharmacies.

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• Increased pace of vaccination

The Norwegian Government is introducing new national infection control measures to prevent the health and care service from becoming overwhelmed and to protect critical societal functions. There will be stricter rules on events for adults and night life, for the culture sector and for organised leisure activities. There will be a ban on serving alcohol at public venues throughout the country.

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• Stricter national measures to limit the spread of Omicron

The Norwegian Government has decided to introduce a number of national infection control measures to reduce the strain on the health and care sector, and delay and limit the spread of the Omicron variant.

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• New national measures to keep the pandemic under control

The Norwegian Government has decided to also introduce a duty to complete transmission quarantine for other close contacts of people who it is suspected may have been infected with the Omicron variant. Currently, the duty to quarantine in these cases only covers household members of the suspected case and corresponding relations.

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• Transmission quarantine required for close contacts of suspected cases of the Omicron variant

The Norwegian Government is introducing new national measures to delay the spread of the Omicron variant. People are recommended to keep a distance and to avoid shaking hands and hugging each other.

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• The Norwegian Government is introducing new national measures

The Norwegian Government is introducing stricter test requirements at the border in order to delay and limit the spread of the new Omicron virus variant. From Friday 3 December at 12 am, any person who arrives in Norway must get tested, regardless of their vaccination status.

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• All travellers arriving in Norway must take a test after arrival

A number of measures are being introduced now to delay the spread of the new Omicron variant when it comes to the country.

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• Measures are being introduced to delay the spread of the Omicron variant in Norway

The Norwegian Government is introducing national measures to keep the pandemic under control. The most important measure is offering people over the age of 65 a booster dose as soon as possible.

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• The Norwegian Government introduces new national measures

The Norwegian Government is introducing several measures with immediate effect to limit and delay the spread of the new virus variant that was detected in South Africa.

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• The Norwegian Government is introducing measures to limit the spread of a new virus variant to Norway

The Norwegian Government is now asking municipalities to offer a booster dose to people over the age of 45 after it has been offered to all people over the age of 65. People over the age of 18 with serious underlying health conditions and everyone who works in the health and care service will now be offered a booster dose.

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• Municipalities must prepare to offer a third dose to all people over the age of 45

The Norwegian Government is making provisions to offer all people over the age of 18 a booster dose.

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• Booster dose to be offered to all adults

Increasing number of COVID-19 patients have been admitted to hospital, and the health services around the country are under pressure. The Norwegian Government is therefore introducing a few more national measures to reduce the infection rate, but the different municipalities are the ones who are most familiar with their local situation and are able to introduce targeted measures.

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• Local measures offer the best results

The Norwegian Government has decided to keep downscaled TISK (test-isolate-trace-and-quarantine), as well as the current entry restrictions.

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• Entry restrictions and coronavirus measures in the municipalities to continue

The Norwegian Government has decided that Norway will move to normal everyday life with increased emergency preparedness on Saturday 25 September at 4 pm.

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• Norway moves to normal everyday life with increased emergency preparedness

In ‘A normal everyday life with increased emergency preparedness’, the Norwegian Government will remove entry restrictions in three phases. Phase 1 will begin on Saturday 25 September at 4 pm.

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• Entry restrictions will be gradually lifted

The global advice against non-essential travel to all countries with the exception of the EU/EEA countries, Switzerland and the UK, as well as certain countries and regions outside Europe, will not be extended after 1 October.

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• Global travel advice to be rescinded as of 1 October

The Norwegian Government is now presenting more details about what 'Normal everyday life with increased emergency preparedness’ means. When the time comes to move to ‘Normal everyday life with increased emergency preparedness’, the pandemic will have little impact on the everyday lives of the population. The Norwegian Government will return to the question of when we can move to 'Normal everyday life with increased emergency preparedness’ later.

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• What does 'Normal everyday life with increased emergency preparedness’ mean?

