Finland has introduced mandatory health checks at its borders, the Southern Finland Regional State Administrative Agency said in a press release on Thursday.
All passengers entering the country through the Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport, Helsinki's seaports or at the Vaalimaa border crossing point from Russia must undergo mandatory health checks immediately after entry. As part of the examination, passengers may also be subjected to COVID-19 testing.
The agency said that all people entering Finland from countries with a COVID-19 incidence rate of more than 25 infections per 100,000 inhabitants during the two weeks preceding their arrival will be subject to the mandatory health check.
The new rule entered into force on March 18 and will be in place until March 31.
During the health check, passengers will be asked to present a negative coronavirus test certificate for a negative COVID-19 test taken in the last 72 hours. In this case, in principle, the passenger will not be tested for the virus upon entry.
A certificate proving a positive COVID-19 test taken within the last six months is also accepted if the certificate is deemed reliable. In this case, a virus test can also be avoided.
The mandatory health checks do not apply to cargo and logistics personnel working at airports, seaports and border crossings, nor to passengers transiting at Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport. Children born in 2008 and later do not need to undergo a health check.
Refusing the mandatory health examination is a health protection violation, which may result in a fine or imprisonment of up to three months.
