Finland extends border controls until May 13

Viking Line Abp

07/04/2020 08:20

HELSINKI, April 7 (Reuters) - Finland's government on
Tuesday extended and tightened border controls restricting
travel to and from the country until May 13 in order to contain
the spread of the novel coronavirus.
    Finland has followed with mounting concern neighbouring
Sweden's liberal pandemic strategy, fearing cross-border
commuters could speed up the spread of the virus in northern
parts of Finland with an ageing population and limited intensive
care resources.  L8N2BR3MH 
    "The government's aim is to further reduce movement in the
inherent commute area across the borders with Sweden and
Norway," Finland's government said in a statement.
    Finland had recorded 2,176 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 27
deaths by Tuesday, while neighbouring Sweden's numbers stood at
7,206 and 477 deaths, according to a Reuters tally. 
    Hundreds of healthcare employees living in Finland cross the
northern border to Sweden daily and are vital for the border
area's services in Sweden. 
    "Finland considers it indispensable that Sweden instructs
its healthcare personnel to better protection and increases
testing of these groups," the government said.
    The Finnish government had already restricted travel across
its northern borders to commuters but now only the most
essential workers will be allowed to cross with proof of their
importance from their employers.
    "Finns who commute to Sweden and Norway across Finland's
borders must remain in quarantine-like conditions when they are
in Finland," the government said.
    Nordic countries gave up passport controls between
themselves in 1952 and have a long tradition of unrestricted
cross-border working.
    The Finnish government also recommended that shipping
companies stop all passenger ticket sales from Sweden, Estonia
and Germany to Finland until the restrictions are lifted.
    "Spreading of the epidemic really has slowed down (in
Finland)," interior minister Maria Ohisalo told a news
conference, adding that the government would be giving more
details in the coming days about a so-called exit strategy to
gradually lift the restrictions.   
    
    

 (Reporting by Anne Kauranen, editing by Ed Osmond)
 ((anne.kauranen@thomsonreuters.com; +358925166112;))