The Norwegian Government has decided to introduce downscaled TISK in the municipalities from 27 September. When the time comes to move to ‘Normal everyday life with increased emergency preparedness’, downscaled TISK will be kept for a transitional period of about 4 weeks.

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• Downscaled TISK to be introduced in the municipalities

Vaccination is the way out of the pandemic, and the second dose offers good protection against serious illness and infection. Norway will continue to switch between the two mRNA vaccines, so that as many people as possible can be fully vaccinated as soon as possible.

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• Travel and combining vaccines

The same measures will be eased for people who have been vaccinated using vaccines approved in the UK, the USA, or by WHO, as for people vaccinated using EMA-approved vaccines.

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• More vaccines approved in the COVID-19 certificate

The Norwegian Government has decided to offer a COVID-19 vaccine to children aged 12–15, in accordance with the recommendation from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. This age group will initially be offered one vaccine dose.

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• Vaccination offered to 12 and 15-year-olds

Due to the infection rate and the considerable pressure on the municipalities, the Norwegian Government has decided to remain at Step 3 of the reopening plan until more people have been fully vaccinated.

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• Norway to remain at Step 3

Romantic partners and family members from countries outside the EU/EEA will be allowed to enter Norway from 12 September.

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• Entry restrictions eased for romantic partners and family members

People who have recovered from COVID-19 in Norway will now be exempt from transmission quarantine for 12 months. The COVID-19 certificate for domestic use will be updated, so that it is green for 12 months after recovery from COVID-19.

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• Transmission quarantine exemption extended from 6 to 12 months

An increasing proportion of the population have been vaccinated and this means that we are now in a position to ease some of the current travel restrictions. However, while we are further opening the border, we must be prepared for the possibility that the situation may change rapidly. The infection situation remains complex and serious in many places around the world,’ says Monica Mæland, Minister of Justice and Public Security.

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• Further easing of entry restrictions

The list of ‘purple’ countries has been changed following advice from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. The USA has been removed from the list due to the current infection situation. This means that partners and grandparents may not arrive in Norway from the USA as of 00:01 on Monday 12 July. Travellers from the USA must undergo quarantine in a quarantine hotel unless they meet the requirements for an exemption.

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• Stricter rules for travellers from the USA

The Norwegian Government is planning to offer a vaccine against COVID-19 to 16 and 17-year-olds after the over-18s have been fully vaccinated. The final decision will be made in September.

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• Plans to offer a vaccine to 16 and 17-year-olds

The Norwegian Government is planning to offer a vaccine against COVID-19 to 16 and 17-year-olds after the over-18s have been fully vaccinated. The final decision will be made in September.

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• Plans to offer a vaccine to 16 and 17-year-olds

The Norwegian Government has revised its long-term strategy and emergency preparedness plan for the management of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has called the phase after Step 4 ‘Normal everyday life, with increased preparedness’.

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• Normal everyday life, with increased preparedness

Following a recommendation from the Norwegian Directorate of Health and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, the Norwegian Government has decided to delay Step 4 of the reopening plan. The transition to Step 4 will be possible at the end of July or the beginning of August, at the earliest.

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• Step 4 is being delayed – adjustments to Step 3 of the reopening plan

From 5 July, Norwegian entry restrictions and quarantine rules will be based on the same threshold values as those applied in the EU. The Norwegian Government has made several changes on the basis of the weekly country assessments by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, and many countries are now being categorised as green. For the first time, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health has also assessed some of the archipelagos in Europe, and certain third countries. All of the changes will enter into effect on Monday 5 July at 12 am.

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• Major changes to country assessments – more countries are being categorised as green

From 5 July, Norwegian entry restrictions and quarantine rules will be based on the same threshold values as those applied in the EU. The Norwegian Government has made several changes on the basis of the weekly country assessments by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, and many countries are now being categorised as green. For the first time, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health has also assessed some of the archipelagos in Europe, and certain third countries. All of the changes will enter into effect on Monday 5 July at 12 am.

