The Finnish government has decided that the restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic will remain effective for another month.
According to a press release regarding the government’s session held yesterday, the authority has decided it will maintain current restrictions until June 5 to protect public health while incidence rates with COVID-19 in the country have reached 14,937.
More specifically, the restrictions include the requirements of presenting a vaccination certificate indicating the holder has been fully vaccinated against the virus, or a recovery certificate, proving the holder is immune to the virus for 180 days after obtaining the document. The requirement applies to all arrivals over 16 coming from outside the EU and Schengen area.
Others can enter the country by presenting a PCR test performed 72 hours before arrival, or if the traveller has none of these documents, they should expect to be directed to a COVID-19 testing point at the entry. Health authorities carry out health inspections on a risk-based basis.
However, specific categories coming from third countries are exempted from such requirements, such as Finnish citizens arriving from a third country, Finnish residents, or arrivals reaching the country for essential tourism, which can be a family matter or other personal reason.
“Entry is also allowed without restrictions for residents of EU Green List countries and territories. Green list countries are countries in a sufficiently good disease situation. The Council of the European Union has decided to allow free travel within the EU,” the press release explains.
Finland is one of the countries with the highest vaccination rates in the EU, as 78.3 per cent of the population is vaccinated with the primary course. In comparison, 52.9 per cent has been administered the additional booster shot, as the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) data shows.
