Southeastern Finland’s border crossings have reported a slight increase in traffic over the weekend as Russia waived Covid restrictions.
Since Friday, the number of crossings has increased by about 10 percent. On both Saturday and Sunday, around 7,000-8,000 people crossed the border from Russia to Finland.
About 80 percent of those who crossed were Russian citizens.
Most of the visitors came to shop, visit real estate or spend their vacation at the spa.
"Everything has gone well and there have been no problems" Kimmo GromoffThe head of the Southeastern Finland Border Guard told Yle on Monday.
Lieutenant Otto JuuselaThe deputy head of the Imatra border inspection station pointed out that alcohol may not be taken across the border in either direction and added that the customs authorities have confiscated alcoholic beverages.
No major anomalies
"We have questioned Finnish border crossers, but they have said that there have been no major anomalies. According to them, they have received good service from the Russian border guard," Juusela said.
During the pandemic, approximately 1,000–2,000 crossings per day were recorded at border crossing points in Southeast Finland.
This level is still far from the peak years of 2012-17, when up to 30,000 people crossed the limit per day.
The Border Guard did not agree to speculate on the number of border crossings in the future.
"time will tell" Juusela said.
On Friday morning, Russia announced the removal of Covid restrictions on land border traffic.
Source: The Nordic Page
