The Norwegian Government has introduced stricter testing requirements for arrivals from countries outside the EEA and Schengen Area.

The new change in measures took effect on Thursday, April 29, worldwidecollege.in reports.

In a press release issued by the Norwegian Ministry of Health,  it is explained that all persons coming from non-EEA or non-Schengen Area countries, who have previously received a positive rapid test result, are obliged to undergo a PCR test at the border prior to entering the country.

In addition, all persons staying at quarantine hotels in Norway must undergo a PCR test 24 hours after their arrival. The Ministry noted that the municipalities would offer the tests.

“Norway has among the strictest systems in Europe to prevent import infection. We are now introducing even stricter rules for testing. We do this to limit the spread of the mutated and more contagious virus variants,” the Minister of Health and Care Services Bent Høie said.

Furthermore, the Ministry pointed out that all persons who have stayed in a high-risk area with quarantine obligations during the last ten days must be tested at Norway’s border crossing points.

Prior to the new measures, the PCR test was required to be taken within 24 hours of arrival. The Norwegian Directorate of Health and the National Institute of Public Health believes that the measure, which requires testing at the border immediately after entry, is essential in order to prevent the further spread of the COVID-19 as well as to detect new virus mutations.

Previously, Norway imposed mandatory testing on  the seventh day of quarantine for all persons who do not self-isolate in quarantine hotels. However, following the new regulations, even the persons staying in quarantine hotels will be subject to the same rules.

Additionally, in a bid to halt the spread of new mutations, the Norwegian Government has tightened entry measures for all travellers from Bangladesh, India, Iraq, Nepal, and Pakistan.

“The infection situation in India, among other places, is very serious. To limit the risk of importing new virus variants, we are now introducing stricter entry rules for travellers from India and neighbouring countries,” the Minister of Justice and Emergency Management Monica Mæland said.

Quarantine hotel orders were introduced for all travellers from the Asian countries mentioned above with only a few exceptions. Thus, all persons who have travelled to these countries for essential purposes will be subjected to quarantine hotels.

The stringent measures for travellers from these countries entered into force on April 28.