Norway is now accepting the EU Digital Covid Certificate for travelers, according to a press release published by the Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services.
Beginning on Thursday, 24 June 2021, travelers holding the Certificate can now enter Norway, regardless of where they are from, according to the press release.
To obtain a Certificate, the traveler must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 with an EU-approved vaccine, recovered within the last 6 months, or pass a Covid-19 test within 48 hours of registering and departing.
In addition, travelers who have the EU Digital Covid-19 Certificate will not be subject to quarantine, registration, or any other travel restrictions.
“On Thursday 24 June, Norway will connect to the EU’s Digital COVID certificate gateway. People who are fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 during the past 6 months and have a valid COVID certificate may therefore enter Norway. They will not be subject to a duty to quarantine, test requirements, or entry registration,” the press release reads.
According to the press release, the Certificate can currently be used for the following purposes:
- To document vaccination, recovery, or testing for Covid-19 when traveling to countries plugged into the Certificate’s Gateway.
- To avoid quarantine, pre-testing, and entry registration.
- To attend large public events.
- To take cruises along the Norwegian coast.
The Certificate has been long-awaited by potential travelers to the EU as a means to just be allowed to enter. Norway is looking to revive parts of the country’s economy that have suffered during the pandemic, such as the tourism and hospitality industries.
“Thanks to speedy, effective, and positive cooperation in Europe, we will have an EU Digital COVID Certificate (EUDCC) solution already on Thursday, which will considerably simplify travel for people who are fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19. This will make a big difference both to individuals and to vital workplaces in the Norwegian tourism industry,” said Minister of Health and Care Services Bent Høie.
In addition, Norway will offer an option for a non-digital Certificate that will be treated equally to the digital one for people that do not have access to the internet or a mobile phone.
For this option, travelers will need to call the Norwegian Health Economics Administration. If the traveler has an active Certificate, it will be mailed to them. The paper option in valid for 90 days from the date it was printed.
However, Norwegian authorities are encouraging anyone with the ability to access their certificate digitally to do so.
“We now have a COVID-19 certificate solution for people who are unable to use a PC, mobile telephone, or tablet. As of tomorrow, these people can telephone the COVID-19 information helpline and be sent a COVID-19 certificate in the post. However, we want as many people as possible to use the digital solution on helsenorge.no and to only print a copy of the certificate at home, if necessary,” said Høie.
To read the Ministry of Health and Care Services’ press release, click this link.
