NORDIC NEWS
NORWAY
Updated 7 August 2020
If you want to travel to Norway, note that you have to stay in quarantine for 10 days after arrival. Exemptions are given upon arrival in Norway from areas in the Nordic countries and other EU/EEA/Schengen countries with sufficiently low transmission. Norway is not yet open for travellers from countries outside of the EU/EEA/Schengen area.
On the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH)’s official website, you’ll find a map and list of which countries and regions that are exempt from quarantine. The page will be updated at least every second week.
For workers from Sweden and other countries in the EU/EEA/Schengen area without sufficiently low transmission, exemptions from the quarantine requirements can be made.
Please notice that both national and local rules and regulations related to the coronavirus and travelling in Norway change frequently and on short notice. All travellers, both international and domestic, are therefore encouraged to seek out the most updated information by visiting the relevant websites. You should also follow precautionary guidelines, such as frequent hand-washing and social distancing, and respect regulations in place.
DENMARK
Updated 10 August 2020
Denmark’s borders were opened to most European countries from 27 June 2020, based on a set of health measures and analysis. However, borders to Spain, Luxembourg, Romania and Bulgaria are closed.
Denmark's borders are open to a select number of third countries (Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay), based on the same set of health measures and analysis.
Here, you can stay updated on whether the Danish borders are open to your country of residence.
Border information
To enter Denmark, tourists from the approved countries must show documentation of a valid booking for a minimum of 6 days on entry. If a tourist wishing to enter shows clear signs of sickness, for example a cough, fever, or similar, they will not be allowed to cross the border.
Danish citizens are allowed to re-enter the country and visitors from other countries can now enter Denmark again under certain conditions.
Business travellers with a clear business reason to visit should refer to regulations on the Danish Police website as they are allowed entry on some conditions.
We are following the latest news and you can find the most up to date information here: https://politi.dk/en/coronavirus-in-denmark.
SWEDEN
Updated 10 August 2020
There is a temporary entry ban in place for non-essential travels to the EU via Sweden until 31 August, but travel from another EU country, a country part of the EEA, UK and Switzerland to Sweden is possible.
For more information, please visit:
Visiting Sweden during the covid-19 pandemic (krisinformation.se)
FAQ page of the Swedish Government
Sweden currently has no quarantine obligation for travelers. For more information about preventive measures recommended in Sweden, please visit the FAQ page of Public Health Agency of Sweden.
More information can be found in frequently asked questions answered by the Swedish Police Authority.
There is no quarantine obligation for travellers to Sweden.
FINLAND
Updated 06 August 2020
Finland welcomes leisure travellers from a number of countries where the coronavirus situation has eased. There is no border control for travelers from these countries and they do not need to self-isolate on arrival in Finland.
Border control and restrictions have been lifted and also leisure travel is possible between Finland and Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Malta, Norway, San Marino, Slovakia and the Vatican.
As of 10 August, travel restrictions are unfortunately back in place again for travelers from Andorra, Belgium and the Netherlands due to an increase of coronavirus cases in these countries. Restrictions were also reinstated on 27 July for travelers Austria, Slovenia and Switzerland for the same reason.
Essential, work-related and return travel is possible from all Schengen and EU countries as well as the UK. Except for those countries named above as open for leisure travel, self-isolation for 14 days upon arrival is recommended.
Leisure travel is also possible from China (based on EU guidance on reciprocity), Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay. Self-isolation is not required for travelers from these countries. As of 27 July, travel restrictions are unfortunately back in place again for travelers from Australia and Algeria due to an increase of coronavirus cases in these countries.
The Finnish Government bases its decisions on easing border control and restrictions on the incidence of COVID-19 in the country. The limit value is a maximum of eight new cases of the disease per 100,000 persons in the previous 14 days. These changes to border control and restrictions are in effect until 8 September but will be reviewed in 2 weeks’ time.
ICELAND
Updated 10 August 2020
Iceland has eased travel restrictions and is open to passengers inside the Schengen Area. Passengers arriving in Iceland can choose to be tested for COVID-19 or quarantine for two weeks. A single tests costs ISK 11.000 but ISK 9.000 if paid in advance. Children born in 2005 or later are exempt from both testing and quarantine.
