Congestion is expected on Finland’s land border with Sweden as the country prepares to impose stricter entry restrictions.
From 00.01 to 6 February, passengers must present evidence of a negative coronavirus test up to 48 hours old.
The border crossing point between Tornio and Haparanda was congested on Thursday night when Finns rushed to visit Sweden before the mandatory testing system came into force.
"I estimate that there was 30 percent more traffic than in previous days. The queue perhaps extended from the border almost to the Haparanda roundabout," said the lieutenant Jari Rantala From the Coast Guard of Western Finland.
The new restrictions do not apply to Swedish citizens or foreigners living in Sweden, nor to people belonging to several other exempt groups.
Although the Swedish government decided to reduce the spread of the coronavirus in Sweden, the restrictions are also expected to have a positive effect on the amount of infection on the Finnish side of the border.
Latest information European Center for Disease Prevention and Control showed that the number of coronavirus infections in Sweden was about 429 cases per 100,000 people, while Finland accounted for 93 cases per 100,000 people.
EU advice The Swedish Government (link in Swedish) on Wednesday released details of which passengers can be exempted from the need to show a coronavirus test result.
They contain:
- People with an urgent family or humanitarian need to travel
- People who transport goods or work in the transport industry in the healthcare industry
- People receiving surgery or other emergency health care in Sweden
- People crossing the border for reindeer husbandry.
The Western Finland Coast Guard, which monitors the Tornio border crossing, said that the traffic at the border crossing went early on Friday morning.
11:57: Updated offer