Norway changes its travel advice for one hospital district in Finland

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is now advising against non-essential travel to the North Karelia Hospital District in Finland.

Based on the Norwegian Institute of Public Health’s (FHI) weekly assessment of the COVID-19 situation, the government has decided to change the status of the area from “yellow” to “red” on the map showing the status for quarantine on entry to Norway from Europe. 

From midnight on Sunday, January 31, anyone arriving in Norway from this area will be required to go into quarantine for ten days. 

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, Iceland, 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. 

Caution needed

The infection situation and local restrictions can both change very quickly. Anyone who is considering traveling 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 tested if they experience any symptoms and maintain good hand hygiene and a distance of at least one meter 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 March 1, 2021. 

As of January 1, 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).

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews

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