What does the Government resolution on the hybrid strategy for cross-border traffic and travel involve?

On 11 September, the Government adopted a resolution on the implementation of a hybrid strategy for cross-border traffic and travel. This strategy includes an operating model in which restrictions on the entry of passengers arriving from the EU and Schengen countries and countries on the EU’s Green List are replaced with health security measures. The health security measures required depend on whether the country of origin has a low or a high incidence of COVID-19. Countries of higher incidence include those where the incidence of coronavirus exceeds 25 cases/100,000 persons in a period of 14 days. The operating model adopted in the resolution will be introduced by 23 November 2020. The Government also made a decision on 11 September regarding restrictions on border traffic for the period from 19 September to 18 October 2020. Starting from 19 September, restrictions on entry may be lifted for those EU and Schengen countries and countries on the EU’s Green List where the incidence of COVID-19 does not exceed 25. If the incidence rate in the country of origin is higher than 25, travel to Finland is not permitted, certain exceptional categories of persons excluded. Internal border control will continue until the new testing-based approach is introduced by 23 November. On 7 January 2021, the Government decided to extend the restrictions until 9.2.2021. The Government decision on border traffic restrictions for the period from 19 September to 18 October 2020 is therefore a step towards the operating model set out in the resolution. However, the introduction of a testing-based operating model requires legislative amendments and measures to ensure health security, which is why the model will be gradually phased in. The gradual introduction also involves transitional procedures to be introduced alongside entry restrictions for the period from 1 October to 22 November 2020. These procedures concern the recommended health security measures. During the transition period, prior testing is recommended for persons arriving from EU and Schengen countries subject to internal border control, for those arriving from Green List countries with a higher incidence, and for those arriving from third countries for essential reasons. Residents of Finland returning from countries with higher incidence rates may, at their discretion, shorten their period of self-isolation by taking a test as soon as they arrive in Finland, followed by a second test after 72 hours at the earliest. This will ease the conditions for essential travel for work.

From which countries and under what conditions is travel to Finland permitted?

Border traffic restrictions 19 September – 18 October 2020 Travel to Finland is permitted from all EU countries and the Schengen area as well as from countries on the EU’s Green List, provided that the incidence of COVID-19 in the country of origin does not exceed 25. This applies to both group tours and independent travel. Travellers must comply with general health security guidelines. The list of countries will be reviewed on a weekly basis and updated as necessary. Transitional model from 1 October to 22 November During the transition period, travel to Finland is permitted from all EU countries and the Schengen area as well as from countries on the EU’s Green List, provided that the incidence of COVID-19 in the country of origin does not exceed 25. This applies to both group tours and independent travel. Travellers must comply with general health security guidelines. The list of countries will be reviewed on a weekly basis and updated as necessary. If the incidence rate in a country on the EU’s green list is higher than 25, the same travel restrictions apply as to third countries. Travel from third countries to Finland is permitted only for essential reasons. On 7 January 2021, the Government decided to extend the restrictions until 9.2.2021 . New testing-based model effective from 23 November 2020 The new operating model permits independent travel and group tours from EU and Schengen countries and countries on the EU’s Green List. If the incidence rate in the country of origin exceeds 25 and the tour lasts 72 hours or less, travellers, with certain exceptional categories, would be required to show a negative COVID-19 test certificate issued less than 72 hours before their arrival in the country. Finnish citizens and permanent residents of Finland would not be required to show a test certificate when returning to Finland. For tours lasting more than 72 hours, passengers will be required to take a second test no earlier than 72 hours after entry into the country. The conditions for testing are the same for all passengers arriving from EU countries, the Schengen area and from countries on the EU’s Green List. Restrictions on border traffic in Finland on the Border Guard website Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare traffic light model: assessment of the current risk of coronavirus infection in different countries Country-specific travel advice on the website of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs

How often is data regarding the incidence of COVID-19 in different countries updated?

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare assesses the classification of countries and regions in the categories of lower and higher incidence on a weekly basis.

Where can I find the list of coronavirus incidence? Can I keep track of the situation in real time?

The list of countries and regions in the categories of lower and higher incidence is available on the website of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.

Is leisure travel in groups permitted?

Restrictions on border traffic are the same irrespective of whether you travel alone or in a group. Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment

Are individual leisure travellers allowed to enter in the country?

Restrictions on border traffic are the same irrespective of whether you travel alone or in a group. Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment

Will travel restrictions be imposed on ferry services between Estonia and Finland based on incidence rate?

To ease the conditions for work and other daily interaction between border communities, travel without a test certificate or quarantine requirement will be permitted in ferry traffic to Estonia, as long as the disease situation remains roughly equivalent, regardless of the incidence limit of 25. As for other travel, border control will be replaced with health security measures, cf. “From which countries and under what conditions is travel to Finland permitted?”

