Compulsory Covid testing on arrival in Norway even if fully vaccinated

Travellers to Norway have been required to take a coronavirus test upon arrival in the Scandinavian country since Friday, regardless of their vaccination status.

At border crossings with testing stations, you have to get tested directly there. Where these stations are missing, the test must be done elsewhere within 24 hours - a rapid test is sufficient in this case.

The testing obligation applies to both vaccinated and unvaccinated people. There are exceptions for border commuters, airline personnel and professional drivers.

Other Norwegian anti-coronavirus measures are also being tightened, especially at the regional level.

It is necessary to take stricter measures to delay the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, explained Health Minister Ingvild Kjerkol.

Maintain control

The aim is to keep control of the situation, gather more knowledge about the new virus variant and avoid overloading the health system.

Norway had come through the pandemic comparatively well for a long time, but since this autumn the coronavirus numbers in the country have increased sharply.

One of the concerns at the moment is that an Omicron case was detected after a Christmas party in Oslo and a total of 50 positive coronavirus cases have emerged in connection with this party.