Finland resumes entry restrictions for Poland, Lithuania, San Marino

The government on Thursday reintroduced entry restrictions for Lithuania, Poland, and San Marino in the wake of the increasing trend of the coronavirus outbreak.

The government adopted the decision on restrictions on entry into the country, which will enter into force on 5 October, said the social affairs and health ministry and the interior ministry in a joint press release.

The decision applies the limit value of a maximum of 25 new cases of the disease per 100,000 persons in the previous 14 days.

The release said, “Differences in the epidemiological situation in Finland and other European countries, as well as the new acceleration in the spread of infections, require internal border controls to remain in place until the new health security measures are made available to the extent necessary.

Internal border traffic refers to traffic between Finland and other Schengen countries. Starting from 5 October, entry into Finland from Latvia and Liechtenstein will not be restricted.

As a result of the government’s decision, restrictions on internal border traffic will be in force from 5 October for traffic between Finland and Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland, apart from certain exceptions.

Day-to-day travel will still be permitted for local border communities at Finland's land borders with Sweden and Norway. People will be able to come to work in Finland from Sweden and Estonia without a 14-day self-isolation period. Leisure boating from the EU and Schengen countries to Finland will not be restricted either.

At the internal borders, restrictions on entry allow only return traffic to Finland, transit traffic, work-related travel, and travel for other essential reasons, apart from the above-mentioned exceptions.

External border traffic refers to traffic between Finland and non-Schengen countries. Starting from 5 October, restrictions on external border traffic will be lifted only for traffic arriving in Finland from Cyprus and the Vatican, and for traffic between Finland and Australia, Japan, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, New Zealand, and Uruguay for residents of these countries.

In addition, people may come to Finland from the following European countries for work or another essential reason: Andorra, Bulgaria, Croatia, Ireland, Monaco, Romania, San Marino, and the United Kingdom. A 14-day period of self-isolation is recommended for travellers arriving in Finland. Travellers can shorten their self-isolation period at their discretion if they take two voluntary COVID-19 tests.

For all other non-Schengen countries, restrictions on entry allow only return traffic to Finland and other EU and Schengen countries, transit traffic at Helsinki Airport and other essential traffic. In addition, a 14-day period of self-isolation is recommended for travellers arriving in Finland. Travellers can shorten their self-isolation period at their discretion if they take two voluntary COVID-19 tests.