As of July 31, all passengers arriving in Iceland from high-risk areas who intend to stay in Iceland for 10 days or more have to undergo two PCR-tests. The 1st is at the border on arrival and the 2nd by the primary health care service 4-6 days later. In between the two tests special precautions need to be taken. The 2nd test is free of charge and testing is available at health care services all over the country.
Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Germany are currently not on the list of high-risk countries. Thus, travellers arriving from these countries are exempt from the quarantine and screening requirements that are generally applicable to passengers arriving in Iceland.
This process was designed to prioritise safety, but also to work for visitors and Icelanders, based on Chief Epidemiologist’s medical and scientific guidance.
During these unprecedented times, the easing of travel restrictions is constantly being evaluated.
Find out more here: Travelling in Iceland
ESTONIA
Updated 10 August 2020
Estonia admits people with no Covid-19 symptoms arriving from the European Union, the members of the Schengen area or the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as well as from a small number of countries outside this area - but quarantine requirements may apply.
Detailed information on countries and self-isolation requirements for passengers can be read from the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Border control
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At the border crossing points, i.e. ports, airports and checkpoints at Russian land borders, the travel documents and medical symptoms are checked. Border control personnel have legal rights to deny entering for persons who show symptoms of COVID-19, i.e. to deport them back to the country of arrival. A person entering Estonia from a country to which the quarantine requirements apply will have to provide the Police and Border Guard Board their address and confirm that they will remain at their place of stay for 14 days. Further information about crossing the border and quarantine requirements
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Foreigners are allowed to transit Estonia on the way to their home country if they do not show symptoms of COVID-19. The detailed information on this so called "humanitarian corridor" is provided by border control officials.
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There are no restrictions for exiting the country.
International connections
Several countries in Europe as well as around Estonia have imposed restrictions on entry and/or international passenger traffic, and several ferry and flight operators have reduced their operations in and out of Estonia. Tallinn-Stockholm cruises are prohibited, while regular passenger ferry traffic between Estonia and Finland has been restored - see the latest info on websites of Tallink, Viking Line and Eckerö Line. There are several international flights from Tallinn airport, up to date flight information on Tallinn Airport website.
LATVIA
Updated 10 August 2020
From June 3rd citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area, and the Swiss Confederation, as well as people with permanent residence status in those countries, when travelling from their home countries to Latvia no longer face a 14-day self-isolation period, if in the European countries from which they travelled have a 14-day cumulative number of COVID-19 cases which does not exceed 15 individuals per 100,000 (or if they have been in Lithuania or Estonia during the 14 days immediately prior to entering Latvia).
Epidemiological data, listing all these European countries will be updated each week on Friday on the website of SPKC, Latvia’s Centre for Disease Prevention and Control website. Arriving from other countries 14 days quarantine is still neccessary, until further notice.
Starting July 16, all travellers arriving in Latvia using services of international transport companies (plane, ferry or bus) will be registered in order to curb the spread of Covid-19! For now the travelers' data will be recorded on paper but a digital solution will be worked out in the next couple of weeks to register the incoming travelers electronically.
The requirement to register will also apply to people arriving in Latvia on private planes and yachts. All incoming travellers will be required to fill out a questionnaire which will then be processed depending on each traveler's country of origin. The obtained data will be forwarded to the Center for Disease Prevention and Control and the State Police. The travellers' data will be deleted 1 month after their submission.
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From 1 July to 31 July, no more than 100 people will gather indoors with a total public space of less than 1000 square meters.The indoor premises with a total area of more than 1000 square meters will be able to accommodate up to 500 people at a time.For outdoor events will be possible to gather up to 1000 people, taking into account that at least four square meters of the event space are provided per person.
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From August 1 to August 31, no more than 250 people will be able to gather for indoor events with a total area of less than 1000 square meters. In the indoor premises with an area of more than 1000 square meters will be able to gather no more than 500 people. For outdoor events will be possible to gather up to 3000 people, taking into account that at least four square meters of the event space are provided per person.
