The background: Local democracy in Longyearbyen
A few words about the background: Spitsbergen is, in accordance with the Spitsbergen Treaty, not organised in a democratic way. The Sysselmannen is not elected but appointed by the government. On a community level, all of Spitsbergen’s settlements were founded by mining companies and run by these companies as company towns for most or all of their history. The introduction of democratic elements has been discussed on a number of occasions in the 20th century, but took shape not before the 1990s and a town council (Longyearbyen Lokalstyre, LL) was established in 2002. Only Longyearbyen has a council, the other settlements in Spitsbergen are still organised as company towns without a democratic structure.
Longyearbyen Lokalystre, led by a mayor (here: lokalstyreleder), is so far elected locally by all inhabitants who have been registered for a certain minimum period regardless of their nationality. This is what the government in Oslo wants to change.
Near 3000 people are registered inhabitants of Spitsbergen’s settlements, with a majority near 2500 in Longyearbyen. Of the total number, more than 900 have a nationality other than Norwegian. A large proportion of Longyearbyen’s population is thus of other than Norwegian nationality. Nationalities in Longyearbyen include Thai people, Swedes and Danes, Russian, Germans, UK and US citizens and many others.
Right to vote and to be elected to be removed from non-Norwegians
A recent proposal from the Norwegian ministry of justice suggests to remove the right to vote and to be elected to be removed from non-Norwegians unless they have been registered in a Norwegian mainland community for at least three years, a condition met by very few of the many hundred “foreigners” living in Longyearbyen.
Longyearbyen is a community with a very international population, but soon possibly with a much reduced level of democracy.
The background lies within general Norwegian Svalbard politics, which aim at developing Longyearbyen as a Norwegian community. This does not necessarily mean an entirely Norwegian population, as is also highlighted by undersecretary of state Lars Jacob Hiim of the ministry of justice in this context. According to Hiim, the proposal in question does not aim at changing Longyearbyen’s population structure, but is to ensure amongst others that voters and their elected representatives have knowledge about “aims and frame conditions of (Norwegian) Svalbard politics”.
Mayor Arild Olsen declared himself fully taken by surprise by this proposal, as Olsen told Svalbardposten. Neither he nor the local council had been involved or informed before the recent publication of the proposal, which Olsen strongly rejects.
Locally, the proposal is recected not only by Olsen, but also by many others. Some of those who are concerned are appalled: denuding people who have lived in their community for years, sometimes for many years, of the right to vote or to be elected feels completely out of place and politically-democratically rather unappetising especially in the context of a democratic country in the 21st century, let alone in a country like Norway which is usually considered to be a very modern and open society, often leading the democratic path for many other countries in the world. The current proposal has a very nationalistic flavour and is something one would rather expect, for example, from certain east European countries who have chosen a rather downward-leading path in their democratic development.
Whereas most people in more central parts of Europe hardly have anything to do with firearms in their daily life, things are different in polar bear country and with 5000 arms for near 2500 people, Longyearbyen has a weapon density that is probably not far away from Texan standards. It is actually not directly required by law to carry a rifle when leaving the settlements as it is often ventilated by poorly informed media (or guides, unfortunately – click here for more about some commonly told arctic bullshit stories), but it is common practice and it is generally strongly advised to be properly equipped when venturing out into polar bear country.
Commercial weapon rental in Longyearbyen
Scientists, individual tourists and others who need, can rent weapons in Longyearbyen from authorised weapon dealers, of which there are two. There was the time when some kind of ID was enough to get a heavy-calibre firearm; but this has been history for years now: to rent a weapon from a commercial supplier, you need to have papers that you are legally entitled to have a weapon of the relevant kind or of a higher class, for example a European firearms pass or a hunting license. If you do not have any of these or equivalent, you can apply for permission from the Sysselmannen.
Borrowing weapons from persons or companies
Until recently it was, however, easy to borrow a weapon from a private person or, as an employee, from a company. The owner of the weapon “just” had to make sure that the borrower had the proper skills and knowledge and was character-wise able to have control over such a potentially lethal weapon. A simple form had to completed by the owner to provide evidence for legal borrowing for up to 4 weeks. But this is now history.
