Covid-19: France, Norway, Portugal, Czech Republic announce additional entry requirements

More countries have announced additional entry requirements or bans on non-essential travel amid the coronavirus pandemic.

All those aged over 11 arriving in France from the European area (EU, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Vatican, and Switzerland) have to show the transport company and the border authorities a negative Covid-19 test (PCR) carried out at most 72 hours before travel, the Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) explained. The measure applies starting January 31 to all forms of travel (air, road, sea, railway).

At the same time, the French authorities recommend avoiding non-essential travel. They also strongly recommend those arriving in France to isolate for seven days and undertake a second Covid-19 test (PCR) at the end of this period.

Further information on the measures introduced by the French authorities hereand here.

Entry into Norway is allowed only to those who hold Norwegian citizenship, those who reside in the country and their family members, those in transit, and to several other categories, MAE explained. The measure applies from January 29 to February 12.

Passenger and goods transporters, naval and air crew, journalists and other staff working on assignments for foreign media, those who travel to Norway to care for minors or vulnerable categories, those who work in social areas deemed critical, and medical staff from Sweden and Finland working in the Norwegian healthcare are allowed to enter Norway. Those who started their travel on Norwegian territory before the new measures came into force are also allowed entry. More on Norway’s travel requirements here.

The Portuguese authorities also announced new entry conditions starting January 31, at 00:00. All those who arrive in Portugal by air from EU or Schengen countries with a Covid-19 case incidence between 150 and 500 per 100,000 inhabitants in the past 14 days (a category that includes Romania) need to show a negative Covid-19 test (PCR) carried out at most 72 hours before boarding,