Changes in the travel advice for Austria, Greece, Ireland, the UK and certain regions in Sweden and Denmark

In addition to Austria, Greece, Ireland and the UK, the Ministry also advises against non-essential travel to Andorra, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, the Faroe Islands, France, Iceland, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Switzerland and certain regions in Sweden and Denmark. See the Institute of Public Health’s map.

This week Austria, Greece, Ireland and the UK have all exceeded the threshold for level of infection, which has been set at 20 confirmed new Covid-19 cases per 100 000 inhabitants during the past two weeks. This also applies to Greater Copenhagen in Denmark.

In addition to Austria, Greece, Ireland and the UK, the Ministry also advises against non-essential travel to Andorra, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Switzerland and certain regions in Sweden and Denmark. The advice against non-essential travel also applies to the following six regions in Sweden: Östergötland, Örebro, Blekinge, Värmland, Uppsala and Dalarna, and the following regions in Denmark: Zealand, Central Jutland and Greater Copenhagen.

The status of Norrbotten in Sweden will change to ‘yellow,’ and the Ministry’s travel advice will therefore no longer apply to this region.

These changes will come into effect at midnight on Friday 21 August.

The infection situation and local restrictions can both change very quickly. Anyone who is planning to travel abroad should think carefully about whether it is necessary for them to travel, and make sure that they know what the situation is in the country they are planning to visit. Exceptions to the travel advice are not intended to encourage travel abroad.

People who have returned to Norway from a country that becomes ‘red’ after their return must monitor their health for symptoms of Covid-19. It is very important that they get themselves tested if they experience any symptoms, and that they practise good hand hygiene and maintain a distance of at least one metre from other people.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is maintaining its global advice against non-essential travel to all countries apart from those for which an exception has been made. This travel advice currently applies until 1 October. For an updated overview of countries in the Schengen area/EEA and the Nordic countries and regions that are excepted from the travel advice, see the Institute of Public Health’s map showing the status for quarantine on entry to Norway from Europe and the Ministry’s travel information.