New Norwegian weapon law from 01 June
A new weapon law came into force in Norway including Spitsbergen on 01 June, replacing the previous one which was from 1961. One key change is this: The responsibility to check the borrower’s appropriateness to be given a weapon is not the owner’s anymore but now lies with appropriate authorities. That is the police in mainland Norway and the Sysselmannen (new designation from July: Sysselmester) in Spitsbergen (Svalbard), who provides further information on their official website.
This condition is considered met when the borrower can provide papers that entitle him or her to own a weapon of the kind in question or a higher-classed one (yes, there was a similar sentence higher up on this page already). This can, for example, be a Norwegian weapon card or a European firearm pass. The owner is obligated to check this before handing a weapon to the borrower. This is valid both for borrowing weapons between private persons, for example between members of one family – a common practice in Longyearbyen – and within companies, for example tour operators who supply their guides with rifles, also a very common practice in Spitsbergen.
Out and on tour in Spitsbergen: a rifle is usually not far away.
Applying for borrowing a weapon
If the borrower does not have proper certification, then the only way to legally borrow a weapon is applying for permission from the Sysselmannen, who will check the applicant’s general appropriateness (certificate of good conduct) and the relevant skills and knowledge (“tilstrekkelig våpendugleik”) to handle a weapon. According to the Sysselmannen, this can be done by providing evidence for having done military service, active membership in a shooting club or a safety course that includes weapon handling such as, for example, the courses usually provided by UNIS in Longyearbyen to their students and employees. The application costs 248 kroner (near 25 Euro). Click here to access an application form, applications by email are not accepted.
That’s the theory. In practice, questions remain open: do official documents such as a certificate of good conduct need (approved) translation and which documents exactly are accepted or not. I have sent a question catalogue to the Sysselmannen and provide updates here as more information becomes available.
Borrowing versus renting
Commercial weapon rental (Norwegian: utleie) is forbidden for private persons and most companies. Only authorised weapon dealers may offer weapons for rental on a commercial basis.
Deterrents remain compulsory
All this does not touch the legal requirement to carry an appropriate deterrent such as a signal pistol because polar bears are strictly protected and may not just be shot. Everything must be done to avoid dangerous encounters or, if it happens anyway, to avoid shooting a polar bear as long as human life is safe. Pepper spray is, however, not legally available in Norway including Spitsbergen. In certain situations, for example from the relative safety of a hut or even a tent, pepper spray could be helpful to scare a polar bear away efficiently and for good, thus potentially avoiding a situation where a bear might be shot.
News from Norway about international travelling
There is another press release concerning international travelling. Non-Norwegians may initially get the impression that the release is not too exciting, but there is some good stuff hidden in the beaurocratic wording of the release, especially near the end. It starts on a lower level of excitement: the colours of the FHI chart, which is important information for European travellers, are now matching European colours again. Which is nice for everybody who prefers green above yellow, but it doesn’t change much. The latest FHI map, updated today (21 June), shows only two European countries outside Scandinavia in green, namely Poland and Romania.
Norway will lift travel warnings for Europe (Schengen treaty countries), the UK and and a range of other countries from 05 July, subject to future warnings that may be issued at any time as needed. But this is relevant for Norwgians who want to travel abroad rather than non-Norwegians who want to travel to Norway. Also family visits will be easier: so far limited to first-grade relatives, the list of persons who may visit family in Norway is now getting longer, including for example grandparents. That is great for everybody concerned, but not a game changer for people wishing to travel to Norway in general.
Norway joins the European vaccination certificate system, which may make it significantly easier to get some fresh arctic wind around the nose this summer for those who have plans.
Corona infection values will be “harmonised with Europe”
Further down in the press release in question, a harmonisation of infection thresholds that countries need to stay under in order to travel to Norway without quarantine is mentioned. This may initially not sound too exciting, but it means that the threshold will be lifted from 25 infections per 100,000 people within 14 days to 50, something that may be an important change, as the old threshold of 25 is easy to miss even for countries with a good development, while 50 gives some more room for smaller outbreaks to not ruin everyodies travel plans. This change will enter force on 05 July.
