The interior minister tweeted on Wednesday Krista Mikkonen (Green) said the government will meet on Thursday to plan tougher entry restrictions at the country’s borders.
The Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) wants to avoid an exacerbation of the epidemic in countries like Norway and Denmark, and has suggested that newcomers be required to provide proof of a recent negative Covid test, even if they are fully vaccinated.
Minister for Family and Basic Services on Tuesday night Krista Kiuru, said there are other proposals underway to slow the spread of the new coronavirus Omicron. But these proposals were less stringent than those of the health agency.
Kiuru said arrivals from Denmark, Norway and the UK – where coronavirus infections are high – would be required to be inspected for Covid on arrival.
The government is due to decide on Thursday whether those arriving from outside the EU and Schengen area will be required to test for a recent negative Covid test.
THL: Does country-by-country inspections make sense?
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has sent instructions to municipalities at border crossing points on testing rules and the countries of arrival affected.
According to a statement sent by THL to Yle, at least Nigeria, Denmark and possibly the United Kingdom and Norway are on the list. At the same time, Sweden would also be included, as travel to and from Denmark is so common and common that the Omicron variant is believed to have spread to Sweden as well.
However, THL also questioned whether it no longer made sense to monitor those from individual countries.
According to the agency, up to 13,000 passengers currently arrive at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport every day and that it would not be possible to extend on-site testing to arrivals from Nigeria, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Norway and Sweden due to lack of resources.
Instead, THL suggested that all arrivals have a negative Covid test certificate issued within 48 hours of arrival. According to the statement, there are permanent residents and citizens who would be tested after entry.
Source: The Nordic Page