Sweden introduces test requirements for all travelers, regardless of vaccination status
At the request of the Swedish Public Health Agency, the Swedish government has introduced a new test protocol for all travelers, regardless of vaccination status and country of origin.
According to a press release from the Swedish office recently, the decision will take effect from 28 December and will affect all unvaccinated and vaccinated / healthy travelers from EU / EEA countries over 12 years. This means that all arrivals must present a negative covid-19 test performed 24 hours before entry into Sweden, reports SchegenVisaInfo.com.
Consequently, the EU’s digital covid-19 certificate will no longer be required of these travelers who reach the Nordic country. The only categories that are exempted from testing requirements are those who commute for work or study within the EU / EEA and those who travel via Sweden between Bornholm and Denmark, who can continue their journey by presenting a vaccination certificate.
“They can also present a certificate showing a negative result for ongoing covid-19 infection from a test done within a week before arrival in Sweden, or from 28 December a vaccination certificate.” the authority explains regarding travelers to Denmark from Bornholm.
>> Sweden introduces COVID-19 certificate requirements for Travelers From all EU / EEA countries
While Sweden has reported 51 positive cases of Omicron virus, which is slightly above the average of new cases in the EU, its neighboring country, Denmark has the highest proportion of Omicron cases – 762 of these, as data for 16 December to 19 December published by European The Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has shown.
On the other hand, yesterday, December 22, the Danish government ordered milder entry restrictions for ten countries in South Africa, which were considered virus variants, claiming that the country itself handles a similar risk of spreading Omicron.
In addition, the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs decided that the travel advice will no longer revolve around the existence of a virus variant, but instead the guide will depend on the security situation in each country.
In addition, the other Nordic neighbor Norway completed its special entry requirements for eight southern African countries.
“The special entry restrictions imposed on travelers arriving from 8 countries in southern Africa at the end of November will be removed. Measures were introduced to limit and delay the spread of the Omicron variant. “ the press release unveiled today, December 23rd.
Norway is among the countries hardest hit by covid-19. Although approximately 1,792 positive cases of covid-19 have been reported there, the fixed number of Omicron cases has not been defined.
>> Finland will reintroduce internal border controls with all Schengen countries from 28 December