And there is yet another important update: from 24 June, European travellers can use the European digital vaccination certificate to document their vaccinations or previous infections, and fully immunised travellers will be able to enter Norway regardless of the status of the country where they have stayed before entering Norway. This may indeed change things for many people.
Stage 3 of the Norwegian plan to lead the country back to normal life will come on Sunday, as the Norwegian government has announced in a press release. This first press release includes steps for the country back towards normal life and economy.
Two Oslo press releases
There is a second official press release, which is important for Spitsbergen tourism, including ship-based travelling. So far, a ban is in force that makes cruising over several days largely impossible. This will change on Sunday (20 June), but this comes with quite a bit of small print and the general development of the corona pandemic will continue to govern life in general and tourism in particular. This leaves a number of questionmarks, but the possibility of some Spitsbergen trips later this season is, at least, not completely unrealistic.
Norway makes steps to normal life and re-opens the possibility for cruises. It remains to be seen if “Spitsbergen under sail” will be possible in 2021.
General restrictions on international travelling remain in force
For international tourists, it is important to notice that the strict entry restrictions remain in force until further notice. Non-Norwegian tourists may enter the country only if they come from “yellow countries” on the FHI-map. Currently, most of Europe is red, and who can tell what the summer will bring considering the delta mutant of the corona virus that is connected to increasing infection figures in the UK? It is uncertain when Norway will permit at least fully vaccinated tourists from “red countries” to enter Norway again.
Currently, Norway only accepts vaccinations registered in Norway. This includes obviously vaccinations given in Norway; vaccinations given in other countries can, as of now, only be registered in Norway by persons who are registered in the country with a personal number (“fødselsnummer” or “D-nummer”). The digital European vaccination certificate may (or may not) facilitate this also for others, but that remains to be seen – as so much these days.
It is, however, clear that Norway will only accept vaccinations that are licensed by EMA (European Medicines Agency) for use in Europe. Other vaccinations such as Sputnik-V or Sinovac will currently not give travellers any advantages (other than the actual protection against infection and disease, of course!).
No testing requirement before flight to Longyearbyen for vaccinated travellers
Fully vaccinated / recovered travellers (“fully protected”) travellers do not need to test anymore before flying from mainland Norway to Longyearbyen. That is good news for the local tourism industry, where many hope that Norwegians will spend their summer holidays in Spitsbergen, where 83,5 % of the adult population (18 and older) are now vaccinated. But testing requirements for international travellers upon entering the country is another thing.
New rules for Spitsbergen-tourism
The following rules will apply from Sunday for tourism and cruising in Spitsbergen:
Tour operators will need to operate according to safe hygiene standards according to the same rules as on the mainland (no special rules anymore).
Hotels may use up to 90 % of their capacity and keep the remaining 10 % to accommodate travellers who need to quarantine.
Charter flights from Norway to Longyearbyen are allowed again, but not from other countries.
Ships that operate in Spitsbergen need to provide a disease protection plan that is accepted by the Sysselmann. Ships will not be able to use their full capacity, but 90 % or less depending on the protection status of all people on board.
If there are people on board who are not fully immunised, then the number of people on board is limited to 200 and there is a requirement to do tests before departure. This is valid for Norway and for Spitsbergen.
If everybody on board is fully immunised, then there may be up to 2000 people on board (yes, two thousand!). But in any case, only up to 90 % of the capacity may be used, or less, depending on the individual case.
In case of a corona infection or a suspicion, ships need to return to the mainland or their home port, rather than to Longyearbyen where health service capacities are very limited.
In case of a corona infection or a suspicion, everybody needs to stay on board until permission to leave the ship is given by relevant authorities.
Cruise ships with an international itinerary need to comply to the requirements to quarantine according to the FHI-map as soon as there is anyone on board who needs to quarantine.
