FINLAND

Internal border control to be reinstated for traffic between Finland and all Schengen countries on 28 December – check the entry guidelines!

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The Government decided to reintroduce internal border control at Finland’s borders starting on Tuesday 28 December. The Government will decide on the new restrictions at its session on Tuesday 28 December 2021. The decision will enter into force immediately and remain in force until 16 January 2022.Updated information based on the new guidelines on entry into Finland will be available on the website of the Border Guard. The guidelines will be confirmed by a government decision 28 December 2021. In the meantime, changes to the guidelines are possible.Travellers should note that even though Finland does not require a negative test result from a Finnish citizen upon arrival in Finland, many countries, airlines and shipping companies may have their own testing requirements as a condition for entry into a country. Travellers must be active and contact the authorities of the country of destination, shipping company or airline concerned to find out which certificates are required.The Finnish Border Guard:Instructions valid until 27 December 2021Guidelines for border traffic as of 28 December 2021

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Prime Minister’s Christmas greeting

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Christmas always seems to come by stealth in the middle of the busiest time of year. We rush to get our work done, to fix up the home and get it ready for the festivities. But what if we learned some tolerance for unfinished business, and accepted that we’ve done enough already? When daily life stops for a while and we get to take a break, then the Yuletide season can bring much-needed peace of mind.Christmas is a blend of old and new traditions that arouses shared and individual memories. There are sounds and smells and flavours; simple things that we have learned to appreciate even more amidst the ongoing pandemic. As the world around us changes, Christmas feels familiar and safe. Maybe that’s the true magic of the season.Even though many familiar Christmas traditions and customs date back only a few decades or began as little as a century ago, the midwinter feast was celebrated at these latitudes long before our modern Christmas took on its present form and meaning. It was as if we had an age-old need to stop working, calm down and celebrate when the longest night of the year was finally behind us.Christmas has come around again this year, just as spring will follow the winter.The last two years have called for patience, adaptation and flexibility. Many people have lost loved ones, or been concerned for their own health or that of a family member. Christmas may also be overshadowed by worries about work and livelihood as a renewed need for restrictions has arisen.We have yet to discover what next year will bring, but I want to believe that better times are coming. Vaccines have brought a measure of security, and they remain the most important and effective way to fight the pandemic. We should protect ourselves and care for one another.I sincerely hope that everyone has time at Christmas to pause for at least a moment and enjoy the festivities. Each in accordance with our own heritage, or boldly creating new traditions. I personally look forward to spending peaceful time together with my family and loved ones.Christmas is an opportunity to rest, extend a helping hand, reflect on things past, and consider the future. Together, we can get through anything that life throws at us.I wish you all a peaceful and joyous Christmas season!

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on travel

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The COVID-19 pandemic has affected tourism in many ways, and even experienced travellers may encounter unexpected situations. We recommend that you plan and find out about matters in advance to make sure that your journey proceeds as planned. The Consular Services of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs approaches travellers in a letter with a number of tips on how to cope in various situations.Matkustaja laukun kanssa lentokentällä. Each country makes its own decisions on the entry of travellers and the conditions for entry. Airlines and shipping companies may also have their own regulations and restrictions for travellers. Always check the information before travelling.Dear reader,Countries around the world are affected by COVID-19 to a different extent and variants of the virus come and go. Restrictions are lifted and reintroduced – often very quickly without early warning. If you are transiting to your travel destination through several countries, you may find that practices vary from country to country. Airlines and shipping companies may also have their own regulations and restrictions for travellers. It may be difficult for travellers to find and understand the rules.Each country makes its own decisions on the entry of travellers and the conditions for entry. Countries may also impose restrictions that everyone staying in its territory – including travellers – must follow. Failure to comply with them may lead to fines or other measures. Please contact the authorities of your country of transit or destination for more information. Always check the information before travelling.If necessary, contact the nearest embassy of your country of destination. You can find a list of missions of foreign states in Finland at the Ministry’s website. When you are making travel plans, please visit Re-open EU (europa.eu) to get the latest information on the COVID-19 situation in the EU and on the various restrictions in place.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

