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Test criteria for coronavirus
Anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 should be tested, including people who are vaccinated.
Anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 should be tested, including people who are vaccinated.
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On 29.11.2021, changes were made in the COVID-19 regulations for situations where the omicron variant is confirmed or suspected. The measures are described under «Spesifikke TISK-tiltak for omikronvarianten» [in Norwegian]
The following should be tested:
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With symptoms
Everyone with newly-arisen respiratory tract infection or other symptoms of COVID-19. This also applies to people who are vaccinated or have had COVID-19 more than 3 months ago, who may have mild symptoms.
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With known exposure
Household members or equivalent close contacts
Other close contacts
People who have been notified by Smittestopp
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Arrival in Norway*
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Other screening after infectional control assessment*
In certain healthcare institutions after local assessment
Regular testing in certain situations
Anyone who suspects that they have COVID-19
Further information about the different groups can be found further down the page.
For testing with symptoms associated with vaccination, see:
COVID-19 consultations and testing are free in the public health service for everyone who is staying in the country, regardless of residence status.
- There is usually no basis for forcing people without symptoms to be tested, according to the Infection Control Act.
Supplementary information about who should be tested
1) With symptoms
Everyone with symptoms of COVID-19, including those who are vaccinated, should be considered for testing. For those who have had COVID-19 in the last 3 months, PCR results after retesting may be difficult to assess because long-term PCR positivity is a known phenomenon among some people after SARS-CoV-2 infection.
COVID-19 often has the following symptoms; fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, headache, aching muscles or feeling unwell. Vaccinated people may have mild cold symptoms such as a blocked or runny nose and sneezing with COVID-19. Read more about COVID-19 symptoms:
For residents of nursing homes, there should be an extremely low threshold for testing even for mild symptoms, even though they may be vaccinated.
Children should also be tested, in consultation with their parents. Children with a runny nose as the only symptom, who are otherwise in general good health without other signs of a newly arisen respiratory tract infection, do not need to be kept at home or tested.
Self-testing, rapid antigen tests and PCR can be appropriate. Self-testing is particularly useful for a quick response time. Positive self-tests should be confirmed with a PCR test.
2) After exposure
a) Household members or equivalent close contacts
Test regimen.
- Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated people over 18 years are required to follow the following test regimen (unvaccinated and partially vaccinated people under 18 years are recommended to follow the same regimen): either daily self-test / rapid antigen test, or PCR every other day.
- Fully vaccinated people or those who have had COVID-19 in the last 12 months: one test taken immediately, one more test within 7 days, preferably between days 3-5.
b) Other close contacts
Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated: One test. Test can be taken immediately, see Close contacts and isolation
Self-test or rapid antigen test from the front part of the nose is the first choice for this indication. Positive self-test results should be confirmed by PCR test.
c) People notified by the Smittestopp app
People who receive a notification from the Smittestopp app that they may have been exposed to infection, are encouraged to be tested. As it is unknown when transmission may have occurred, and because a few days after exposure will have passed, they should be tested as soon as possible.
Self-test or rapid antigen test from the front part of the nose is the first choice for this indication. Positive test results should be confirmed by PCR test.
3) Arrival in Norway
4. Other screening after infection control assessment
Before admission to certain health institutions, testing may be relevant. The health institution's infection control officer will provide advice on this.
b) Other screening after assessment
After a specific infection control assessment, advice can be given about testing different groups more regularly for better control in certain situations with widespread transmission.
In such situations, rapid antigen testing will be most appropriate.
c) Anyone who suspects they are infected with COVID-19 should be given the opportunity to get tested
A person who believes or suspects that they are infected with COVID-19 should be offered a test, if there is sufficient capacity.
Other people who want a test for other reasons, for example because they need a health certificate before leaving the country, can also be tested, but the test will then usually not be covered by the public sector.
d) Test for use in COVID-19 certificate
A negative COVID-19 test taken during the last 24 hours is equivalent with vaccination and immunity after having COVID-19 disease in the COVID-19 certificate. Testing will mainly take place using rapid antigen tests, will take place under the supervision of the responsible doctor and will be notified to MSIS.
The COVID-19 certificate on Helsenorge has two tabs. One for Norway and one for the EU / EEA. After 24 hours, the Norwegian COVID-19 certificate will be red (if you have not been vaccinated or have had an illness), but you will still be able to see the test result and when the test was taken. This can be found under the EU / EEA tab. This will be displayed for seven days after the test is taken. The EU / EEA certificate does not use colour codes. This means that even if the Norwegian certificate is red, it may be valid in the EU / EEA country. The person who travels has a duty to familiarise himself with the rules of the country they travel to.
- For guides to municipalities and private actors (Helsedirektoratet)
PCR test refers to PCR and other nucleic acid amplification tests.
Other nucleic acid amplification (NAT) tests are considered equivalent to PCR tests (as specified in COVID-19 regulations).