Government tightens travel restrictions at internal and external borders

In its negotiations yesterday on 18 August, the Government decided on border traffic restrictions. Restrictions on internal and external border traffic will be reinstated based on an epidemiological assessment.

Internal border control will be reinstated for traffic between Finland and Iceland, Greece, Malta, Germany, Norway and Denmark. 

Traffic across border crossing points between Finland and Sweden and between Finland and Norway will be permitted between local border communities, even though Sweden and Norway exceed the limit values set by the Government for the incidence of the disease. Although the European Commission has emphasised the equal treatment of Member States in the epidemic, an exception can be made with regard to local border communities.  

The 14-day incidence rate in Italy, Lithuania, Slovakia and Estonia exceeds the limit value 8 but is currently (on 15 August 2020) below 10. Internal border control will therefore not be reinstated for traffic between Finland and these countries. 

Restrictions on external border traffic

Restrictions on external border traffic will be reinstated for traffic into Finland from Ireland, Cyprus and San Marino, as well as to Japanese residents in traffic arriving in Finland from Japan.
All decisions regarding border traffic will enter into force on Monday 24 August.

Notice regarding flights from Skopje

During its negotiations, the Government was also informed of restrictions on flights arriving from Skopje in North Macedonia. Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom) is independently preparing a decision on the possible suspension of flights and will inform about its decision. 

The Government was also briefed on the current epidemiological situation and provided an overview of testing.

Appendices
Development of the COVID-19 epidemic, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, 18 August 2020

Inquiries: 
Citizens' questions regarding border traffic