23rd of July:

Please note the press release on the Government decision on July 23 on continuation of restrictions on traffic at internal and external borders:

(https://vnk.fi/-/hallitus-paatti-sisa-ja-ulkorajaliikennetta-koskevien-rajoitusten-jatkosta?languageId=en_US), including following:

-          The Government decided to reinstate internal border control for traffic between Finland and Austria, Slovenia and Switzerland. These countries have seen an increase in the number of COVID-19 infections since the previous assessment. The reinstated restrictions will enter into force on Monday 27 July.

-          Internal border control will continue for traffic between Finland and Spain, Luxembourg, Portugal, Poland, France, Sweden and the Czech Republic, with the exception of leisure boating, which was previously exempted from internal border control.

-          Restrictions on entry may be lifted for traffic between Finland and countries where the incidence of COVID-19 has not exceeded eight new cases per 100,000 persons in the previous 14 days. Alternatively, the lifting of internal border control and entry restrictions may be considered for countries with a maximum of 10 new cases of the disease per 100,000 persons in the previous 14 days. The Government has previously stated that if necessary, the lifted restrictions may be reinstated if the epidemic situation in a certain country deteriorates significantly.

-          Insofar as internal border control continues, return traffic to Finland, commuting and other essential traffic will be allowed at internal borders. There is currently no internal border control between Finland and Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Greece, Liechtenstein, Malta, Germany, Slovakia and Hungary.

-          On 30 June, the Council of the European Union approved a recommendation on the lifting of restrictions on border traffic for non-EU countries. Traffic between Finland and the countries on the list will be opened up subject to certain restrictions if the number of new infections in the country on the list does not exceed eight per 100,000 persons during the previous fourteen days.

-          The countries that currently meet this criterion are South Korea, Georgia, Japan, China, Rwanda, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay and New Zealand. Since 13 July, travel for work and other essential traffic between Finland and these countries has been permitted for people living in these countries. From 27 July onwards, traffic between Finland and these countries will be allowed without restrictions. However, as far as China is concerned, the Council of the European Union must confirm the adequate implementation of reciprocity in line with its recommendation.

-          In the case of residents of Algeria and Australia, the restrictions on external border traffic were eased on 13 July, but according to the latest epidemiological assessment, the countries no longer fulfil the criterion set by the Government. Restrictions on external border traffic between Finland and Algeria and Australia will therefore be tightened again.

-          Restrictions on external border traffic have previously been lifted for traffic between Finland and Andorra, Cyprus, Ireland, San Marino and the Vatican. Traffic between Finland and these non-Schengen countries is allowed without restrictions.

-          The decisions made today will remain in force until 25 August. The Government will reassess the need for and extent of the restrictions on entry in approximately two weeks based on the epidemiological situation.

The Finnish Border Guard clarifies more the changes to restrictions on border traffic from 27 July:

https://www.raja.fi/current_issues/facts/news_from_the_border_guard/1/0/changes_to_restrictions_on_border_traffic_from_27_july_80208

08th of July:

In its meeting, the Government agreed that as of 13 July, the internal border control would be lifted for the following countries in the Schengen area: the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Austria, Greece, Malta, Germany, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.  The restrictions would also be lifted for external border traffic with Cyprus, Ireland, Andorra, San Marino and the Vatican.

In June, the internal border control was lifted for Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

As of 13 July, travel between Finland and Algeria, Australia, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay and China would also be permitted for work and other essential purposes for residents of these countries, with similar restrictions as travel at internal borders.

The Government will continue to assess the overall situation and review its decisions approximately every two weeks.

On 10 July 2020, the updated guidelines of the Finnish Border Guard on border traffic at the internal and external Schengen borders of Finland (applicable as of 13 July 2020) will be available on the website of the Border Guard at https://www.raja.fi/current_issues/guidelines_for_border_traffic

25th of June:

https://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/-/10616/hallitus-linjasi-neuvottelussaan-rajakysymyksista-etatyosta-ja-yli-70-vuotiaita-koskevista-suosituksista

Government updates policies on border issues, remote working and recommendations for persons over 70 years of age

4th of May:

Please note the following press release about the Government decision on an action plan for a hybrid strategy to manage coronavirus crisis and for gradual lifting of restrictions: https://vnk.fi/en/article/-/asset_publisher/hallitus-linjasi-suunnitelmasta-koronakriisin-hallinnan-hybridistrategiaksi-ja-rajoitusten-vaiheittaisesta-purkamisesta.

-          As of 14 May 2020, the statutory restrictions on border traffic will be lifted in cross-border traffic across the Schengen internal borders by allowing employment or commission-related commuting and other essential traffic.

-          For the time being, recreational travel abroad is not recommended, and the travel advice issued by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs will be extended accordingly. The Ministry of the Interior will draft more specific guidelines on the gradual opening of border traffic. Finland considers it important that the lifting of the restrictions on border traffic be coordinated at the EU level. However, the Government continues to recommend that all unnecessary travel, such as leisure travel, be avoided for the time being.

-          Restrictions on gatherings are still necessary. Based on an epidemiological assessment, it will be possible to ease the restrictions on the number of persons from the current 10 to a maximum of 50 from 1 June until further notice. The situation will be reviewed again by the end of June.

