Negative test results for covid-19 are required to enter Sweden from the United Kingdom

Recently, the government, through an entry ban, severely restricted the right to travel to Sweden from the United Kingdom. Swedish citizens and everyone who brings goods out of the UK are exempt from the ban. The same applies to people who live or work in Sweden, people with urgent family reasons and diplomats.

Today the government made a decision that means that foreigners exempt from the entry ban must present a negative test result for ongoing covid-19 infection, before they are allowed to travel to the country. This condition does not apply to those transporting goods, so that they can travel without a negative test result. This is in order not to hinder the transportation of important goods such as medicines or medical equipment.

This requirement also does not apply to Swedish citizens, who always have the right to travel to Sweden. However, the Public Health Agency’s call remains in effect that everyone who has visited the United Kingdom should be tested for Coronavirus upon arrival in Sweden, stay at home and five days after testing again.

Today’s decision is an important tool for reducing the risk of infection and is also in line with the new recommendation of the European Commission. It is important that we strive to work with the rest of the European Union in a special situation when it comes to the UK in particular, says Interior Minister Michael Damperg.

The government’s decision on negative test demands is linked to the flying ban for traffic from the UK, which expires on January 1.

The change takes effect from the following day tomorrow, January 1.