France, Switzerland, Sweden: Norway Curbs Travel For 13 On Covid Red List Europe - Forbes

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Concerned about the coronavirus comeback among European neighbors, Norway is sweeping in quarantines ... [+] on arrivals for an increasing number of EU and Schengen countries, while advising its citizens against travel to several others.

NurPhoto via Getty Images

Norway is cracking down heavily on travel to and from a host of European neighbors where Covid is making a startling comeback. The latest countries to be added to its “red” list are France, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Monaco, and several parts of Sweden. Which basically means tourists from these places are no longer welcome, with travel restrictions reimposed.

Since August 8, any arrivals from those countries–whether European tourists or returning Norwegian holidaymakers–must self-quarantine for 10 days. And the government is strongly advising against travel to those places.  

10 Day Quarantine For Travelers From “Red” Countries, Quarantine-Free For “Green” Countries

Norway is responding fast to the spiralling Covid cases in many European countries. Firstly by ... [+] bringing in quarantines on arrivals from “red” countries–while advising its citizens against travel to those places. Meantime Norwegians are holidaying at home, safely. The number of Covid cases in the population is way below the EU/Schengen country average, at about 7 per 100,000 people.

AFP via Getty Images

The Norwegian government’s red country list is growing. Already on it are Andorra, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain and Romania.

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On August 1, Belgium changed from “green” to “red” on the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s Covid travel map due to the deteriorating situation there. So anyone arriving from Belgium must quarantine too.

Some exemptions from quarantine requirements can be made for workers according to Visit Norway.

The Scandinavian country is a member of the (usually passport-free) Schengen zone, but not of the EU. It’s been letting tourists in from Europe since July 15. But only from countries it considered were on top of Covid infection control.

Since then, things have backtracked significantly in several.

“Anyone arriving in Norway from abroad shall be in quarantine for 10 days,” says the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. (Remembering that Norway’s borders have never reopened to any non-European country since the EU ban began on March 17).

The map shows rules for quarantine on arrival that apply in Norway since August 8 says the Norwegian ... [+] Foreign Affairs Ministry. Red means 10 days self-quarantine. Green quarantine-free travel. Not only are red countries and zones targeted by quarantine rules on arrival, but Norway really doesn't want its citizens traveling to them for now. There are also the many striped grey/red areas on the map representing countries where Norwegian nationals and residents must quarantine on returning. They are the only ones who can travel to or from those places.

Norwegian Institute of Public Health

New Daily Cases Soar In Red Countries

“Green” countries “with sufficiently low transmission” are exempt from quarantine the health body says. To remain “green”, Covid infection rates per 100,000 residents over the past two weeks must be under 20.

Note, when the EU started opening its borders, the EU average was 16–but is now closer to 25. In France, the figure is right on that, but rising way higher in certain areas such as Greater Paris. In Belgium it’s 62, in Luxembourg 137, in Romania 87, in Spain 75–and, for the record, in Norway, just 7.2.

So a club of red corona countries are busy drawing the EU averages much higher. Little wonder really that Norway wants to keep some fellow Europeans, and the virus, at bay.

More Red Countries May Be Added To Norway’s Travel Map

Barely had the jump for joy over easing lockdown rules and reopening borders begun, on July 16, than ... [+] Norway within a fortnight started reimposing travel restrictions on neighbors. Namely quarantines and toughening travel advisories. Norwegians are vacationing at home in unprecedented numbers. Increasingly few Europeans are holidaying there however, as quarantine rules and red list countries multiply.

AFP via Getty Images

In a sign of the Covid times in Europe, Norwegian health officials warn more places may be added to the red list at any moment. The situation will be updated regularly, at least every fortnight.

“The infection situation and local restrictions can change very quickly,” warned Norwegian Foreign Affairs Minister, Ine Eriksen Søreide.

“‘A number of countries in Europe are unfortunately seeing an increasing number of Covid-19 cases. Because of this, we need to review the travel advice regularly, both to ensure the safety of Norwegians travelling abroad and to limit the import of infection to Norway.”

The government is not really keen on Norwegians traveling much right now. It’s advising against all travel abroad “that is not strictly necessary”, until at least August 20. Exceptions are Europe’s “green” countries, from Italy to Greece, Germany and the U.K.

As to traveling to Norway, that’s becoming increasingly rare again. As a result of the ongoing travel restrictions, low-cost Norwegian Air has reported 90% less traffic in July than last year.

Norway had initially said, back in June, that the reopening date for tourists beyond the EU may be around August 20. Yet with things worsening again on the Continent, I wouldn’t hold your breath on that.

By The Way, These Are The Quarantine Rules:

Upon arrival in Norway, you must immediately go to your place of self-quarantine, preferably with private transport.

If you must commute on public transport, a face mask is required during the entire journey.

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August 11, 2020 at 08:31PM
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tamarathiessen/2020/08/11/france-switzerland-sweden-norway-travel-covid-red-list-europe/

France, Switzerland, Sweden: Norway Curbs Travel For 13 On Covid Red List Europe - Forbes

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