European countries have continued to ease their Covid-19 travel rules as the threat from the Omicron variant starts to recede across the continent.
France is no longer requiring fully vaccinated visitors from the UK and other third countries to take Covid tests after changing its rules on Saturday (12 February).
Vaccinated travellers to France will only have to show proof of vaccination status, as well as providing a sworn statement that they do not have any Covid symptoms or had any contact with anybody who has tested positive for the virus within 14 days of travel.
Previously, all people arriving in France from outside the EU were required to present a negative test result taken within 48 hours of departure, regardless of the traveller’s vaccination status.
Finland is also making a similar move to scrap pre-entry testing for visitors from outside the EU and Schengen travel area.
From Tuesday (15 February), travellers will no longer have to show a negative Covid test result on arrival in Finland. But they will still have to provide proof of vaccination or recovery from the virus.
The Finnish government said that some Covid restrictions at its border would continue until 13 March.
Neighbouring Norway has lifted its requirements for vaccination certificates and testing when entering the country. The requirement to fill out a digital registration form has also been removed.
The announcement of the lifting of Norway’s Covid restrictions was made on Saturday (12 February) by Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Store.
“The coronavirus pandemic is no longer a major health threat to most of us,” said Store. “The Omicron virus causes far less serious illness and we are well protected by vaccines.”
Norway has also removed its requirement to wear face masks and social distancing rules.