The government will introduce a mandatory coronavirus test upon entry into Norway from January 2. This is reported by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. You should take the test no later than one day after your arrival.
Several smaller border crossings will be closed.
- Now that the infection is rising again in Norway, it is important that everyone from abroad get tested to prevent an import infection after Christmas and catch new virus mutations, says deputy health director Espen Rostrup Nakstad in a Norwegian Directorate of Health press release.
In addition to the new test obligation, all travelers who are not registered as resident in Norway must still submit a negative test conducted less than 72 hours prior to entry and must complete a travel registration form that tells you where the 10-day quarantine will be carried out, says Nakstad.
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Whenever possible, the tests will take place at the airport or at the state border. If not, the traveler must contact the municipality or another test station to order the test.
. Exceptions.
There are some exceptions to the test requirement. Children under 12 years of age do not need to be tested. Some exceptions also apply to people performing critical social functions, border commuters, long-distance transport drivers and diplomats.
The Prime Minister warns against the complete exclusion of the country
Prime Minister Erna Solberg (H) is concerned about an infection imported with more infectious variants of viruses. And the fact that many of them are returning from Christmas celebrations in countries with greater infection.
- If this mutation spread in Norway, it would probably require a complete shutdown of society. We must do everything we can to prevent the new virus variant from gaining a foothold in Norway. Tests are the only way to find out if red country travelers are carriers of the virus, says Solberg.
Health Minister Bent Høie says the obligation to test is in addition to the requirement of a negative pre-entry test, entry registration and the quarantine obligation.
