Arrivals from Regions of Greece, Denmark, Sweden & Finland to face Quarantine on Entry to Norway

Covid-19 pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), hit Norway in February 2020. The virus spread rapidly like a burning bush through March 2020.

To contain the spread of the virus, some measures were put in place. Part of which was physical distancing, which was introduced on March 12, 2020. Most of the cases confirmed around that time were traced to Norwegian tourists returning from Australia and Italy.

The first death from the COVID-19 virus was recorded on March 12, 2020. It was an elderly person who died at Oslo University Hospital. A national lockdown was set in motion, which was effective starting 18:00 the same day.

The Oslo Airport was the first entry point into Norway that was shut down. It was shut down on March 13, and by 16th, all borders were shut down to international travelers.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has said that of the total of Norway’s adult population, 91.9% of them have received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. He also said that 87.5% of the population had been fully vaccinated.

Following the vaccination of most of the European Union member states, members were reviewing ways to allow travel between themselves. To contain the spread of the virus within the borders of Norway, they developed the green, orange, red and dark red code.

The green, orange, red and dark red code refers to the prevalence of the Covid-19 virus in various regions and countries.

The green code refers to countries and regions with low infection rates. Entering Norway from a green region without a stopover or staying in countries and regions with high infection rates does not require PCR tests or quarantines.

The green category consists of European Union members such as Spain and Malta, the Swedish region of Gotland, the Finnish regions of Lapland, Södra Savolax and Åland, the Canary Islands, and the Balearic Islands.

The orange category contains regions and countries with a slightly higher infection rate but is still within the acceptable level. The orange regions require a PCR test on entry into Norway.

The orange category consists of European Union member states such as, Italy, France, Portugal, San Marino, Vatican City, Monaco and Andorra. Jönköping, Kronoberg, Värmland, Västerbotten, Blekinge, Dalarna, Gävleborg, Halland, Jämtland, Midtjylland and other regions in Finland.

The red category are regions that require quarantine on entry. It consists of European Union member states like Greece, Iceland, Cyprus, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, Germany, and Hungary. Denmark members such as Zealand, Greenland, North Jutland, and Southern Denmark.

The dark red category requires quarantine and testing on entry into Norway. It consists of European Union member states such as Lithuania, the Czech Republic, and the United Kingdom. It also includes the Faroe Islands and Copenhagen regions of Denmark’s Capital.

Entry into the Norwegian borders from the red and dark red regions requires filing an entry registration and quarantine for 10 days. Taking a test on the third day to reveal your safe status can end the quarantine.

Starting from Monday, November 8, 2021, Norwegian authorities require unvaccinated and unrecovered arrivals from the dark red and red regions to take a PCR test and isolate for ten days.

This rule specifically affects some specific regions as they have been put on the unsafe travel list by the Ministry of Health and Care Services. The regions affected include Northern Aegean, Southern Aegean Islands, and Crete of the regions of Greece and the Kymmenedalen region of Finland. In Sweden, the Kalmar, Södermanland, Västra Götal regions and Uppsala. Regions of North Jutland and Southern Denmark were also affected.

In preparation for the upcoming yuletide season, visitors to Norway are expected to be aware of this recent development. The Norwegian government, however, discourages non-essential travel.