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• Major changes to country assessments – more countries are being categorised as green

Many EEA citizens can enter Norway now. The Norwegian Government plans to allow even more groups of people to enter the country from the end of July. This includes workers from the EEA and their family members.

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• Plans to ease entry restrictions

Many EEA citizens can enter Norway now. The Norwegian Government plans to allow even more groups of people to enter the country from the end of July. This includes workers from the EEA and their family members.

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• Plans to ease entry restrictions

From 5 July, entry into Norway will be allowed for more foreign nationals who reside in certain countries on the EU’s third country list following an assessment of these countries by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

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• Entry restrictions for families and romantic partners eased

Once the Regulation governing the EU Digital COVID Certificate (EUDCC) enters into effect today, 1 July, all EU/EEA countries will be under an obligation to accept the COVID-19 certificate as proof of recovery from COVID-19, vaccination, or a negative test result in connection with travel. The COVID-19 certificate must be connected to the EUDCC gateway.

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• All EU/EEA countries accept the COVID-19 certificate for travel

On Thursday 24 June, Norway will connect to the EU’s Digital COVID certificate gateway. People who are fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 during the past 6 months and have a valid COVID certificate may therefore enter Norway. They will not be subject to a duty to quarantine, test requirements, or entry registration. From 1 July, all European countries that are connected to the EUDCC gateway will be able to verify the Norwegian COVID-19 certificate at their borders.

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• Norway is connecting to the EU Digital COVID certificate (EUDCC) gateway

‘The Norwegian Government is now easing several infection control measures that apply to travel operations in Svalbard and cruises along the Norwegian coast. This includes an end to the requirement to present a negative result from a test for SARS-CoV-2 prior to departure to Svalbard for people who can document that they are protected and can present a COVID-19 certificate’, says Minister of Health and Care Services Bent Høie.

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• Changes to infection control measures for travel operations in Svalbard and for cruises along the Norwegian coast

The Norwegian Government is continuing to reopen society, and is moving to Step 3 of the reopening plan. People can now have more guests at home, more people can attend events, and working from home will be less of a requirement. Children and adolescents will be able to attend inter-regional sports and cultural events without needing to keep a 1 metre distance from others.

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• The Norwegian Government is continuing to reopen society

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 Poland, Romania and  certain hospital districts in Finland from ‘red’ to ‘yellow’ on the map showing the status for quarantine on entry to Norway from Europe.

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• Changes in the travel advice for countries and areas in Europe

With effect from 5 July, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will rescind its official travel advice for the EEA/Schengen area and the United Kingdom as well as countries on the EU’s third-country ‘safe list’ that the Norwegian Institute of Public Health also views as safe.

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• Reopening: Gradual introduction of a safe travel framework

With effect from 5 July, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will rescind its official travel advice for the EEA/Schengen area and the United Kingdom as well as countries on the EU’s third-country ‘safe list’ that the Norwegian Institute of Public Health also views as safe.

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• Reopening: Gradual introduction of a safe travel framework

People who are fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 during the past 6 months will be exempt from travel quarantine from Friday 11 June at 3 pm. This is conditional on their being able to provide documentation of vaccination or of having recovered from COVID-19 using a secure and verifiable QR code solution. Children and adolescents under the age of 18 may shorten their quarantine period if they can present a negative result from a PCR test taken no sooner than 3 days after arrival.

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• Exemption from travel quarantine

The Norwegian Government has decided that the Janssen vaccine will be offered outside the COVID-19 vaccination programme. From 15 June, people will be able to book an appointment for an assessment by a doctor in private practice, a vaccination clinic, or a general practitioner who offers the vaccine.

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• The Janssen vaccine on an optional basis

People who are protected and children under the age of 12 who present a negative result from a test taken 3 days after arrival will be able to end travel quarantine.

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• Shorter travel quarantine for protected people and children under the age of 12

On 27 May, the quarantine hotel programme was changed, so that the rate of infection in the country a person has visited now determines whether they must stay at a quarantine hotel or not.

