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Norway Begins Reopening – Easing Restrictions For Some EU Travelers

Norway Begins Reopening - Easing Restrictions For Some EU TravelersIt is still going to be a while until Americans can visit beautiful Norway. However, the Nordic country is currently easing up on its entry and quarantine restrictions for those travelers from EU countries with a low incidence of COVID-19 infections.

Norway easing up on restrictions

The government of Norway has announced that it is removing the distinction between necessary and unnecessary travel for visitors from countries in the United Kingdom, Schengen countries and countries in the European Economic Area (EEA), with a low infection rate. This change will mean they will not have to quarantine at a hotel upon arrival.

However, those traveling to Norway from countries with high infection rates, or from outside Europe, are still mandated to undergo a 10-day hotel quarantine. However, if they present a negative COVID-19 test result, they will be able to leave quarantine after seven days.

Changing the quarantine rules

Monica Mæland, Norway’s Minister of Justice, said in a statement, “We are now changing the rules for quarantine hotels.”

“We remove the distinction between necessary and unnecessary travel when entering Norway, and rather look at the infection pressure in individual countries,” she added.

Under the new rules, travelers from European countries with less than 150 new infections per 100,000 people in the last 14 days, and where a maximum 4 percent tested positive, do not have to stay in quarantine hotels. However, they must still go through quarantine, either at home or in another suitable place

Speaking of the measures taken in Norway during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mæland added, “The strict measures at our borders have had an effect. The import infection has decreased, but the infection situation in the world around us is still complex and serious in many places. We must continue with strict restrictions on foreigners’ access to Norway.”

Norway Begins Reopening - Easing Restrictions For Some EU Travelers

Changes come into force this week

The amended entry regulations come into force on Thursday, May 27, as the country enters the second phase of its journey out of lockdown with the return of domestic travel. Norway has already started reopening its cultural attractions across the country, with new attractions preparing to open soon. These new attractions include the new Munch Museum in Oslo, where iconic paintings like The Scream and 40,000 works associated with Munch will move into a spectacular new waterfront location. The museum is set to open in the fall, along with the National Museum in 2022.

Stayvacations for Norwegians

Currently, the Norwegian government is advising against non-essential international travel for its citizens and is encouraging them to vacation at home at least until July 1.

Due to the fact that Norway is not part of the European Union, it will not participate in the upcoming digital green certificate program. Norway will, instead, be launching its own digital certificate app to allow anyone who has been fully vaccinated, is immune to the virus or has tested negative, to travel to Norway.

Hopefully, the situation for international travelers will be updated soon as vaccination programs continue throughout the world.

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Photos credit: Deposit photos

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