Vaccinated Travelers Can Visit Finland From July 12
After more than a year of the COVID-19 pandemic, countries around the world are gradually reopening to travelers. The latest is Finland that has announced that from July 12 fully vaccinated tourists can visit the country without the need for testing or quarantine requirements.
Visit Finland this summer
Travelers wishing to visit Finland can now skip COVID-19 travel restrictions by producing proof of vaccination on arrival in the country. This can be either as an approved health certificate, or as an EU digital COVID-19 certificate. The Finnish health ministry has approved the following vaccines: AstraZeneca, Covishield, Coronavac, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Pfizer and Sinopharm.
Any traveler who has only received one dose of the vaccine can still visit the country, but they will be required to undergo a COVID-19 test within three days of departure. The same applies to unvaccinated visitors, but they will be required to take a test before departure and on arrival. Anyone who can prove they have been infected with the virus within the past six months and has recovered is permitted to enter without the need of testing.
Who can visit Finland?
Finland’s new measures are to be reviewed every two weeks, and currently apply to travelers from EU and Schengen countries, along with those traveling from destinations outside of these zones that are classified as low-risk locations (where the incidence of coronavirus is low). These locations currently include Australia, China, Hong Kong, Israel, Malta, Poland, New Zealand, Singapore, and others.
Travelers from other countries, including the US and the UK, will need to be tested for COVID-19 on arrival in Finland. They will then be required to self-isolate and take a second test from three to five days after arrival in the country.
Finland relaxing travel restrictions
Finland was recently declared the World’s Happiest Country for the fourth year in a row by the United Nations. Its government announced on Tuesday this week that travel restrictions are being relaxed after more than a year of tight border and domestic controls, intended to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Across the country, hotels and tourist attractions have reopened and restaurants, bars and cafés have also reopened for both indoor and outdoor service. Curfews have generally been dropped and they can now stay open until midnight. However, opening times do vary by region under local restrictions.
COVID-19 situation in Finland
In recent weeks, infections have been rising again in Finland. However, Reuters reports that the country remains among those least affected by the coronavirus. Finland’s vaccination program is doing well and according to the Finnish health ministry, 60 percent of eligible adults have received at least their first dose of a vaccine. Meanwhile, 21.4 percent have been given their second dose.
According to the US Embassy in Finland, the COVID-19 situation in Finland has noticeably improved. However, it notes there are major regional differences relating to the development of the pandemic. The website states that the incidence of COVID-19 is still higher in southern and southwestern Finland, as well as Central Ostrobothnia, than in the rest of the country. However, it does note that development has slowed down in many areas.
Readers can also check the latest information relating to the pandemic on the official Visit Finland website.