Finland Extends Its Entry Restrictions Until April 17

On March 11, the Finnish Government decided to extend the country’s entry restrictions until April 17, 2021.

Internal border checks and external border restrictions will precede to be active to contain the spread of new virus variants. The decision will be effective from March 19, 2021.

Commenting on the prolongation of COVID-19 entry measures, Finland’s Ministry of Interior said that they would keep the restrictions against all Schengen Area countries, except for Iceland, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reports.

On the other hand, Finland has lifted its restrictions for Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore, and Thailand residents. Restrictions have also been lifted for residents of Rwanda.

The Ministry announced that opening hours of border crossing points are restricted as well. The western and eastern border crossing points in Lapland are limited with the purpose of centralizing the border crossing during the day and evening in order to make sure that there is a sufficient amount of health authorities at the border.

Furthermore, the Ministry explained that all persons who cross the Finnish borders would have to take a Coronavirus test if they do not have any negative test evidence.

Border restrictions will not be applied for people carrying goods or essential passenger assistance by justifying their movement outside the opening hours.

Except for the decision made about Lapland’s crossing points, Finland’s Ministry of Interior decided to restrict the border crossing points in Ylitornio and Varties on February 18, 2021.

The Government also recommended avoiding non-essential travel abroad unless the destination country has lifted the restrictions. However, all Finnish citizens and their family members have the right to return to Finland even during the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Finnish Border Guard (RAJA) announced exceptions to opening hours of border crossing points, which are as follows:

• The land border crossing points between Finland and Norway are open for passenger traffic from 9 am to 9 pm (Finnish time).
• The land border crossing points of Karesuvanto, Kolari, Muonio, and Pello between Finland and Sweden are open for passenger traffic from 7 am to 9 pm. The border crossing points at Ylitornio and Tornio are available 24 hours a day.
• The border crossing point of Niirala is open for passenger traffic from 9 am to 8 pm.
• The border crossing points of Nuijamaa and Vaalimaa are open for passenger traffic from 7 am to 9:30 pm.

The exceptions to the opening hours of border crossing points do not affect the traffic of goods.

Earlier in February, Finland turned down a call of the European Commission to ease the restrictions by insisting that the current restrictions are imposed in a bid to halt the further spread of the COVID-19 outbreak and its new variants in the country.

Finland has registered 64,609 Coronavirus cases, 776 deaths, 46,000 citizens have been recovered, and 17,883 cases are currently active.