-          Large public events with more than 500 people are prohibited until 31 July 2020 in line with the Government's decision.

Please note that recommendations to stay in quarantine-like conditions for two weeks after arrival in Finland, all of which concern also members of missions, will continue to be in force until further notice. Details of the border formalities after 14 May will be announced later, after the government meeting on May 7.

15th of April:

Government of Finland decided to lift the restrictions on movement in Uusimaa

https://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/article/-/asset_publisher/10616/xx-1

However, the Government continues to recommend that all unnecessary travel, such as leisure travel, be avoided for the time being.

Other measures and restrictions, such as the restrictions on border crossings, limitations on public gatherings and recommendations to stay in quarantine-like conditions for two weeks after arrival in Finland, all of which concern also members of missions, will continue to be in force until further notice.

Please note also the attached guidelines of 8 April 2020 of the Finnish Border Guard. The guidelines base on the latest decision made by the Government of Finland to continue and further restrict  the traffic at internal and external borders of Finland (re: https://intermin.fi/en/article/-/asset_publisher/suomen-rajaliikenteen-rajoituksia-jatketaan-ja-karanteenimaarayksia-tiukennetaan).

Guidelines for border traffic April 2020

8th of April:

Please note the current press releases about the new restrictions on border crossings:

-          https://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/article/-/asset_publisher/10616/hallitus-linjasi-rajaliikenteen-tiukennuksista-ruotsin-ja-norjan-vastaisella-rajalla-ahvenanmaan-sairaanhoito-turvataan

-          https://intermin.fi/en/article/-/asset_publisher/suomen-rajaliikenteen-rajoituksia-jatketaan-ja-karanteenimaarayksia-tiukennetaan.

As mentioned in the circular note of March 31, the restrictions on border traffic will continue until May 13 and will also be tightened (for the latest circular notes: https://um.fi/circular-notes). The passenger traffic on ships will be restricted to minimum (please follow the information provided by the shipping companies). However, air traffic between Tallinn and Helsinki will continue again after Easter holidays.

31st March: Kindly see the circular note: https://um.fi/circular-notes, including information on extension of the current restrictions until 13 May 2020 and to introduce some additional restrictions in order to slow down the spread of coronavirus infections in Finland.

 

Border traffic will continue to be restricted at the internal and external borders of Finland until 13 May 2020.

 

The Government also decided to begin preparing tighter limits to traffic at the national borders in the north and west, and to terminate the carriage of passengers in sea transport, with the exception of goods and freight transport.

Additional information:

https://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/current-issues/press-releases

https://vnk.fi/en/article/-/asset_publisher/ulkomailta-saapuvien-kontrolli-tiukentuu

Movement restrictions to and from Uusimaa region in Finland as from 27 March until 19 April 2020

See: https://um.fi/circular-notes that includes information on the movement restrictions to and from Uusimaa region in Finland as from 27 March until 19 April 2020 subject to the decision of the Parliament on the 26th of March. Further information is available on the website of the Government of Finland:

https://vnk.fi/en/article/-/asset_publisher/uudellemaalle-liikkumisrajoituksia-hallitus-paatti-uusista-lisatoimista-koronaepidemian-leviamisen-estamiseksi.

So, after the entry into force of the movement restrictions, the residents of Uusimaa must stay in the Uusimaa region. The restrictions do not apply to movement within Uusimaa. Residents of other regions are not allowed to visit Uusimaa. However, the foreigners who return to their home country via Helsinki-Vantaa Airport or Ports of Helsinki from outside Uusimaa region are permitted to exit via Uusimaa.  Please note that the person must be able to prove his/her intention to leave Finland (eg. by a ticket or other reliable document). In this case, the reason for travelling should be transit for leaving the country.

For your information a press release of the National Police Board: https://www.poliisi.fi/about_the_police/press_releases/1/0/restrictions_on_movement_to_be_introduced_in_uusimaa_-_police_urge_everyone_to_do_their_best_to_prevent_the_spread_of_coronavirus_88867.

Information on traffic restrictions at the Finnish borders as from 19 March 2020

Finland has closed its borders and suspended travel to Finland until 13 April 2020. This applies to everyone except Finnish citizens and foreigners with permanent residence in Finland.

COVID-19 Coronavirus: Guidance for travelers to Finland

Further information is available on the website of the Government of Finland at https://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/frontpage and on the website of the Finnish Border Guard at https://www.raja.fi/en

Circular Note Covernment decision 180320

Translation Gov decision

Border Guard guidelines 180320

Memorandum

Useful links:

https://vnk.fi/en/frontpage (Prime Minister’s Office)

https://thl.fi/en/web/thlfi-en (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare)

https://www.finavia.fi/en/airports/helsinki-airport (Helsinki-Vantaa Airport)

https://www.raja.fi/en (The Finnish Border Guard)

https://www.hel.fi/helsinki/en (Website of the City of Helsinki)

https://www.poliisi.fi/coronavirus_info (Police)

https://intermin.fi/en/frontpage (Ministry of the Interior)