EU extends Finland’s COVID-19 derogations until 31 Oct

The European Commission has approved Finland’s application to extend the derogations adopted due to the COVID-19 epidemic for professional qualifications in road transport and for maritime safety and security.

The derogations will continue until 31 October 2021, said the Ministry of Transport and Communications in a press release on Monday.

In road transport, the derogations apply to the professional qualification requirements for a lorry, bus or coach driver.

In maritime transport, the extensions apply to the deadlines of security assessments and drills of port facilities.

In railway transport, the Commission did not approve the application concerning train driver’s licence and complementary certificate, railway operator's licence, temporary licence and safety certificate as well as to safety licence of rail infrastructure managers.

The European Commission's decision will be published in the Official Journal of the EU in August, the press release added.