SA travel

Spain and Norway lift entry bans on SA. Image : AdobeStock

Travel update: Spain and Norway scrap entry bans on SA

Following in the footsteps of France and Germany, two more European countries scrap their entry bans against South Africa.

SA travel

Spain and Norway lift entry bans on SA. Image : AdobeStock

In the last few weeks, a number of states in Europe have gradually lifted entry bans against nationals from South Africa and several other states in the region. Spain and Norway have also now scrapped the entry bans they imposed against nations in southern Africa.

In late November a slew of countries in Europe enforced rigid travel rules on states in southern Africa, in an attempt to contain the import of the Omicron variant, which experts feared vaccines would be less effective against due to a large number of mutations.

The United Kingdom scrapped its red-list in mid-December. Denmark and the Netherlands also lifted their entry bans on SA nationals later the same month. This year has seen Germany and France also removing their entry bans.

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SPAIN EASES RESTRICTIONS

Spain has reopened its borders to fully vaccinated travellers from nine southern African countries, including South Africa, thus removing a ban instated on 30 November 2021.

According to Travelnews, no quarantine is required on arrival but travellers are required to show proof of a negative test result (taken within the 72 hours prior to arrival for a PCR test, or 24 hours for a rapid antigen test).

Passengers arriving in Spain from all countries (including those in transit to other countries) must complete a Health Control Form prior to departure, in order to receive their QR code which is required at check-in and on arrival in Spain.

NORWAY SCRAPS ENTRY BAN

Norway has scrapped its travel ban on eight Southern African countries, originally imposed in response to the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. The Norwegian government has put an end to mandatory quarantine for travellers on arrival.

Tourism Update states that travellers from South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Malawi can also now enter the Scandinavian country without needing to test for COVID-19 before departure.

“Omicron is now established in many countries, including Norway. This is why the special measures are being removed. We are also keeping the strict general entry restrictions that apply to arrival in Norway,” says Norway’s Minister of Health and Care Services, Ingvild Kjerkol per Tourism Update.