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• More people may quarantine in their own home

The Norwegian Government has established a very narrow application scheme for exemption from the duty to stay at a quarantine hotel for people with particularly strong reasons.

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• Exemption from the duty to stay at a quarantine hotel on compelling compassionate grounds

A COVID-19 certificate for domestic use will be ready on 11 June. The certificate will offer two display options: a simple one for use in Norway and a more detailed one for border crossing in the EU and the EEA.

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• Verifiable COVID-19 certificate ready on 11 June

The distinction between necessary and unnecessary travel is removed for entry into Norway so that travellers from the UK and countries in the EEA/Schengen area with a low rate of infection do not have to stay at a quarantine hotel. People who have been to areas with a high rate of infection must stay at a quarantine hotel, regardless of the purpose of the trip. Exemptions from the entry restrictions are introduced for foreign nationals who reside in areas that are not subject to the duty to quarantine in Norway.

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• Changes to the quarantine hotel programme and easing of entry restrictions

The Ministry has changed the documentation requirements for proving residence in Norway and thus the right to enter the country.

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• Entry restrictions: Changes to the documentation requirements for foreign nationals who reside in Norway

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 Iceland and a number of hospital districts in Finland from ‘red’ to ‘yellow’ on the map showing the status for quarantine on entry to Norway from Europe.

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

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is extending its global advice against non-essential travel to all countries to apply until 1 July.

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• Global travel advice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be extended until 1 July

Effective from 21 May, changes will be implemented to the documentation required to prove one’s residency in Norway, and as such being allowed entry.

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• Exceptions from entry restrictions – Easing the documentation requirements for foreign nationals residing in Norway

The government has decided that, effective from Thursday 13 May 12:00 noon, travellers from the UK shall be subject to the same quarantine rules as travellers from the EEA/Schengen area, and not to the rules applicable to other countries outside the EEA/Schengen area.

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• Changes in quarantine rules for travellers from the UK

The government has decided that travelers who have stayed in countries outside the EEA / Schengen will go to quarantine hotels on arrival in Norway. This applies regardless of whether the trip has been necessary or not.

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• More travellers need to stay at a quarantine hotel

The reopening plan of Norway is not scheduled on specific dates, but it clarifies the conditions that must be met for the reopening to happen. The plan also sets out the order in which the various parts of society will reopen. Data, not dates, decide the pace of the reopening process. Children and young people will be prioritised; next, jobs and the business sector.

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• The Government’s plan for a gradual reopening: Out of the crisis together

These are the government recommendations on how to enjoy the holidays in a Covid-safe manner.

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• These are the recommendations for the Easter holidays

In order to prevent the spread of infection to the areas with low infection rates the Government, following the recommendations of the Norwegian Directorate of Health and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, is implementing stricter national measures. These measures are in effect from 00:01 Thursday, March 25, and will remain in force until further notice. A new assessment will be made before April 12.

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• The Government is implementing stricter national measures

In order to avoid the border closure having an excessive impact on infrastructure projects, the application-based exemption scheme is to be expanded to include specialist personnel who are required for the construction, operation or maintenance of infrastructure.

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• Limited expansion of exemption scheme to include specialist personnel who are involved in the construction, operation or maintenance of infrastructure

Viken county municipality is experiencing heightened rates of infection involving the English strain of the virus, and is unable to contact trace a significant proportion of these infections. Following the recommendations of the county governor, the Norwegian Directorate of Health and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, the government is implementing Level A measures (a very high level of measures) across Viken county municipality, as well as in the municipality of Gran in Innlandet county municipality, effective 00:01 on Tuesday 16 March. These measures will remain in force until the end of Sunday 11 April.

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• Strict regional measures to be introduced throughout Viken county municipality

The Easter holidays are in just a few weeks’ time, which is why the government has today announced a series of recommendations on how to enjoy the holidays in a Covid-safe manner.

