At midnight last night, the extension of the general entry ban entered into force. The requirement to present a negative COVID-19 test result remains in place for entry from all countries. At the same time, the separate entry restrictions on travel from Denmark and Norway were also lifted. The requirement to present a negative COVID-19 test result also applies for entry from these countries. The entry ban has been extended until 31 May.
“Extending the general entry ban reduces the risk of further spread of the COVID-19 virus and of more people in Sweden falling ill. The separate restrictions on travel from Denmark and Norway are being lifted in a responsible manner, in line with a request from the Public Health Agency of Sweden, to accommodate those who live and work in our border regions,” says Minister for Home Affairs Mikael Damberg.
The general entry ban and the requirement to present a negative COVID-19 test result on entry into Sweden will apply following the extension until 31 May 2021. However, the Government has decided to lift the separate entry restrictions for travel from Denmark and Norway. From today, a negative COVID-19 test result is a requirement – with certain exceptions – for entry from these countries into Sweden under the same regulations that apply to other European Economic Area (EEA) states.
Thus, a general entry ban continues to apply for foreign citizens. For entry from EEA states, the entry ban means that you may not enter the country if you cannot present a negative COVID-19 result on arrival in Sweden. For countries outside the EU/EEA, known as ‘third countries’, only people who belong to a category of people who are exempt may enter Sweden and only if they can also present a negative COVID-19 test result. The requirement applies to foreign citizens aged 18 and older, with certain exemptions. Now that the Brexit transition period has come to an end, the UK is a ‘third country’ and, according to EU recommendations, entry from the UK should be regulated in the same way as entry from other third countries.
As before, a negative COVID-19 test result is only valid if taken within the previous 48 hours. For those who commute for work or study, the requirement has been relaxed: they will be able to present test results that are no older than 7 days.
Swedish citizens always have the right to enter Sweden and are not subject to entry bans or required to present a negative COVID-19 test result. But everyone who has been abroad – including Swedish citizens and people who are exempt from the entry ban or the requirement for a negative COVID-19 test result – should follow the recommendations of the Public Health Agency of Sweden for people entering Sweden from abroad on what to do after arrival.
For more information, please see the questions and answers via the adjacent link.
