Finland is scaling down its restrictions on cross-border travel beginning September 19. The announcement, as reported by the Helsinki Times, says that passengers from countries that reported 25 or fewer coronavirus (COVID-19) infections per 100,000 inhabitants in the past two weeks will not be required to observe a quarantine after arriving in Finland. Previously, quarantine was required if arriving from a country with eight or more cases per 100,000. This excluded many countries, even those in Europe and the European Union.
Countries that will now be allowed to visit Sweden quarantine-free include Denmark, Norway and Sweden, among others. Finland settled on 25 as the European Union recommended its member states open their borders to countries with fewer than 25 to 50 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. The United States, according to The New York Times, has reported 76 cases per 100,000 in the last seven days (the number over a two-week period is not available).
The good news, however: Reuters reports that travelers from countries where the rate is higher than 25 new cases per 100,000 will also be allowed in if they present a negative test result upon entry. These visitors will have to go through either a full, 14-day quarantine or self-isolate until they produce a second negative test. Finland’s Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka said the ministry is currently drafting a bill that will oblige passengers to provide proof of a negative coronavirus test before entering the country.
Finland’s incidence over the past two weeks has been 7.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
This article originally appeared on www.travelagentcentral.com.
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