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• The government’s recommendations for Easter

Anyone undertaking unnecessary leisure travel abroad must stay at a quarantine hotel when they return to Norway. In addition, the current strict entry restrictions are being extended, which generally means that only foreigners residing in Norway will be allowed to enter the country, initially up until 7 April.

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• More people must go into hotel quarantine and entry restrictions to be extended

The government will follow the Norwegian Institute of Public Health’s recommendation to offer the AstraZeneca vaccine to people over the age of 65 based on new knowledge around the vaccine’s effectiveness on this demographic group. Following scientific advice from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, the government has resolved that the interval between the first and second dose may be extended from three to six weeks. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health will shortly reach a scientific conclusion. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health will also evaluate whether the interval may be extended beyond a period of six weeks.

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• Changes to the vaccine strategy

The government is to introduce a new compensation scheme for non-Norwegian employees who are unable to work in Norway due to the current tight border restrictions. This proposal will see all affected employees compensated for the period from 29 January onwards.

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• Income protection for locked out EEA citizens

The new strain of the virus is spreading quickly and infection rates are on the rise. Municipalities suffering from outbreaks have introduced strict measures. If infections do not fall, the government will be obliged to quickly introduce new nationwide measures.

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• Infections must fall

Daily commuters from Sweden and Finland have been in a particularly difficult situation since Norway’s border was, in effect, closed. Starting Monday 1 March, daily commuters from Sweden and Finland will again be able to come to work in Norway under a strict testing and control regime.

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• Solution for daily commuters from Sweden and Finland with a strict testing and control regime

The Government has decided to simplify the regional measures implemented to combat local coronavirus outbreaks set out in the COVID-19 Regulations. The number of levels of measures has been reduced from four to three, and the terms ‘Ring 1’ and ‘Ring 2’ will no longer be used.

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• The Government simplifies the scheme for regional coronavirus measures

The government is largely extending the national infection prevention measures that are in place. There will be some easing of the measures applicable to children, young people and students.

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• National infection prevention measures: Easing of measures applicable to children, young people and students

The government is announcing new measures to limit the spread of Covid-19. The government will also increase its checks while enforcing stricter rules in relation to the use of quarantine hotels. The government is also establishing a limited, application-based scheme to facilitate exemptions from the entry restrictions in place. This will apply to technical personnel and will take effect on 20 February.

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• Stricter rules upon arrival in Norway

The government has today introduced the statutory authority to deport foreign citizens who violate the testing and registration requirements stipulated in the Covid-19 regulations.

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• Deportation of foreigners who do not register prior to arrival or submit to testing at the border

It is almost the winter break, and in light of this the Norwegian Directorate of Health and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health have prepared national guidelines on how to plan and take holidays in a Covid-safe manner.

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• How to spend your winter break in Norway

The Government is now presenting three potential pathways for the pandemic and infection control measures going forward: An optimistic scenario, a middle-ground scenario and a pessimistic scenario.

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• Future scenarios for the pandemic

From 18 January, all travellers to Norway from countries on the travel quarantine list are obliged to get tested before entering the country. Capacity at existing testing centres has been expanded and more testing centres have been established.

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• NOK 825 million for mandatory border testing

The Government is continuing measures to reduce the rate of infection and prevent the contagious variant of the virus from spreading, but is relaxing restrictions for children and young people and workplaces.

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• Infection control measures are continued – but restrictions eased for children and young people

Today, the Government is presenting proposals for new, extended financial measures in the total amount of NOK 16 billion. The measures are aimed at young people, students and furloughed workers, among others.

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• New financial measures to tackle the pandemic

To limit the risk of transmitting the significantly more contagious variant of the coronavirus, the Government is imposing far stricter rules on foreign nationals who seek entry to Norway. In general, only foreign nationals who reside in Norway will be permitted to enter.

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• Norway introduces its strictest entry rules since March 2020

The requirement to present a negative SARS-CoV-2 test prior to arrival when travelling to Norway is being amended to require a test taken 24 hours prior to departure instead of 72 hours. Furthermore, all persons who have been to the UK, South Africa, Ireland, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal and Brazil must undergo a PCR test at the Norwegian border. The quarantine rules are being tightened and will now apply to arrivals from all countries, with fewer exemptions in place and increased requirements in terms of testing.

