Stockholm, June 30 (CNA) Sweden and Finland have lifted entry restrictions and quarantine requirements for travelers from Taiwan, following similar decisions taken by other European countries in recent weeks.

The Swedish government said on Wednesday that people residing in Taiwan are allowed to travel to Sweden without proving that the trip is for essential or urgent reasons, with immediate effect.

Travelers from Taiwan must still present a negative COVID-19 test result issued within 48 hours of their flight, although they do not need to self-quarantine.

If, however, a person has visited a country deemed to be “high risk” in the seven days prior to entering Sweden, the country’s Public Health Agency recommends taking a COVID-19 test on the first and fifth day of. his arrival, in addition to the quarantine. for seven days.

Recommendations are exempt for people who have been fully vaccinated for at least two weeks, and children under 6 do not need to be tested, according to the agency.

These rules will apply until August 31, after which the Swedish government will make adjustments based on recommendations from the European Union (EU).

Finland, meanwhile, announced on Tuesday that from July 1, people residing in Taiwan will be allowed to enter Finland without having to show a negative COVID-19 test result or proof of vaccination.

They are also exempt from quarantine, the Finnish government said.

The relaxed restrictions will only apply if Taiwanese residents fly directly to Finland, but no direct flights are currently available.

They also apply if Taiwanese residents are transiting through other countries for which Finland has also lifted travel restrictions, such as Austria, Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, Japan, New -Zeeland, Singapore and South Korea.

According to Taiwan’s representative office in Finland, travelers should always confirm with their airlines whether they need to present a negative COVID-19 test result before boarding, as airlines have different rules in this regard.

Over the past two weeks, Germany, the Netherlands, France and Belgium have also eased restrictions on travelers from Taiwan, following an EU announcement on June 18 that included Taiwan on its list of safe countries.

According to a press release issued by the European Council that day, it is recommended that EU member states gradually lift the EU-wide ban on non-essential travel for countries or territories listed on the security list.