Tips for Traveling to Norway as Borders Open Up

Infection rates in Europe have gone down and slowly but surely Europe and the Nordic countries are reopening. We can once again start planning our holiday trip to Norway.

On 15 July 2021, Norway opened up to most EU / EEA / Schengen countries with low infection rates. As long as the feared "second wave" does not materialize and the COVID-19 situation does not worsen, Norwegian borders will remain open to countries deemed safe and will continue to open up further back to normality.

Check out Fjord Tours' page with updated travel and corona information.

The Nordic countries (especially Iceland, Norway, Denmark, and Finland) have dealt with the coronavirus pandemic in commendable ways, and can, therefore, be considered relatively safe areas to travel to. The Nordics have definitely benefited from being sparsely populated, especially outside the capital.

Outside of corona, other benefits of traveling to the Nordics include:

• Clean air and water
• Spectacular scenery and lots of space
• Large selection of outdoor activities
• Safe accommodation options
• Easy travel by car, train, and boat if you want to avoid unnecessary flying
• Sustainable destinations
• High focus on hygiene and other safety measures

Regardless of whether it opens up for travel again, there are of course some restrictions and precautions we must take before we board the plane:

Before traveling, check the details of your travel insurance to ensure that you are covered in the event of delays or cancellations related to Covid-19. You may need to consider a special insurance policy. You should also check the travel advice and restrictions in your home country.

Other important things to consider before you travel:

• Be prepared to follow the advice of local authorities while abroad, e.g. be ready and willing to meet local requirements for isolation or quarantine
• Make sure you have enough medication in case the trip is longer than originally planned
• Be prepared for financial and logistical disruptions on the trip
• Arrange extra support for family members or pets who may need care if you are abroad longer than planned
• Remember that if you are elderly or have pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease), you may be more likely to become seriously ill if you get the virus
• Check the latest public health advice at the destination you are traveling to. The Norwegian Public Health Council has a page about travel in connection with the Coronavirus, you can visit it here 
• Be prepared to fill out pre-registration forms when entering a country, describe contact information, travel dates, all hotels, and other accommodation during your travels, and information about where you have traveled recently, if you have potential symptoms, and if you have been in contact with an infected person.

Otherwise, we have all become accustomed to "the new normal", which means keeping your distance, washing your hands and wearing a face mask in large crowds. These norms also apply when you are traveling (such as at the airport and on board the plane), and are there for both your own and others' well-being.

Stopping the infection

Coronavirus spreads mainly from person to person - and through droplet transmission. You can prevent infection and the spreading of the virus in several ways:

• Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and lukewarm water
• Sanitize your hands with an alcohol-based disinfectant if soap and water is not available
• Keep a distance of at least 1 meter to others
• Be on the alert for symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath
• If you are sick with Covid-19 or think you might have Covid-19, isolate yourself from other people

Planning a trip to Norway?

Check out what the Norway in a Nutshell® tour has to offer:

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