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• Stricter rules for testing and quarantine upon arrival to stop coronavirus mutation

In order to halt the outbreak of the UK mutation in Nordre Follo, the Government has decided to impose very strict measures from 12.00 on Saturday 23 January in ten municipalities in Eastern Norway. The municipalities support the Government’s decision to adopt these measures.

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• Strict measures in ten municipalities following UK COVID-19 mutation outbreak

The Norwegian Government is generally continuing the strict infection control measures to prevent a new wave of infections but is easing some measures for children and young people. The national level of measures for schools is downgraded to yellow, and local sports and leisure activities for children and young people are no longer discouraged. The recommendation to avoid home visits remains in effect but everyone should limit social contact.

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• Continuation of most national measures but easing of measures for children and young people

Norway has one of the strictest systems for entry and testing in Europe. The Norwegian Government is now further tightening the control system to limit import infection.

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• Stricter measures to reduce import infection

The global travel advice will be extended to apply until 1 March 2021.

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• Global travel advice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be extended

In order to maintain control of the spread of infection and to limit new increases in infection rates, strengthened national infection prevention measures are being implemented on a temporary basis for two weeks effective 4 January.

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• Introduction of further national infection prevention measures

The hold on direct flights from the United Kingdom will be repealed from Saturday January 2nd 2021.

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• Norway lifts ban on flights from United Kingdom from January 2nd 2021

From January 2nd 2021, the government has imposed mandatory testing for Covid-19 for all travellers to Norway. The test must be done as soon as possible and within 24 hours after arrival at the latest. Travellers must enter Norway through border stations with testing facilities or through border stations with police control. Several smaller border stations will be closed.

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• Mandatory testing for travellers to Norway

The Norwegian Government is introducing new quarantine rules to contribute to more people being tested and to improve compliance with the quarantine rules. Travellers arriving in Norway from abroad may, at the earliest, end quarantine on day seven if they test negative for Covid-19 twice after arrival. The first test must be taken within three days of arrival, and the second, at the earliest, seven days after arrival.

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• New quarantine rules will contribute to more travellers being tested

Today the Norwegian Government approved an amendment to the COVID-19 regulations that requires all people entering into Norway to register themselves as a step in improving infection control. The amendment enters into force at 12 noon today, Monday 21 December.

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• Government introduced registration requirement for all people entering Norway

Norway is banning all direct flights from the United Kingdom with immediate effect. This measure will initially apply for a period of 48 hours, but it may be extended. Additionally, a series of restrictions applicable to travellers arriving from the United Kingdom will be tightened.

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• Norway to ban direct flights from the United Kingdom

Government amends Covid-19 regulations relating to quarantine hotels. The most recent change sees the removal of the requirements to stay in a quarantine hotel for persons whose stay is for purposes other than work or an assignment and who can document that they have access to another suitable location for their quarantine stay.

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• Changes to quarantine hotel regulations

The Government has established several measures to ensure that next year’s winter fishing will be carried out in a safe and orderly fashion.

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• Measures for Winter Fishing in Northern Norway

The Ministry of Justice and Public Security has today proposed a new statutory authority governing the requirement for a negative Covid-19 test in order to be admitted to Norway. This will also make it easier to deport foreign citizens in the event that they commit serious violations of the quarantine regulations applicable to those arriving in Norway.

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• New statutory authority relating to requirements for a negative Covid-19 test result prior to entry into Norway and deportations in the event of violations of quarantine regulations

The government has decided to introduce a travel registration system, in which anyone wanting to cross Norwegian borders must register information including their name, contact details, quarantine location and employer if applicable.

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• Introduction of a digital travel registration system

Infection prevention measures will remain necessary during the Christmas holidays, but the government is introducing a number measures to allow people to celebrate Christmas and New Year in a way that is more similar to what they are used to.

