The Finnish government has decided to make changes to restrictions on external border traffic based on Covid-19 incidence rates, as the epidemic continues to spread vigorously in many parts of the world.
The Helsinki government adopted a decision on the matter on 5 August. The decision will enter into force on 9 August and will remain in force until 22 August. However, people may still enter Finland from all countries upon presenting an approved certificate of a full vaccine course.
External border traffic refers to traffic between Finland and non-Schengen third countries. From 8 August, the previous decision from 15 July will be amended so that the restrictions on entry will be lifted for Ukrainian residents arriving in Finland in traffic from Ukraine.
By contrast, restrictions on entry will be reinstated for residents of Azerbaijan, South Korea, Japan, Moldova, Serbia and Singapore.
If a person arriving from these countries has not received a full vaccine course, the accepted reasons for entry are return travel to Finland, return travel to other EU or Schengen countries, transit on regular, scheduled flights at an airport or other essential travel.
Free to come if vaccinated
In line with the government decision from 15 July, people are free to come to Finland from all countries upon presenting an approved certificate of a full vaccine course.
For these cases, the full vaccination course has to be completed at least 14 days prior to arrival. A list of approved vaccines is available on the website of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
However, people arriving in Finland in external border traffic must take into account that a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 is an acceptable justification for entry into the country only for citizens of the EU and Schengen countries and for people residing in an EU or Schengen country.
