Historical archive

Stricter rules for travellers from the USA

Historical archive

Published under: Solberg's Government

Publisher: Ministry of Justice and Public Security

The list of ‘purple’ countries has been changed following advice from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. The USA has been removed from the list due to the current infection situation. This means that partners and grandparents may not arrive in Norway from the USA as of 00:01 on Monday 12 July. Travellers from the USA must undergo quarantine in a quarantine hotel unless they meet the requirements for an exemption.

‘I can fully understand that many people will be disappointed by this. This has been a long pandemic and many had hoped to see their nearest and dearest this summer. Unfortunately, the global infection situation is in a rapid state of change and we have always been clear that changes would be made. Anyone planning to receive visitors from abroad should follow the situation closely. We continue to advise against travel abroad,’ says state secretary Lars Jacob Hiim of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security.

At the same time, the ministry is aware that some people have already applied for and been granted permission to enter Norway but that they will be unable to travel to Norway before 12 July. Persons who have been granted such permits will be allowed to use them, but they will be required to undergo quarantine in a quarantine hotel upon arrival in Norway, as is the case for all persons arriving from countries with infections at such levels.

Countries and regions on the EU’s list of third countries that satisfy the criteria for green countries will be classified as purple. More non-Norwegian citizens will be permitted to travel from countries that are purple as compared with those that are red. This will include partners and grandparents of people residing in Norway.

New updates on a weekly basis

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health will assess eligible countries and regions on a weekly basis. In even-numbered weeks, a broad assessment will be carried out on the basis of the infection situation seeking to determine whether countries and regions should be subject to eased or tightened restrictions.  In odd-numbered weeks, the assessment will only identify whether any countries should be subject to tightened restrictions (e.g. moving from green to red).

Updates to these country assessments will be published online at regjeringen.no each Friday at 12:00, and the changes will enter into force from 00:01 on the following Monday. The changes will be shown in the Covid-19 Regulations and the interactive map available at FHI.no.

Purple countries and regions

Purple countries and regions are included on the EU’s list of countries and regions outside of the EU where the infection situation indicates that somewhat eased restrictions are appropriate.

The following countries and regions will remain purple:

  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • Israel
  • Japan
  • Lebanon
  • North Macedonia
  • Serbia
  • South Korea
  • Singapore
  • Taiwan

Change in travel advice applicable to countries and regions in Europe and third countries - regjeringen.no

Ministry of Justice and Public Security