Who is responsible for the costs of testing in the country of origin?

A test is considered a precondition for entry into Finland from countries with a higher incidence (incidence higher than 25/100,000/14 days) once the relevant legislative amendment has entered into force. As concerns the second test, the model will be introduced by 23 November 2020. Finland will not be responsible for the costs of testing in the country of origin. Instead, responsibility for these costs may rest with either the traveller or the employer.

For a stay longer than 72 hours, a second test is required. Who is responsible for the costs of the second test that Finland requires?

So far, no decision has been made in the matter. The matter is discussed in conjunction with preparations for the introduction of the two-test model and related health security measures, which include increased and reallocated testing resources.

When will the hybrid model for border traffic come into force?

The hybrid model for border traffic will be introduced once all relevant legislative amendments have entered into force. Amendments will be required to laws such as the Act on Transport Services. The requirement of testing before entry into Finland must be laid down in an act. The model including this requirement will be introduced by 23 November 2020. A model for the transition period will enter into force on 1 October 2020. On 7 January 2021, the Government decided to extend the restrictions until 9.2.2021.

How long will the hybrid model for border traffic be in force?

If the epidemiological situation changes significantly, the Government will reassess the resolution.

How does the new model for border traffic affect the operations of companies?

The new model will facilitate the operations of export companies and companies that depend on foreign labour. Business and industry representatives have expressed concerns about the effects of border traffic restrictions and the quarantine recommendations on business activities.

How will the model affect work-related travel in practice?

For work-related travel of less than three days, quarantine is not required if the traveller can produce a negative coronavirus test on arrival in Finland. For longer stays, travellers can get tested a second time to shorten the 14-day quarantine. The second test should be taken no earlier than 72 hours after entry into the country. If the second test is also negative, the quarantine may be discontinued. Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment

Why is a special group procedure needed?

Due to the coronavirus situation, restrictions on border traffic from countries with a higher incidence of COVID-19 cases will continue. The special group procedure permits an exception to the conditions of entry for justified reasons. Justified reasons include carrying out tasks necessary to secure the recovery, new growth or long-term operating conditions of a certain sector. The special group procedure applies to key persons in business and industry, culture or sports. Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment

How can employers or inviting organisations initiate the special group procedure?

To start the special group procedure, you need to fill in an application providing the reasons why an exception should be made to the conditions of entry. A health security plan is also required. Applications relating to special groups should be sent by email directly to the Finnish Border Guard (rajavartiolaitos@raja.fi). The applications must include justification regarding the national significance of the activities and the reasons why other procedures cannot be observed as well as the procedures that will be used to ensure the implementation of health security. The employer or other such party inviting the person or persons to enter the country must present them with a health security action plan that complies with the national instructions, and when needed the local communicable disease authorities should be consulted. The applications are sent from the Finnish Border Guard to both the relevant government ministries and also the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare or the local health authority, who then issue a statement on them. After receiving the statement, the Finnish Border Guard will prepare a policy concerning the necessity of entry to Finland and inform the applicant of that policy. However, the final decision on entry to the country is made during the border check. Questions and answers about the effects of COVID-19 on border traffic on The Finnish Border Guard's website

Questions and answers: Coronavirus and travel to Finland

On 11 September, the Government adopted a resolution on the implementation of a hybrid strategy for cross-border traffic and travel. This strategy includes an operating model in which restrictions on the entry of passengers arriving from the EU and Schengen countries and countries on the EU’s Green List are replaced with health security measures. The health security measures required depend on whether the country of origin has a low or a high incidence of COVID-19. Countries of higher incidence include those where the incidence of coronavirus exceeds 25 cases/100,000 persons in a period of 14 days. The operating model adopted in the resolution will be introduced by 23 November 2020.

The Government also made a decision on 11 September regarding restrictions on border traffic for the period from 19 September to 18 October 2020. Starting from 19 September, restrictions on entry may be lifted for those EU and Schengen countries and countries on the EU’s Green List where the incidence of COVID-19 does not exceed 25. If the incidence rate in the country of origin is higher than 25, travel to Finland is not permitted, certain exceptional categories of persons excluded. Internal border control will continue until the new testing-based approach is introduced by 23 November.

On 7 January 2021, the Government decided to extend the restrictions until 9.2.2021.

The Government decision on border traffic restrictions for the period from 19 September to 18 October 2020 is therefore a step towards the operating model set out in the resolution. However, the introduction of a testing-based operating model requires legislative amendments and measures to ensure health security, which is why the model will be gradually phased in.

The gradual introduction also involves transitional procedures to be introduced alongside entry restrictions for the period from 1 October to 22 November 2020. These procedures concern the recommended health security measures.

