On Monday, newspaper VG wrote that 42% of all passengers who landed at Gardermoen from abroad did not test themselves at the border.
Now, Minister of Health Bent Høie wants the municipalities to carry out random checks to verify whether travelers to Norway actually took a corona test within 24 hours after arriving, as they are required to do.
“The penalty for violating the regulations can be up to NOK 20,000 in fines,” Bent Høie (H) told VG.
From Saturday, January 2, it became mandatory to take a corona test if you’re coming to Norway from abroad.
The test must take place at the border or in the municipality you arrive at within 24 hours.
But the system is trust-based, and on Monday, VG reported that 42% of those who landed at Gardermoen from abroad did not test themselves at the border.
No overview
The municipalities do not have an overview of people who tested themselves on arrival. The entry register is not linked to the MSIS, the National Institute of Public Health’s (FHI) notification system for infectious diseases.
“It is important to get good systems in place quickly. We are looking at different solutions,” Høie told VG.
He pointed out that the municipalities have access to the MSIS and the entry register.
“I know it is labor-intensive, but it is a very good investment to carry out random checks in both systems and ensure that those who do not test themselves within 24 hours are fined,” he added.
Høie also noted that the municipalities received NOK 300 million from the state to carry out control activities.
Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews
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I think it is the responsibility of the government not passengers to take test at the airport. Passengers after all do not possess any test equipment. I returned back to Norway before almost two months and I met a lady at the airport who said I must take a test and I said OK. Therefore, no one can blame passengers for the mentioned case.