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People still must observe 2 meters distance (applies to both public indoor and public outdoor spaces).
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People using public transport in Latvia are recommended (not obligated) to cover their mouth and nose (with mask or scarf).This includes international flights, trains, buses etc.
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Dining places can be open from 6:00 a.m. until midnight. Indoors no more than four non-household visitors can be at the same table, while no more than eight visitors can be at the same table outdoors.
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Culture, sports and other entertainment facilities are allowed to be open from 6:30 a.m. until midnight (except for open-air cinema demonstrations, which must end no later than 2 a.m.). The organiser of the event shall ensure the observance of the restrictions and the availability of disinfectants for the participants.
LITHUANIA
Updated 07 August 2020
The list of countries most affected by the coronavirus infection (COVID-19) was updated on 7 August to take effect as of 10 August. Territories are deemed to be virus-affected, where coronavirus incidence rate exceeds 16 cases per 100 000 population in the last 14 days.
Foreign nationals arriving from the countries with the incidence rate above 16 cases are required to stay in isolation for 14 days, while isolation and testing for the coronavirus infection are mandatory to those arriving from the third countries included in the list of the affected countries. Isolation premises, transportation to isolation premises, transportation to the testing site for the coronavirus infection, and testing for the coronavirus infection for foreigners arriving in Lithuania for work or with special permits shall be provided and paid for by the employer, the inviting person, or foreigners themselves.
Lithuanian citizens returning from countries where the incidence rate exceeds 16 cases are required to stay in isolation for 14 days.
These measures also apply in the cases where persons have travelled through the affected countries in transit (by car, public transport, etc.), with the exception of travel by air without leaving the airport transit area.
Travellers returning or arriving from the countries on the list of the affected countries must register within 12 hours by submitting their details to the National Public Health Centre. The same applies in the case of Lithuanians returning from these countries and foreigners with entry permit.
List of countries for mandatory 14-day isolation upon return includes: Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Faroe Islands, Iceland, Spain, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Sweden, Austria, Greenland, Poland
EUROPEAN UNION
LINKS PROVIDED COURTESY OF OUR PARTNERS ETOA (EUROPEAN TOURISM ASSOCIATION)
Updated 06 July 2020
2 July 2020 | European Council recommendation added to European Union section for member states to start lifting travel restrictions at the Schengen external border for 15 non-EU countries from 1 July.
29 June 2020 | Norway has been added to the map from European Commission in European Union section showing real time information on internal and cross-border travel allowed/restricted, services open (e.g. attractions, hospitality) and health and safety guidance.
For an overview on internal and cross-border travel allowed/restricted:
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EC (map) for EU27 countries, Norway and Switzerland (includes which services are open in destination and health and safety guidance), for UK see here,
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(map) for countries worldwide (includes information on government financial support),OECD
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(map) on air travel for countries worldwide.IATA
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Government foreign affairs webpages (for EEA countries see below) should also be monitored as the final decision on border entry and issuing travel advisories/warnings remain matters of national competence.
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Information on the Package Travel Directive can be found in the ETOA and European Union sections
WTTC WORLD TRAVEL & TOURISM COUNCIL
Global Protocols for the New Normal
WTTC works alongside its Members, governments, health experts and other industry associations are working together to achieve effective recovery protocols by developing meaningful action plans that optimise sector-wide recovery efforts.
Part of the WTTC protocols include providing the public & private sectors with the insights & toolkits for interaction & implementation to ensure that people are and feel safe. It is paramount to have common rules. Ultimately, we envision a future of travel which is safe, secure, seamless and provides an authentic and meaningful experience to the traveller across the journey; one which supports the livelihoods of millions and contributes to sustainable economic growth.
We will create short protocol reports for at least nine industries within Travel & Tourism to align the private sector behind common standards to ensure the safety of its workforce and travellers as the sector shifts to a new normal.
OTHER RESOURCES
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Mischon de Reya. Practical Covid-19 guidance, Legal or operational questions