The Norwegian government has decided to expand its use of quarantine hotels, saying the global Covid-19 situation is “still unpredictable” in many parts of the world. Norway’s official warning against all unnecessary international travel has also been extended to May 25.
Norway’s strict entry requirements also remain in place, meaning the majority of foreign citizens not resident in Norway are only permitted to enter Norway for essential reasons.
Quarantine change for global arrivals
Anyone permitted to enter Norway from so-called ‘red countries’—currently almost all foreign countries—is required to undergo a 10-day quarantine period. Previously residents of Norway could serve the quarantine period at home if the facilities were suitable and the travel was essential.
However, according to the new rules introduced on May 7, everyone arriving in Norway from a country outside the EEA/Schengen area must now spend the quarantine period at a quarantine hotel, regardless of the reason for travel.
Norway’s quarantine hotels
Introduced in the final months of 2020, Norway’s quarantine hotels were set up to reduce the risk of importing new infection into the country, which has seen relatively low levels of Covid-19 throughout the pandemic. Norway has recorded 767 deaths from Covid-19 to date, compared with 2,497 and 14,173 in Denmark and Sweden respectively.
Those required to stay in a quarantine hotel must pay a fee of 500 Norwegian kroner ($55) per night, with the remaining costs covered by local and national government. Meals are provided, but guests cannot leave the hotel, must stay on designated floors and are not permitted visitors. Anyone breaching the quarantine risks criminal prosecution.
New international students arriving in Norway must also serve the quarantine period, but the costs will be covered by the university or college.
Global travel warning
Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has extended its warning against non-essential international travel to May 25.
Ministry spokesperson Trude Måseide explained that the extension is short to give the authorities extra time to decide about summer travel restrictions: “At this point, it is too early to say anything about how long the travel advice will need to stay in place.”
Last week, prime minister Erna Solberg announced that Norway plans to introduce vaccine passports to exempt people from infection control measures within the country and make travel to and from Norway easier.