During the transition period, prior testing is recommended for persons arriving from EU and Schengen countries subject to internal border control, for those arriving from Green List countries with a higher incidence, and for those arriving from third countries for essential reasons. Residents of Finland returning from countries with higher incidence rates may, at their discretion, shorten their period of self-isolation by taking a test as soon as they arrive in Finland, followed by a second test after 72 hours at the earliest. This will ease the conditions for essential travel for work.
Border traffic restrictions 19 September – 18 October 2020

Travel to Finland is permitted from all EU countries and the Schengen area as well as from countries on the EU’s Green List, provided that the incidence of COVID-19 in the country of origin does not exceed 25. This applies to both group tours and independent travel. Travellers must comply with general health security guidelines. The list of countries will be reviewed on a weekly basis and updated as necessary.

Transitional model from 1 October to 22 November

During the transition period, travel to Finland is permitted from all EU countries and the Schengen area as well as from countries on the EU’s Green List, provided that the incidence of COVID-19 in the country of origin does not exceed 25. This applies to both group tours and independent travel. Travellers must comply with general health security guidelines. The list of countries will be reviewed on a weekly basis and updated as necessary.

If the incidence rate in a country on the EU’s green list is higher than 25, the same travel restrictions apply as to third countries. Travel from third countries to Finland is permitted only for essential reasons.

On 7 January 2021, the Government decided to extend the restrictions until 9.2.2021.

New testing-based model effective from 23 November 2020

The new operating model permits independent travel and group tours from EU and Schengen countries and countries on the EU’s Green List.

If the incidence rate in the country of origin exceeds 25 and the tour lasts 72 hours or less, travellers, with certain exceptional categories, would be required to show a negative COVID-19 test certificate issued less than 72 hours before their arrival in the country. Finnish citizens and permanent residents of Finland would not be required to show a test certificate when returning to Finland.

For tours lasting more than 72 hours, passengers will be required to take a second test no earlier than 72 hours after entry into the country.

The conditions for testing are the same for all passengers arriving from EU countries, the Schengen area and from countries on the EU’s Green List.

Restrictions on border traffic in Finland on the Border Guard website

Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare traffic light model: assessment of the current risk of coronavirus infection in different countries

Country-specific travel advice on the website of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs
To ease the conditions for work and other daily interaction between border communities, travel without a test certificate or quarantine requirement will be permitted in ferry traffic to Estonia, as long as the disease situation remains roughly equivalent, regardless of the incidence limit of 25.

As for other travel, border control will be replaced with health security measures, cf. “From which countries and under what conditions is travel to Finland permitted?”
A test is considered a precondition for entry into Finland from countries with a higher incidence (incidence higher than 25/100,000/14 days) once the relevant legislative amendment has entered into force. As concerns the second test, the model will be introduced by 23 November 2020. Finland will not be responsible for the costs of testing in the country of origin. Instead, responsibility for these costs may rest with either the traveller or the employer.
The hybrid model for border traffic will be introduced once all relevant legislative amendments have entered into force. Amendments will be required to laws such as the Act on Transport Services. The requirement of testing before entry into Finland must be laid down in an act. The model including this requirement will be introduced by 23 November 2020.

A model for the transition period will enter into force on 1 October 2020.

On 7 January 2021, the Government decided to extend the restrictions until 9.2.2021.
For work-related travel of less than three days, quarantine is not required if the traveller can produce a negative coronavirus test on arrival in Finland. For longer stays, travellers can get tested a second time to shorten the 14-day quarantine. The second test should be taken no earlier than 72 hours after entry into the country. If the second test is also negative, the quarantine may be discontinued.

Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment

Updated 30.9.2020 at 11.52
Due to the coronavirus situation, restrictions on border traffic from countries with a higher incidence of COVID-19 cases will continue. The special group procedure permits an exception to the conditions of entry for justified reasons. Justified reasons include carrying out tasks necessary to secure the recovery, new growth or long-term operating conditions of a certain sector. The special group procedure applies to key persons in business and industry, culture or sports.

Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment

Updated 30.9.2020 at 11.48
To start the special group procedure, you need to fill in an application providing the reasons why an exception should be made to the conditions of entry. A health security plan is also required.

Applications relating to special groups should be sent by email directly to the Finnish Border Guard ([email protected]).

The applications must include justification regarding the national significance of the activities and the reasons why other procedures cannot be observed as well as the procedures that will be used to ensure the implementation of health security. The employer or other such party inviting the person or persons to enter the country must present them with a health security action plan that complies with the national instructions, and when needed the local communicable disease authorities should be consulted.

The applications are sent from the Finnish Border Guard to both the relevant government ministries and also the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare or the local health authority, who then issue a statement on them. After receiving the statement, the Finnish Border Guard will prepare a policy concerning the necessity of entry to Finland and inform the applicant of that policy. However, the final decision on entry to the country is made during the border check.

Questions and answers about the effects of COVID-19 on border traffic on The Finnish Border Guard's website

Updated 25.9.2020 at 11.26