Testing if symptomatic is still recommended for all unvaccinated preschoolers and older who have not recently had covid-19. It is also recommended that continued testing – regardless of vaccination – of workers in aged care, LSS and health care activities, as well as geriatric care recipients, seniors in LSS activities and, if necessary, care and treatment of suspected coronavirus.

Other groups that are still recommended for testing are people who know they have been infected or are part of an infection tracing chain. This applies even if they are fully vaccinated.

Unvaccinated people who have not had covid-19 within the past six months are also advised to continue testing after staying in a country outside the Nordic region. This also applies without symptoms

Fully vaccinated children, adolescents and adults and those who have recently had COVID-19, as of November 1, do not need to be tested for COVID-19 if they develop new respiratory symptoms or fever. As before, it also applies to not testing young children of preschool age (up to preschool class).

It can be performed due to the high vaccination coverage

The new recommendations, which take effect on November 1, come against the background that large parts of the population over the age of 16 are now fully vaccinated. Through vaccinations, the risks of suffering severe consequences as a result of covid-19 are reduced, as well as the risk of the infection spreading widely. The new recommendations focus on relevant settings and people where there is still a risk of widespread disease and severe disease consequences.

The most important thing is to focus testing on settings and groups where there is a risk of consequences for Covid-19 and where we appreciate that testing is appropriate and makes a difference. State deputy epidemiologist and department chief Karen Tegmark Wiesel says extensive testing among fully vaccinated people is no longer warranted.

In order to reduce the risk of spreading various respiratory infections, especially RS and influenza, there are reasons why everyone in the community needs to stay home in case they develop symptoms of a new cold or fever. If covid-19 is found, stay-at-home provisions will continue to apply.

Another important reason is to prevent infection from entering sensitive environments, in order to protect vulnerable groups at risk of contracting serious illness as a result of the Covid-19 virus. It is still important to test all unvaccinated people for symptoms as well as in environments where there is a risk of severe consequences and widespread infection and thus be able to detect infection early to prevent further spread of infection, says state deputy epidemiologist and division chief Karen Tegmark Wisell.

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This applies from 1 November

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