Empty check-in counters at Sweden’s Gothenburg-Landvetter Airport. Image: Adobe Stock
Sweden introduces travel ban to keep non-EU visitors out
Sweden’s new travel ban is effective from 6 February and affects all non-European Union visitors engaged in non-essential travel.
Empty check-in counters at Sweden’s Gothenburg-Landvetter Airport. Image: Adobe Stock
Sweden has become known for taking a somewhat different approach in handling the COVID-19 pandemic, but a travel ban has become inevitable.
Travel restrictions have not generally been in place in Sweden at any point throughout the pandemic.
The country has attracted some criticism for not implementing the strict lockdown restrictions or border closures many other countries across the globe imposed to limit the spread of COVID-19 infections.
TRAVEL BAN FUELLED BY RISE IN COVID-19 DEATHS
The number of deaths related to COVID-19 is much higher in Sweden than in the neighbouring countries of Norway, Denmark and Finland.
With rising infection rates caused by the new variants of the COVID-19 virus prevalent in several countries, Sweden is now tightening up on the movement of people from outside its borders.
SWEDEN’S TRAVEL BAN IN PLACE UNTIL END MARCH
The Swedish government has decided to ban all non-essential travel to Sweden from countries outside the European Union. According to www.krisinformation.se, the site where emergency information from Swedish authorities is posted, the travel ban will be in effect from 6 February to 31 March.
The travel ban does not apply to citizens and their families from Sweden and EU/European Economic Area countries and Switzerland. However, a temporary ban for nationals from the UK, Denmark and Norway is in place.
Exceptions will be made for foreign nationals with specific needs. Swedish border control officials will interpret such cases and make the required decisions.
SWEDEN REQUIRES NEGATIVE COVID-19 TEST RESULTS
Sweden now requires all foreign nationals to produce negative COVID-19 test results on arrival. The test must not be older than 48 hours. Like the travel ban, his requirement is expected to remain in place until the end of March.
Airlines may request all passengers to present COVID-19 test results before flying to Sweden. This is not a requirement for Swedish and EU nationals entering Sweden.
There is no quarantine requirement for travellers to Sweden.
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