Explore Svalbard: The Arctic Wilderness Awaits

Svalbard – a dramatic archipelago of snow-dusted peaks and vast fields of ice – is a majestic wilderness with a unique allure. This breathtaking destination has been visited and admired by people from all over the globe, renowned for hosting the northernmost permanently inhabited town on earth. Following the closure of its borders amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the archipelago is now preparing to welcome visitors from the Norwegian mainland starting 1 June onwards.

According to an official press release, the government is implementing plans to ensure that reopening to tourists is conducted thoughtfully and safely. “The community in Longyearbyen has faced significant economic challenges due to the pandemic. It is appropriate that we enable Svalbard’s travel and leisure industry to resume activity simultaneously with the revision of official recommendations for leisure travel on the mainland,” stated Minister of Justice and Public Security, Monica Mæland.

Svalbard has not seen any tourists since the implementation of quarantine measures, but with numerous European countries looking to ease restrictions, it appears that this might change starting next month.

Situated in the Arctic Ocean, halfway between Norway and the North Pole, Svalbard has been the focus of discussions regarding the appropriate emergency medical responsiveness and potential long evacuation routes to the mainland for intensive care or hospital treatments. “We will consider measures to limit the total number of tourists visiting Svalbard at any given time. This is crucial concerning the available emergency responsiveness in Svalbard. Furthermore, it is a prerequisite for the travel and leisure industry to operate in a manner that mitigates the spread of infection,” said Mæland.

Individuals arriving on the Norwegian mainland from abroad will continue to adhere to the current quarantine regulations before proceeding to Svalbard.