To contain the spread of COVID-19, many countries have adopted measures restricting people movement and introducing quarantine regimes for their citizens and foreign travelers. It is strongly recommended to familiarize with the regulations in force in each country, also by consulting the Viaggiare Sicuri website, and to monitor the websites of airlines and airports for updated information on the traffic situation.
The Italian Governmet has decided that travels to Italy and transfers within the country are allowed solely for work requirements, health needs or personal necessity reasons and that they need to be proven by a self-declaration.
Everyone entering Italy, even if they do not show symptoms of Covid-19, shall inform of their entry in the country and shall remain 14 days in self-isolation.
For detailed and updated information please click here (in Italian)
- NORWAY
New border control rules, entry rules and rules on rejecting foreign nationals
To limit the spread of infection by people arriving in Norway from other countries, extensive border controls are being introduced with effect from Monday 16 March at 8 a.m. The Government will close the border to foreign nationals who lack a residence permit in Norway. They will be turned away at the border. The police are instituting temporary entry and exit controls at the inner and outer Schengen border, but no border crossing points are being closed.
Communication from the Ministry of Justice: https://www.regjeringen.no/en/aktuelt/stricter-border-controls-being-introduced/id2693624/
Exceptions are made for citizens of the SEE area (EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA), which includes all EU countries, and for other special cases. The provision on rejection does not apply to EEA nationals, and their family members who are covered by the right to free movement, who reside or work in Norway. The Government and the Directorate for Immigration clarify and answer in the links below to numerous questions relating to the status and situation of citizens of the EEA area following the measures taken to contain the spread of the virus
– https://www.regjeringen.no/en/topics/immigration-and-integration/innsikt/questions–answers-on-new-rules-barring-entry-to-norway/id2693775/
– https://www.udi.no/en/about-the-corona-situation/eueaa-national-or-family-member/#link-18000
The citizens of the EEA area can transit to Norway on their way back to the country of residence.
Svalbard: entry to the Svalbard archipelago is prohibited to all travelers except those from Norway, Sweden and Finland who have not been out of the Nordic area since 27 February 2020.
New regulations issued by the Norwegian health authorities provide that
Foreign travelers arriving from other countries are asked to return to their country of origin. Alternatively they can quarantine for 14 days. Foreign nationals who are in quarantine, but who are symptom-free, may leave Norway on condition that sound infection control measures are practiced during the transfer from the place of quarantine to the place of departure.
Norwegian citizens and residents of Norway arriving in Norway from abroad must undergo preventive quarantine for 14 days, regardless of whether or not they experience coronavirus symptoms.
Exception is made for persons who, for working reasons, must cross the borders between Norway, Sweden and Finland, when travelling to and from work.
All travelers with coronavirus symptoms will be isolated. The isolation regimen lasts up to a minimum of 7 days after the symptoms disappear.
The provisions are retroactive and apply to all arrivals from Thursday 27 February and they are in effect from 12 March.
– Page of the Norwegian Government website with comprehensive information on the measure adopted to contrast Covid-19 https://www.regjeringen.no/en/topics/koronavirus-covid-19/id2692388/
– Page on Covid-19 of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health website: https://www.fhi.no/en/id/infectious-diseases/coronavirus/
– Answers to questions and recommendations on travels:
https://www.regjeringen.no/en/topics/foreign-affairs/reiseinformasjon/travel_coronavirus/id2691821/
- ICELAND
The measures and recommendations adopted by the Icelandic authorities are available at https://www.covid.is/english. The Icelandic Civil Protection has proclaimed a state of emergency on the whole island.
As of today, there are no particular restrictions on the movement of travelers in Iceland. Ports and airports continue to remain open but the authorities have tightened entry and exit control measures. In ports, all boats arriving from abroad must deliver a medical certificate concerning the Covid-19 to the Coast Guard before being allowed to enter.
Health authorities recommend that all travelers who believe that they have contracted the virus or experience symptoms should not go to medical centers without notice but contact the telephone number 1700 (00354 544-4113 from foreign telephones).
To contain the spread of the virus, the Icelandic authorities, as of March 19th, advise residents of Iceland arriving from abroad to remain in quarantine for 14 days.
PREVENTION MEASURES
The Embassy strongly advises everybody to comply as far as possible with the recommendations issued
– by the Italian Ministry of Health in Italy
(see the “Prevention and treatment” section of the website of the Ministry)
http://www.salute.gov.it/portale/nuovocoronavirus/dettaglioOpuscoliNuovoCoronavirus.jsp?lingua=italiano&id=443
– by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health in Norway
https://www.fhi.no/en/op/novel-coronavirus-facts-advice/facts-and-general-advice/advice-and-information-to-public/
– by the WHO
The World Health Organization (https://www.who.int/ ) provides continuously updated information on the state of global spread and progress in the fight against the virus The WHO gives as well answers to frequently asked questions and recommendations on how to protect yourself.
