Covid-19 Status Update for Norway

The Norwegian Government cancels national Covid-19 measures from 10h00 Saturday 12th February 2022. These are some of the most important changes that apply from Saturday 12 February at 10h00: 

  • Requirements and recommendations to keep a distance of one meter are repealed. Requirements for the use of face masks are abolished. 
  • Only adults who have symptoms are recommended to be tested. 
  • Requirements for isolation are abolished and replaced with a recommendation that infected adults stay at home for four days. This recommendation is continuously assessed and is expected to be changed within a few weeks. 
  • Kindergarten children and school pupils are recommended to stay at home when they are ill, but can go to kindergarten and school as long as they have been fever-free for 24 hours. 
  • Children and schoolchildren do not have to test themselves even if they have symptoms. 
  • The remaining entry requirements for the obligation to register and negative test before arrival are abolished. 

This still applies 

  • Recommendations for risk groups and the unvaccinated. People at risk of serious disease and unvaccinated adults must themselves assess the risk of infection and their own risk of serious disease of covid-19 against the need for contact with others. Staying away from large crowds, or using a face mask should be considered during periods of high infection. People in risk groups are generally well protected against serious illness if they follow the advice to get vaccinated, so that they can live like others and follow the same infection control advice as others. People with a high risk of serious illness are advised to consult their own doctor about the risk and the need for protection during periods of high infection. 
  • It is no longer necessary to test yourself if you do not have symptoms even if you have close contacts who are infected. 
  • Stay home for new-onset respiratory symptoms if you feel sick. You should stay home until you are in good shape and you have been fever-free for 24 hours. Mild residual symptoms such as runny nose, snoring, hoarseness and some cough are fine. 
  • In case of a positive covid test, stay at home for four days from the onset of symptoms or from the day of positive testing for those without symptoms. 
  • Kindergarten children and school children are exempt from testing, but it is recommended to stay at home if they are ill. They can go to school and kindergarten when they have been fever-free for 24 hours. 
  • Contact your doctor if you are concerned about your own health or that of your child
  • Distance and social contact. Keep your distance from others if you have new-onset respiratory symptoms; especially to people in risk groups. In case of birth and serious illness, hospitals and municipal institutions should arrange for visits, also for relatives and companions who have tested positive for the coronavirus. 
  • Face masks. Regulated requirements for face masks are repealed. It is recommended to use a face mask in close contact with people in risk groups if you have cold / respiratory symptoms. People in risk groups and the unvaccinated are advised to wear face masks among crowds during periods of high infection if it is difficult to keep their distance from others. 
  • Testing. Testing for covid-19 in new-onset respiratory symptoms in adults is recommended. Testing of asymptomatic individuals is not recommended. Children with symptoms no longer need to be tested. In the event of a positive self-test at home, the individual should register this in the municipality’s infection tracking system. A positive self-test is not registered on helsenorge.no, and is not shown in the corona certificate. A positive self-test should be confirmed with a test at a test station for people who have been incompletely vaccinated, ie lack a refreshing dose. For people who have received a booster dose or have been vaccinated with a basic vaccine and then have undergone covid-19 in the last 3 months, a confirmatory test is not necessary. Most people will test positive around the onset of symptoms. In some cases, it may take a little longer from the time the infected person gets symptoms until the self-test shows that one is infected. In case of persistent symptoms and negative self-test, it is recommended that a new test be taken 2-3 days later. Insulation 
  • Regulated requirements for isolation are repealed and replaced with a recommendation that adults who have been confirmed infected with covid-19 stay at home for 4 days from the start of symptoms and in any case until they have been fever-free for one day. If, for reasons of operation, it is necessary for some infected people to meet at work, there are separate infection control professional advice on how this can be carried out. See FHI’s website. 
  • The recommendation to stay at home for 4 days does not apply to children of kindergarten age and school students, who are only recommended to stay at home if they are ill. 
  • Infection tracing. It is no longer recommended that people who are infected with the coronavirus inform other close contacts. Municipal infection tracing may be relevant in certain situations, for example as assistance in the event of an outbreak in municipal institutions. 
  • Schools, kindergartens and SFO. The requirement for infection control is repealed and thus the traffic light model is cancelled. Normal operation is recommended in accordance with infection control recommendations for the population. There will still be a requirement for infection control in schools and kindergartens, regulations on environmental health care in kindergartens and schools etc. and which requires that administration be adjusted so that infectious diseases are prevented. There will still be specific advice for kindergartens and schools related to covid-19 in the corona guide at FHI. Employers are recommended to facilitate working conditions at educational institutions so that risk groups have the necessary flexibility in everyday life. Advice for workplaces and businesses (FHI) covers infection control advice for employees. Specific infection control advice related to kindergartens and schools is provided with information in the corona guide at FHI, under Advice on infection control in schools and kindergartens. The traffic light model is continued only as an emergency preparedness guide that states recommended contact-reducing measures when the infection situation in the municipality makes it necessary and proportionate for infection control measures in schools and kindergartens. The municipality may decide to use the traffic light model if the conditions in the Infection Control Act are met. 
  • Universities, colleges and vocational colleges. The requirement for safe operation of infection control in the covid-19 regulations is repealed. However, there are still requirements for infection control operations in accordance with regulations on environmental health care, which apply to all enterprises, and which set requirements for the enterprise to be planned to be operated and closed down so that infectious diseases are prevented. Normal operation is recommended in accordance with infection control recommendations for the population. The employer is recommended to facilitate working conditions at educational institutions for risk groups. 
  • Working life. Normal operation is recommended in accordance with infection control recommendations for the population. Employers must themselves consider the need to limit infection and provide guidelines for their employees. It is important to create working conditions for risk groups in workplaces. 
  • Events and gatherings. Regulatory requirements for infection control operation in the covid-19 regulations are repealed. This means that there are no longer any special requirements for organizers related to the size of events / gatherings or requirements to facilitate distance. However, there are still requirements for infection control in accordance with regulations on environmental health care, which apply to all enterprises, and which indicate that the enterprise must be planned to be operated and closed down so that infectious diseases are prevented. Normal operation is recommended in accordance with infection control recommendations for the population. 
  • Restaurants and other businesses. Regulatory requirements for infection control operation in the covid-19 regulations for restaurants and other businesses are repealed. No restrictions related to which activities can be carried out or distance. Normal operation is recommended in accordance with infection control recommendations for the population. However, there are still requirements for sound operations that are professionally sound for all companies in accordance with regulations on environmental health care. The business must be planned, operated and wound up so that infectious diseases are prevented. 
  • Entry to Norway. Regulated requirements for negative testing before entry and requirement to complete entry registration is repealed. 
  • Regulated requirements for testing before departure to and after arrival in Svalbard will be continued for the time being. The same applies to the ban on international charter flights to Svalbard.

Travel to Norway

Advice and Rules for Entry to Norway

UDI (Norwegian Immigration Authorities)

Please contact us should you have any questions at post@relocation.no