Norway bans all direct flights from the United Kingdom with immediate effect. This measure will initially apply for a period of 48 hours, but may be extended. In addition, a number of restrictions on travelers arriving from the United Kingdom will be tightened.
"We need to make sure that the strain of the virus detected in the UK is prevented from spreading to Norway, as far as possible. That is why we are now banning direct flights from the UK and tightening up travel arrangements arriving from that region.", said Bent Høie, Minister of Health and Care Services.
In addition to the ban on flights, a number of measures will be introduced and will be applicable to passengers arriving from the United Kingdom by 10 January. The main rule requiring a quarantine period of 10 days will continue to apply. In addition, the following requirements will apply:
Norway bans all flights from the UK
- A PCR test (Covid-19 test) must be performed within 24 hours of arrival in Norway, followed by a new test no earlier than day 7 after arrival in the United Kingdom. A PCR test should be done as soon as possible by all travelers who have entered Norway from the UK in the last 2 weeks.
- Travelers entering the country must register their arrival.
- Travelers must notify the municipality in which they will be staying.
- The current exemptions from quarantine on arrival in Norway will not apply to travelers arriving from the United Kingdom, subject to certain provisions.
It is estimated that the new strain of COVID-19 may be 70% more infectious than the original version. The Norwegian Directorate of Health was tasked on Sunday with consolidating information on quarantine rules for all travelers arriving from the UK and for all travelers arriving from the UK in the last 14 days, including via SMS. The Norwegian Directorate of Health has also been tasked with evaluating further measures.
"It is extremely important that all people who have arrived in Norway from the UK in the last 14 days take a test and comply with these regulations." said Høie.