Finland restricts entry from 7 African countries due to Omicron

Finland on Sunday restricted entry into the country at its external borders for travellers who have been in Botswana, Eswatini, South Africa, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia or Zimbabwe following detection of new variant of coronavirus called Omicron.

The restrictions on the travellers of the seven South African countries during the 14 days prior to their arrival in Finland entered into force from 3:00 pm will continue until 19 December, said the Ministry of the Interior in a press release on Sunday afternoon.

In line with the decision, travellers who have been in one of the above-mentioned African countries will not be able to enter Finland by presenting a certificate of full vaccination against COVID-19.

A person may enter Finland from these countries only if they have an essential reason for doing so, such as compelling family matters or another compelling personal reason.

However, Finnish citizens and permanent residents of Finland may always return to Finland.

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health believes that the new virus variant B.1.1.529 (Omicron) detected in Africa may pose a significant threat to the health and wellbeing of the population and cause the epidemiological situation to deteriorate.

The Ministry and the Regional State Administrative Agencies have instructed municipalities to implement health security measures, i.e. compulsory health examinations for people entering the country.

Municipalities are responsible for health security measures at border crossing points, ports and airports.

There are no direct flights to Finland from Southern Africa. The Border Guard analyses passenger traffic arriving in Finland and provides information to the health authorities.

At Finland’s external borders, the Finnish Border Guard screens passengers from high-risk areas for examination by the health authorities.

The decision entering into force on Sunday does not restrict internal border traffic from Schengen countries.