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• Infection prevention measures necessary during Christmas holidays

On 16 March, Norway reintroduced controls at the internal borders as a measure to limit the spread of Covid-19. The Government has decided to continue these measures and will, in line with our obligations, notify the EU of this.

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• Continuation of controls at the internal borders

The Government has today announced the introduction of the requirement of a negative Covid-19 test when entering Norway. Foreign nations who cannot present documentation of such a test can be refused entry.

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• Requirement of negative Covid-19 test to enter Norway

The Government is introducing a requirement that people in entry quarantine must stay at a quarantine hotel during the 10-day quarantine period. This requirement will not apply to people who reside in Norway or own a home or holiday home in Norway.

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• The Corona situation: Requirement to stay at quarantine hotel

Norway stands at the beginning of the second wave of infection. The virus is spreading rapidly and all counties now have outbreaks of infection. The Government is therefore introducing new national infection control measures.

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• Stay at home, have as little social contact as possible

The Government is introducing new targeted measures for a time-limited period in order to safeguard life and health and to prevent Norway from ending up in the same situation as many other European countries.

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• New national restrictions

The Government has decided to allow more family members from outside the EU/EEA to visit relatives in Norway. Grandparents are among those who will now be able to visit. The rules on entry quarantine remain unchanged.

The global travel advice will be extended to apply until 15 January 2021. With regard to countries in the Schengen area/EEA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is maintaining its advice against non-essential travel to all countries apart from those for which an exception has been made.

• Read the press release

Norway is to lead the effort to ensure that the global activities to fight the Covid-19 pandemic are as effective as possible. Together with South Africa, Norway has been chosen to co-chair the Facilitation Council for the Access to Covid-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, which has been set up to promote equitable access to Covid-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines.

• Read the press release

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is now advising against non-essential travel to Germany and Liechtenstein, as well as to the regions of Kalmar and Västerbotten in Sweden.

• See the press release

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs changes the advice for some countries in the EEA/Schengen area and is now advising against non-essential travel to Austria, Greece, Ireland, the UK and certain regions in Sweden and Denmark.

• Read the press release

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ global advice against non-essential travel to all countries has been extended and will now apply until 1 October.

• Read the whole story

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is introducing new exceptions to the travel advice against non-essential travel to all countries. The new exceptions apply to individual countries in the Schengen area/EEA from 15 July.

• Read the whole story

• Read the article

Norway contributes NOK 22,5 million to Covid-19 test-kits provided by The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

• Read the story

Friday 27 March, the Government put forward additional financial measures to address the consequences of the coronavirus outbreak.

• Read press release

The Government will allocate more than NOK 2 billion to the development of vaccines to protect us against pandemics. New digital solutions are being developed to make COVID-19 contact tracing easier.

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Norway is to increase its support for the work to develop vaccines against the virus that has caused the current Covid-19 pandemic and against future epidemics by NOK 2.2 billion.

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Minister of International Development Dag-Inge Ulstein spoke on the phone today with Malawi’s Minister of Health and Population, Jappie Mhango. Norway is to contribute NOK 13.4 million for the procurement of urgently needed equipment, including personal protective equipment for health workers, in the country.

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The Government is continuing all the measures implemented to combat the coronavirus outbreak in Norway until over the Easter holiday, through 13 April.

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The government has proposed to establish a loan programme where lenders receive a guarantee on 90 percent of the value of new loans issued to small and medium-sized enterprises hit by the coronavirus outbreak. The government has also proposed to reinstate the Government Bond Fund as a measure to support larger companies. The two programmes combined will cover up to NOK 100 billion in loans and will contribute to improved liquidity access for Norwegian companies, and thus help secure jobs.

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The number of people being laid off temporarily has shot up since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak. Both people who are laid off or lose their jobs and employers will receive more compensation under new rules.