So there is now finally information for tourism and ship-based travelling in Spitsbergen, something we have been waiting for for quite a while now as the season would normally have started weeks ago already. Many ship owners and tour operators have cancelled their arctic summer season already a while ago. For those who still have trips in their schedules, it remains to be seen what will actually be possible.
A lot will obviously depend on the development of the pandemic. If you want to travel to Norway including Spitsbergen, then you’d better come from a “yellow” country and make sure it remains yellow until you have left.
Many tour operators have already cancelled their arctic summer season, but some still maintain some hope at least for the later part of the summer, and there are those who might consider private travelling to 78 degrees north or even a bit further.
If that will be possibe, what and how, remains to be seen. Corona is obviously the factor that is governing all travel-related activities now and for some time in the future, with all the well-known factors such as progress of vaccination programmes, new mutants of the virus, infection rates and so on.
The FHI-map: an important database
Given the current positive development lasts, Norway seems to be opening up stepwise. International tourists are essentially not allowed into the country as of now, with few exceptions depending on the country or region of origin, which is shown on this map of the Norwegian public health institute (FHI). “Yellow” makes travelling an option that can be considered also for tourists, but that applies currently only to parts of Finland as well as Iceland and Greenland.
Vaccinations make travelling easier, Spitsbergen is included
Nevertheless, there is a development that may give international travellers reason to hope:
According to a governmental press release published on Wednesday, fully vaccinated or recovered people may enter Norway again without quarantine from today (Friday, 11 June). That is, however, only for persons who got their vaccinations in Norway or who have their infection with Covid-19 registered in Norway in the last 6 months, but chances are that this may chance when the European digital vaccination certificate system is in operation. Norway has announced to join this system, and we can be curious about Norwegian decisions coming then. Testing upon entering the country remains compulsory.
Spitsbergen is now included in important steps of the easing: as Svalbardposten reports, vaccinated/recovered people who are not required to stay in quarantine (as above) may travel on the Longyearbyen. It was and is not possible to quarantine in Svalbard, so quarantine time has to be done on the mainland, a major obstacle for international travellers. A negative Corona test in Norway within 24 hours before departure to Longyearbyen remains compulsory.
The question of coastal cruises in Spitsbergen waters remains so far open. There is still hope that some cruises may be possible later in the season, possibly only for vaccinated/recovered people.
Corona, getting to Norway Longyearbyen vaccination and testing
One can follow the almost daily news and press releases on travel and quarantine regulations in Norway with some astonishment. The bottomline is currently that the Norwegian government opens for easier access to the country by easing on quarantine – but only for Norwegians. Exceptions from this simple rule are few at the time being. The policy is currently to enable Norwegian travellers to spend at least some of the quarantine time at a place of their own choice, rather than in a quarantine hotel. Corona vaccinations are currently only recognized if applied in Norway, this may change with the introduction of a digital European vaccination certificate.
Spitsbergen has a record-breaking vaccination rate of more than 80 % of the adult population. Nevertheless, frustration is growing in Longyearbyen about being kind of forgotten while the rest of the country is opening up. Despite of the high vaccination rate, Longyearbyen is Norway’s only town which requires testing before you can trave there. This is not a local decision, local authorities seem to be happy to get rid of this testing regime but it is a decision that needs to be taken in Oslo. The obligation to test before travelling to Longyearbyen also apply to immunised (vaccinated or previously infected) people. A rapid test is available at the airport of Oslo Gardermoen for 1195 kroner (near 120 Euro), while a PCR test with result in 1-5 hours comes for 2500 kroner (near 250 Euro) (prices from a supplier at Oslo Gardermoen). In addition comes the challenge of testing while travelling, which may easily add an extra hotel night to one’s schedule.
Something much better
Barentsburg and the view over Grønfjord. Drawn by Edda Maaß, who celebrated her 18th birthday recently, with kind permission. Congratulations!
But one can also just forget all this misery at least for a short while and enjoy something beautiful, such as this drawing made by Edda Maaß who recently filled 18 years. Many readers will know the place 🙂