Travel advice and restrictions November 2020

Travel advice and restrictions in November 2020 - what do we have to comply with? The map is constantly being redrawn during this pandemic and what applies today may not apply tomorrow. We summarise the current situation.

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World: Extended advisory for non-essential travel

The MFA has now (9 November 2020) decided to extend the advice against non-essential travel to all countries outside the EU/EEA/Schengen area and the UK until 31 January 2021.

This is an advisory and not a prohibition, so you should sheep but the advice is there for a reason, so if you disregard it, be prepared for various problems to arise during your trip. You should also be aware that your insurance may not be valid as usual. Different insurance companies have different rules, but some do not cover costs related to COVID-19 or additional costs due to quarantine.

Europe: Advisories in some countries - own responsibility in others

For the UK and non-EU European countries, the advice against non-essential travel is valid until 31 January. For Estonia, Ireland and Latvia, the advisory on non-essential travel applies until 18 November 2020. For other countries in the EU/EEA/Schengen area, there is currently no advisory.

However, this does not mean that the situation is business as usual, or that travelling anywhere is free. Currently, the spread of COVID-19 is increasing across Europe and regulations in different countries and regions can change from day to day. These include closed borders, restricted entry and exit, quarantine rules and curfews.

You also need to be prepared for situations where shops, restaurants and hotels are closed, and if you fall ill, you risk having to go to medical facilities that are overloaded and on their knees. You can find more information at Ministry of Foreign Affairs website and on Sweden Abroad, and you can also download the app Ready to travel for information on specific countries.

Wherever one travels, a great deal of responsibility rests with the individual traveller. The MFA encourages every traveller to prepare properly for a trip, stay well informed about current entry regulations and follow the advice and instructions of local authorities on the spot.

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Sweden: Local travel advice

Many regions in Sweden have now introduced local general advice, and you can read the advice at Public Health Agency's website. For example, several regions advise avoiding public transport, avoiding physical contact with people other than those you live with, avoiding meetings and concerts, and avoiding visits to shops (except for essential visits to grocery stores and pharmacies), swimming pools and museums.

Some regions have advice specifically on travel and travelling. In the case of the councils for Blekinge, these can be found at Region Blekinge's website.

• Norrbotten: Avoid making unnecessary journeys both within and outside the region.
• Västerbotten: Avoid making unnecessary journeys both within and outside the region.
• Blekinge: Stay at home. Do not travel anywhere unless it is absolutely necessary. Exceptions are travelling to and from work, studies or healthcare.

When can you travel 'as usual' again?

Of course, no one knows when it will be safe to travel again, or if anything will ever be "back to normal". Right now, things are not looking too good, as the infection is increasing and the virus seems to thrive in the cold. On the other hand, there have been recent reports that a vaccine may be on its way. Although we may have to wait a while longer, it still feels like a small ray of light in the darkness. In the meantime, keep your distance and stay safe!

Please note that the information in this blog post is current at the time of writing, but the situation can change quickly. Visit the websites of the Public Health Agency of Sweden, Sweden Abroad and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for updated information.

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