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It’s official: Norway introduces travel ban from UK, one flight already cancelled

UK flagPhoto: Maxim Hopman / Unsplash

The Norwegian government is stopping entry from the UK to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus variant. One flight has already been canceled.

Minister of Health Bent Høie (H) will meet the press on Monday morning to inform the public about measures related to the virus variant from the United Kingdom.

The variant could spread to Norway, and neighboring countries have already introduced an entry ban from the United Kingdom.

Now Norway is doing the same.

“Norway is stopping all direct flights from the UK with immediate effect. The measure is initially valid for two days, but can be extended.

“In addition, several measures are being tightened for travelers from the UK,” a press release from the Ministry of Health notes.

New virus strain

“We must ensure that the virus variant that has been detected in the UK spreads to Norway as little as possible.

“That is why we are now stopping direct flights from the UK and tightening measures for travelers from this area.

“This is in line with the advice we have received from the Norwegian Directorate of Health,” Minister of Health and Care Services Bent Høie (H) said on Monday.

The virus has been detected in several countries, including Denmark, the Netherlands, and Italy.

According to Aftenposten, two planes from London will land at Gardermoen on Monday afternoon, while two planes from Aberdeen are expected to land in Bergen and Stavanger.

However, the flight to Bergen with arrival at 10:45 AM has already been canceled.

Over 2,700 people came to Norway from the UK in recent weeks

A total of 2,771 passengers have arrived in Norway from the UK in the last two weeks, according to figures obtained by newspaper Aftenposten from Avinor.

Assistant health director Espen Rostrup Nakstad told the newspaper that they have a “good overview” of air traffic on the route.

“But not as good an overview of those who may travel via other countries,” he said.

Following an urgent assessment of the situation, the Norwegian Directorate of Health asked everyone who came to Norway from the United Kingdom to test themselves.

That also applies to everyone who has been on the archipelago during the last 14 days.

© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today

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