The Swedish government has decided to lift the pre-entry testing requirement that was previously imposed against all persons, regardless of their vaccination status and country of origin.
According to the latest press release issued by the Ministry of Justice of Sweden, starting from January 21, the requirement to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 48 hours within the arrival will no longer be effective.
Such a decision follows the request from the Public Health Agency of Sweden, SchengenVisaInfo reports.
“Travellers are no longer considered to represent a particular risk that would affect the spread of the Omicron variant in Sweden. For this reason, the specific requirement for a negative COVID-19 result from a test conducted within 48 hours of arrival to Sweden is no longer considered to be a proportional measure,” the statement of the Ministry reads.
Nonetheless, it has been emphasised that all persons who reach Sweden from European Union and European Economic Area countries are still required to present the EU Digital COVID Certificate upon their entry.
This means that EU/EEA travellers can present a document proving that they have been vaccinated, tested, or recovered from the virus. The requirement to present one of the certificates that fall under the EU COVID Pass applies to all persons over the age of 18.
However, it has been noted that certain exemptions apply, in particular to those travelling via Sweden.
“To make it easier for people travelling between Bornholm and another part of Denmark via Sweden, they will continue to be exempt from the COVID Certificate requirement,” the Ministry explained.
Regarding travellers who reach Sweden from a country outside the EU/EEA, it has been clarified that they need to follow the same rules as European travellers, provided that their COVID-19 certificates are recognised by the Swedish authorities.
On the other hand, those who hold a certificate that has not been recognised in Sweden are subject to the entry ban, meaning that they are currently not permitted entry to the country.
Sweden to Recognise Vaccination Passes Issued in Montenegro, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia & Uruguay
Through the same press release, the Swedish authorities have announced that starting from January 21, the country will recognise vaccination passes issued in Montenegro, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, and Uruguay.
This means that all persons who hold a vaccination pass issued in one of the above-mentioned countries will no longer be subject to the entry ban as soon as the new decision enters into force.
In addition, they will no longer be required to provide a pre-entry test taken before arrival.
“According to a European Commission decision, vaccination certificates issued in these countries are to be considered as equivalent to the EU Digital COVID Certificate,” the Ministry said.
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