Solution for daily commuters from Sweden and Finland with a strict testing and control regime

After Norway further restricted the regulations on entries on 29 January 2021, nearly all workers from Sweden and Finland who travel daily into Norway have been unable to come to work, except for health personnel. The restrictions have entailed considerable consequences, especially for those who are not getting paid since they cannot come to work in Norway. This situation affects a relatively limited group of about 3,000 persons.

The Norwegian Directorate of Health (NDH) and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) find it justifiable to lift the entry restrictions on near-border commuters from Sweden and Finland. They consider testing every seven days as sufficient to reduce the risk for this group in terms of infection control.

- Due to the infection situation in Norway and Europe, we cannot open up too much at a time. Still, it is good that we have now found a solution for this small group of daily commuters who have been in a severely challenging situation, says Minister of Justice and Public Security, Monica Mæland (Conservative Party).

Important for commuters

The exemption from the entry restrictions applies to foreigners residing in Sweden or Finland who commute daily to work in Norway. Daily commutes include evening or night work, as long as the worker returns home after the working hours. This adjustment solves what has been a difficult situation for many commuters from our neighbouring nations Sweden and Finland.

- The Government has now arranged a scheme based on infection control advice, enabling daily commuters from Sweden and Finland to come to work in Norway. This is good news for those who commute, says Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Torbjørn Røe Isaksen.

Strict testing regime

The control and documentation of testing, place of residence, and employers will be considerably stricter compared to the scheme before the border was in effect closed.

The quarantine rules for the daily commuters from Sweden and Finland are controlled through the COVID-19 Regulations, article 6b, and imply that the commuters will be exempt from the entry quarantine in their working hours if they are tested every seven days.

The Government further tightens the rules and introduces a requirement in the entry regulations stating that daily commuters from Sweden and Finland must, upon entry, present a negative COVID-19 test taken within the past seven days. The test must have been taken in Norway, Sweden, or Finland, and must be taken before crossing the border.

The COVID-19 Regulations, article 6b, will be amended so that arrivals will not be required to have a new test on the day of arrival but will be required to take a new test no later than seven days after the last negative test. The requirement of testing every seven days to be exempt from entry quarantine in the working time will be maintained.

Border control

At the border checkpoint, daily commuters from Sweden and Finland must present proof of residence in Sweden or Finland. A certificate from the Norwegian employer is also required, confirming that the individual is a daily commuter, including information about the place of work, working hours, and that the distance from the home does not impede daily commutes. Each worker must also register in the entry registration system before each entry.

The amendments will take effect at midnight before Monday, 1 March.

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