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Several countries are now supporting Norway’s appeal for funding for the development of a vaccine against the Covid-19 virus. Germany, Sweden, Finland and Denmark are among the countries that are now pledging millions.

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‘It is a very demanding time for the culture, voluntary and sport sectors, with businesses, organisations, clubs, associations and individuals seeing their income completely or partially disappear almost overnight. The Government will do what we can to help remedy the situation, and I am pleased to present a set of robust measures,’ said Minister of Culture and Equality Abid Q. Raja.

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People who are in quarantine, but who are symptom-free, may now leave Norway on condition that sound infection control measures are practiced during transport from the place of quarantine to the place of departure.

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‘We are in a serious and unpredictable situation. It is becoming harder for many Norwegian citizens to return home because more and more countries are closing their borders and airspace and introducing states of emergency. The Government wants very much to help travelling Norwegians get safely home to Norway. We are therefore working closely with SAS, Norwegian and Widerøe airlines to help Norwegian citizens who are now on trips abroad to return to Norway,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide.

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On 16 March, the Nordic and Baltic countries' Foreign Ministers and Norway's State Secretary decided to help their citizens in their return home.

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‘I am pleased, as the Minister of Culture and Equality, to assure voluntary organisations on behalf of the Government that they will keep state grants which they have already received or for which an administrative decision has been taken that they are to receive. This concerns activities that cannot be carried out due to rules issued by the health authorities,’ said Minister of Culture and Gender Equality Abid Q. Raja (Liberal Party).

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The government has proposed two new loan measures, providing support of a total of NOK 100 billion. The package will improve Norwegian businesses’ access to the necessary liquidity in the challenging situation they are now facing.

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All transport of goods, both import and export, which does not involve the carriage of passengers is to carry on as normal by road, trains, ships and aircraft. Airports, ports and border crossings are being kept open for such traffic.

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The Government will close the border to foreign nationals who lack a residence permit in Norway. They will be turned away at the border under provisions of a Norwegian law relating to the control of communicable diseases. Temporary entry and exit controls will also be introduced at the internal Schengen border.

Norwegian airports are not closing. All Norwegian citizens and persons who live or work in Norway will continue to be let into the country.

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Regulations on quarantine etc. after travelling outside the Nordic region were approved in the Council of State on 13 March 2020. In addition, the King’s special authority pursuant to section 7-12 of the Act relating to control of communicable diseases was delegated to the Ministry of Health and Care Services. The Regulations repeal the Regulations relating to a Decision under to the Act relating to control of communicable diseases, section 4-1, second paragraph, on quarantine (isolation) after travelling outside the Nordic region, which was adopted by the Directorate of Health on 12 March 2020.

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against all international travel that is not strictly necessary. The reason is the increasing spread of coronavirus internationally and the unpredictable and difficult situation faced by many travellers. For now, this advice will remain in effect until 14 April.

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against trips to the United States and France that are not strictly necessary.

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The fundamentals of the Norwegian economy are strong, with a dynamic business sector, a well-functioning labour market and resilient banks. A robust economic policy framework provides flexibility, and strong public finances make the government well positioned to support the economy when needed. Furthermore, over the last years the Norwegian economy has become much less dependent on the oil and gas industry than before the drop in oil-prices in 2014.

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Today, the Ministry of Finance has decided to follow Norges Bank’s advice to reduce the countercyclical capital buffer requirement from 2.5 to 1 percent with immediate effect. Norges Bank says that there is a risk of a pronounced economic downturn as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. The buffer requirement is reduced to prevent tighter lending standards from amplifying a downturn.

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to make Norwegian citizens aware of the fact that certain countries are introducing measures and/or restrictions for people entering their countries. This will affect Norwegian citizens or others travelling to these countries from Norway. Norwegian citizens who are currently travelling, or who are considering travelling, are therefore urged to familiarise themselves with the rules for entry into the country or countries concerned.

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The first cases of the coronavirus has been confirmed in Norway. The Norwegian health authorities are monitoring the situation closely and are prepared for more cases.

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