Norway - from Friday, the government is tightening entry rules

Borders practically closed. It is absolutely necessary

The prime minister justifies the new measures with a much more contagious variant that emerged before Christmas.

- We can see that the measures are working, now entry restrictions will mean tighter controls. The suppression most likely meant that the mutant virus didn't spread as much, or as it could, he says.

Solberg describes the new rules as cumbersome and that they will be reconsidered in two weeks.

Prime Minister Solberg stresses that countermeasures are necessary despite the fact that the infection in Norway is currently declining.

- It is absolutely necessary with strong restrictions and restrictions. We must be prepared for stricter entry restrictions for a period longer than 14 days, he says.

The border with Sweden is closed

The Norwegian Health Directorate writes on Wednesday that entry to Norway should only be possible for people who can document that the trip has a necessary purpose that cannot be postponed.

Pressure from the opposition

The decision comes after increased pressure from the opposition on the import infection. Last week the "big four" - consisting of the Labor Party, the Socialist People's Party, the Green Party and the Socialist People's Party - agreed on new measures to curb import infection.

Oslo City Councilor Raymond Johansen (Labor) has also stressed on several occasions recently the need for tougher measures against entry.

- When the Oslo region is now closed, I will ask if air traffic from infected areas should also be closed for some time. Johansen said on Tuesday.

Update. 28.01 11:00

The following groups of people are no longer allowed to access the country:

• foreigners residing in the EEA and EEA nationals residing in third countries (unless they are covered by exemptions, which also apply to third-country nationals);
• family members, except for split families where the children are minors, both for EEA nationals and others, meaning grandparents, adult children, parents of adult children and partners are no longer allowed to visit;
• foreigners from countries outside the EEA who have been granted a residence permit in connection with work or study, including as a seasonal worker or student;
• a foreigner who is to work in a film or serial production or as a scientist who is exempt from the requirement of a residence permit.

Some groups may still enter Norway. Groups with permission to enter include:

• foreigners living in Norway (Check if you are a resident of Norway by clicking on the text. Log in and it should say Bostedsadresse)
• foreigners for whom specific reasons indicate that they should be allowed entry, such as specific obligations to care for persons in Norway or other important social considerations;
• visitors who are to establish agreed or formalized parent-child contacts;
• close members families of people living in Norway. Applies to spouses and registered partners such as: cohabitants, minor children or stepchildren, parents or stepfathers of minor children or stepchildren;
• journalists and other staff seconded to a foreign media institution;
• foreigners planning a stopover at an airport in Norway (both in case of transit at an international airport and within the Schengen area);
• seamen and flight personnel;
• foreigners engaged in commercial transport of goods and people;
• foreigners performing critical public functions;
• medical personnel from Sweden and Finland who work in the Norwegian health and care system.

The following list prepared by the Civil Protection Directorate can serve as a starting point. It defines which public functions are considered critical:

• Administration and crisis management
• Defense
• Law and order
• Health and care services, including pharmacy
• Emergency service
• Digital security in the civil sector
• Nature and the environment
• Security of supplies
• Water and sewage
• Financial services
• Energetics
• Electronic communication
• Transport