Refugee influx drops during coronavirus epidemic

The number of asylum applications has reduced significantly during the coronavirus epidemic, according to a press release issued by the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) on Thursday.

For the time being, no asylum applications have been submitted at Finnish borders after the restrictions on border traffic came into force on 19 March.

A total of 36 new asylum applications have been submitted to Migri since 19 March to 5 April.

The applicants have already been residing in Finland before the restrictions on entry into the country came into force due to the coronavirus epidemic.

The date of arrival and the travel route of two applicants are still under examination through asylum investigation.

So far, the release said, a total of 460 first asylum applications have been submitted in 2020. A total of 185 of the new applicants were submitted in January, 135 in February, and 131 in March.

Migri will process the asylum applications already submitted despite the current exceptional situation.

Asylum interviews have been temporarily interrupted since 16 March. Interviews will be continued from next week on a limited basis.

“We will primarily interview the most urgent clients, such as those in a vulnerable position,” said Migri Director of Asylum Unit Antti Lehtinen.