In the context of the problematic sanitary situation linked to the rise of COVID-19 cases and the spread of the Omicron variant in the EU, the Public Health Agency of Sweden has requested the Government to tighten entry restrictions to the country.
In consequence, the Swedish authorities have decided to implement a COVID-19 diagnostic test requirement for travelers arriving in Sweden. The requirement will not depend on the country that the traveler is coming from as the Omicron variant is present in many countries now.
This means that from December 28th, 2021, every person with the intention of traveling to Sweden must take a COVID-19 diagnostic test up to 48 hours prior to arrival, and present the negative result at the borders to be allowed into the country.
This rule applies to adults and children over the age of 12 from any country independently of their vaccination status. Countries in the European Union and the European Economic Area and other Nordic countries are also included in the norm.
So far, the only exemptions to the test requirement described by the Swedish government are:
- People who commute for work or study in the EU/EEA will be allowed to present a vaccination certificate instead.
- People who travel via Sweden between Denmark and the Danish island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea will not have to take the COVID-19 test as they’re only “in transit”.
- Children below 12 years old will not have to take the test.
With the introduction of the COVID-19 test requirement, people coming to Sweden from other countries in the EU/EEA will no longer be required to present the EU Digital COVID Certificate at the borders. The negative test will “replace” the DCC, at least for now.
The new requirement is an amendment of the entry ban that the Swedish authorities have decided to extend until January 31st, 2022, by the end of November. Unlike the previous entry ban conditions, the new rules will affect neighboring countries of Norway, Denmark, and Finland.
These countries had free entry and free movement in Swedish territory until 21 December 2021 when the Public Health Agency of Sweden decided to introduce the EU Digital COVID Certificate requirement for them, too.
Along with Spain, Sweden was the last EU country that reported its first Omicron infection about one month ago.
Now, Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson has warned about incoming restrictions on “social contact”, such as the obligation of presenting a vaccination certificate to enter events, cultural venues, and restaurants.
“We see that the situation is deteriorating. We still do not have a very high infection rate in Sweden, but we see a very, very worrying development in many other EU countries”, said Andersson to a national news agency on Tuesday.
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