with a rigorous testing and inspection system
Commuters from Sweden and Finland have found themselves in a particularly vulnerable position following the border closure in Norway. From Monday, March 1, commuters from Sweden and Finland will again be able to come to work in Norway under a strict testing and inspection system.
Commuters in Norway were deprived of the opportunity to work
After another one Norway's tightening of regulations entry points on January 29, 2021, almost all workers from Sweden and Finland who commute to Norway every day have been deprived of the opportunity to work. The exception is medical staff. This has had serious consequences, especially for those who do not receive wages because they cannot find jobs work in Norway. We are talking about a relatively limited group of about 3000 people.
It is reasonable to lift entry restrictions for commuters
The Norwegian Directorate of Health and the FHI believe that the lifting of entry restrictions for commuters close to the border with Sweden and Finland is justified. They believe that a test performed every seven days is sufficient for infection control and to reduce the risk of infection in this group.
- The infection situation in Norway and Europe means that we cannot open too much at once, but it is good that we have now found a solution for this small group of daytime commuters who find themselves in a very difficult situation, says Minister of Justice and Crisis Management Monica Mæland .
Important for people commuting
The exemption from entry restrictions applies to foreigners residing in Sweden or Finland who commute to work in Norway. The daily commute includes working evenings and nights, as long as you are traveling home after work. This solves a difficult situation for many commuters from neighboring countries Sweden and Finland.
This is good news for commuters from Sweden and Finland
- The government has now introduced a program based on the advice of infection control specialists that allows daytime commuters from Sweden and Finland to work in Norway. This is good news for those who commute to work, says Labor and Social Affairs Minister Torbjørn Røe Isaksen.
Rigorous testing system and release from entry quarantine
In practice, the control and documentation of tests, stay and employers will be much stricter compared to the pre-border system.
Quarantine rules for daytime commuters from Sweden and Finland are governed by COVID-19 § 6b and mean that commuters will be exempt from entry quarantine during working hours if inspected every seven days.
Commuters from Sweden and Finland must show a negative test result
The government is tightening the rules even further and introducing entry requirements that require commuters from Sweden and Finland to test negative for the covid-19 test conducted within the last seven days of entry. The test has to be carried out in Norway, Sweden or Finland and has to be done before crossing the border.
Test requirement no later than 7 days after the last negative test
Covid-6 section 19b has also been amended so that upon arrival in the country, there is no requirement for a new test on that date, but a requirement to test no later than 7 days after the last negative test. The requirement for testing every seven days is maintained to avoid entry quarantine during working hours.
Border checks and requirements
Daytime commuters from Sweden and Finland must document their stay in Sweden or Finland during border control, and a Norwegian employer is required to certify that they are commuting to work, including information about the place of work, working hours and distance from home no is an obstacle to daily commuting. Each employee must also register with the reporting system prior to each entry.
