Hot Topics

Yesterday, Norway announced stricter testing requirements. Here are the details

Bent HøiePhoto: Gorm Kallestad / NTB

The Norwegian government is introducing a requirement that people who have visited countries outside the EEA and the Schengen area and have received a positive result from a rapid antigen test taken at the border must also take a PCR test at the border.

It is also introducing a requirement that all people staying at a quarantine hotel take a PCR test on day 7 after arrival. The municipalities will be under an obligation to offer such a test.

These changes are based on recommendations from the Norwegian Directorate of Health and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI).

“Norway has one of the strictest systems in Europe for preventing imported cases of COVID-19. We are now introducing even stricter rules regarding testing. We are doing this to limit the spread of the mutated and more contagious variants of the virus”, Minister of Health and Care Services Bent Høie said.

People who, during the 10 days prior to arrival, have visited an area that triggers a duty to quarantine must take a test at the border crossing point upon arrival in Norway. The test must be a rapid antigen test.

A requirement is now being introduced that people who have been outside the EEA and the Schengen area and who receive a positive rapid test result must also take a PCR test at the border. Previously, the PCR test could be taken within 24 hours of arrival.

Limiting imported infection

The Norwegian Directorate of Health and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health consider this measure necessary to limit imported cases of COVID-19 and reveal new virus mutations.

At present, all people in quarantine following arrival from another country who are not staying at a quarantine hotel are required to take a test on day 7.

The rules are now being changed so that they also apply to people staying at a quarantine hotel. The municipalities will be under an obligation to offer such a test to these people.

The changes entered into effect on Thursday, April 29, at noon.

A requirement that all travelers arriving from Bangladesh, India, Iraq, Nepal, and Pakistan must stay at a quarantine hotel has also been introduced, and there are very few exemptions from this rule.

That means that people who have undertaken necessary travel to these countries will also be required to stay at a quarantine hotel.

The stricter entry restrictions that apply to travelers arriving from the countries in question entered into effect on Wednesday, April 28 at noon. Any person who has visited these countries during the 10 days prior to arrival in Norway must stay at a quarantine hotel.

Source: Ministry of Health and Care Services / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews

Do you have a news tip for Norway Today? We want to hear it. Get in touch at [email protected]

Be the first to comment on "Yesterday, Norway announced stricter testing requirements. Here are the details"

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published.


*