Finland is once again imposing border controls against all other Schengen Member States, according to an announcement made by the Finnish Ministry of Interior.
The border controls will be effective from 28 December 2021at 15:00 Finnish time and will remain in effect until 16 January 2022, unless they are extended.
The border controls will include the requirement to show proof of full vaccination against Covid-19 or proof of recovery within the last 6 months, in addition to proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 48 hours of arriving in Finland.
These controls will apply to all Schengen Member States and are presumably the result of worries about the new, milder but more infectious Omicron variant of Covid-19.
“Internal border control will be reinstated for traffic between Finland and all Schengen countries. In addition, entry restrictions and health security measures will be tightened so that from Tuesday 28 December onwards, all passengers arriving in Finland from abroad will be required to present proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or proof of recovery from COVID-19 within the past six months, along with a certificate of a negative COVID-19 test taken less than 48 hours prior to arrival,” the announcement reads.
These requirements apply to anyone born before 2005, or before 2006 after the New Year comes.
There are, however, exceptions for people living in border communities along Finland’s land borders with Norway and Sweden, the Swedish municipality of Norrtälje, or the province of Åland. People coming to Finland from these places or other border communities can enter with full proof of vaccination, proof of recovery within the last 6 months, or proof of a negative Covid-19 test.
Finnish citizens, foreigners with permanent residency in Finland, or people with an essential reason for entry are also exempt from taking a Covid test before arrival.
To read the Ministry of Interior’s announcement, click this link.
