Mandatory testing prior to departure and upon arrival at Svalbard is no longer required. The temporary halt to international charter flights to Svalbard is also lifted. At the same time, unvaccinated people are warned against traveling to Svalbard.

There have been special infection control regulations in place in Svalbard during the pandemic due to infection control and preparedness requirements.

“I am pleased that it is now time to remove more or less all infection control measures in Svalbard too. Although the pandemic is not over yet, and health preparedness in Svalbard is still vulnerable, the risk for Covid-19 infection to lead to critical stress of the island’s health services is now significantly less than previously during the pandemic. Therefore, we can now make these changes, which will be beneficial for the Svalbard community and local business”, says Justice and Preparedness Minister Emilie Enger Mehl.

The Norwegian Public Health institute argues that in the current situation, there is no longer any professional reasons why particular measures should be maintained in Svalbard.