Finland to Reopen Its Borders for Schengen Area Workers From May 14
Finland has decided to reopen its borders for foreign workers from the Schengen zone, including Estonian citizens who work in Finland, from May 14, which borders have been closed since March 19, due to the Coronavirus developments.
Business trips and other necessary trips within the Schengen countries will also be enabled, but under strict instructions,
“Mostly what’s needed is that people could return home to Estonia from Finland and then come back. Everyone should still be voluntarily quarantined for two weeks,” the Finnish interior minister, Maria Ohisalo pointed out.
The Finish government also has decided to relax some other preventive measures that have been put in place, in the country’s efforts to stop the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).
However, even though the schools in Finland will reopen on May 14, the country will continue the remote classes. The government also announced that from June 1, groups of up to 50 people will be allowed to gather, as well as the libraries will restart lending books. Finland’s youth activity centres will also open their doors.
From June 1, cafés, restaurants and bars will resume their normal work, but with certain limitations that are still being worked out.
Amid Coronavirus, last month Finland has adopted new decisions regarding the country’s internal and external borders in a bid to stop the spread of Coronavirus pandemic. As of April 7, the rules imposed at the Finnish border crossings have been tightened and extended until May 13.
The Finnish Ministry of Interior has clarified that from the decision will be exempted essential travel to work and other necessary traffic. As per employees crossing the border, they must own a certificate issued by their employer stating that the work is essential.
Up to this point, a total of 5,412 tested positive for the Coronavirus in Finland, while 246 persons have already died.