This is how the right to vote is determined in county elections

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Finnish citizens who reside in a wellbeing services county and reach the age of 18 years on election day 23 January 2022 at the latest are entitled to vote in the county elections.In addition, those citizens of other EU Member States, Iceland and Norway who have a municipality of residence in a wellbeing services county in Finland are also entitled to vote. Other foreign citizens are entitled to vote if they have had a municipality of residence in a wellbeing services county in Finland for an uninterrupted period of at least two years. Further information on the determination of the right to vote is available on the Electionsfinland.fi website.Eligible voters will receive a notice of right to vote in December. The notice will be sent in electronic format to those eligible voters who have activated the Suomi.fi Messages service and given their consent for all official messages to be sent to them electronically.It is easy to find out your polling station and wellbeing services countyThe elections to be held on Sunday 23 January 2022 are the first county elections in Finland. In the elections, representatives for the county councils will be elected. The county councils will be responsible for organising healthcare, social welfare and rescue services in the wellbeing services counties from the beginning of 2023. The county councils will start their work on 1 March 2022.There are 21 wellbeing services counties. The division into counties is based on the current division into regions with the exception of the region of Uusimaa, which includes four wellbeing services counties. The residents of Helsinki will not vote in the county elections, because Helsinki does not form a wellbeing services county nor does it belong to any of the counties. Another exception is Åland, which is not affected by the health and social services reform.In the county elections, voters may only vote for a candidate standing for election in their wellbeing services county. The wellbeing services county in which a voter is entitled to vote is determined based on their municipality of residence. Voters can check which wellbeing services county their municipality belongs to on the Electionsfinland.fi website.On election day, 23 January 2022, voters may only vote at the polling station mentioned in the notice of right to vote sent to them, whereas during the advance voting period from 12 to 18 January 2022, voting is possible at any of the general advance polling stations.The voting register for the 2022 county elections to be held in January was compiled based on the information contained in the Population Information System on 3 December 2021. If an eligible voter has moved after 3 December, the wellbeing services county in which they are entitled to vote and their election day polling station are determined based on the previous place of residence.General polling stations for county elections in the Information and Result Service of the Ministry of JusticeInformation about county elections and voting – Electionsfinland.fiInstructions for voters during COVID-19 – Electionsfinland.fi

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Emergency brake to be introduced to tackle COVID-19 – aiming to slow down the spread of the epidemic

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The Government has issued a resolution on the adoption of the national emergency brake mechanism. In managing the COVID-19 epidemic, Finland has returned to extensive restrictions and recommendations which are guided by national legislation. The aim is to reduce, in particular, contacts between adults in the worst affected areas of the epidemic and thus slow down the spread of the epidemic. Seventeen areas in Finland are currently classified as community transmission areas, so the recommended measures apply to almost the whole country. In late autumn 2021, the development of the epidemic has rapidly deteriorated. The need for hospital care and the burden on the healthcare system have increased significantly, which also puts the treatment of other diseases at risk. Earlier measures have been insufficient to prevent the epidemic from taking a turn for the worse. The emergency brake system will introduce measures that are in line with current legislation but also measures that require legislative amendments.Several new measures to restrict close contacts in the worst affected areas of the epidemicThe ministries guide the authorities to introduce extensive and full measures to tackle the pandemic in the community transmission areas.These include measures with which to extend the restrictions on public events, prohibit high and moderate risk events, suspend high-risk group hobbies for adults, switch to distance learning in higher education institutions, close high and moderate risk premises open to customers and participants, and restrict the number of passengers in public transport. It is also recommended that people take a home test before attending events and activities or using public premises.In addition, a decree will lay down provisions on a period of three weeks during which it will not be possible to deviate from the restrictions by using the COVID-19 passport in high and moderate risk premises and events in the community transmission areas. Restrictions will also be imposed on opening hours and the serving of alcoholic beverages in restaurants and other food and beverage service businesses, and the use of the COVID-19 passport will be restricted for a fixed period of three weeks. The amendments are laid down by decree. The Government decided to reintroduce internal border control at Finland’s borders.Impact to be monitored regularlyThe emergency brake mechanism will be applied nationally and for as short a period as possible. It will be lifted as soon as it cannot be justified to be proportionate and necessary.The emergency brake measures and their impact on health, wellbeing, the economy and fundamental rights have been assessed in advance in cooperation between different ministries.The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health will issue instructions on the introduction of the emergency brake mechanism in the regions. 

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Changes in the administrative branch of the Ministry of the Interior at the turn of the year

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Amendments to legislation and decrees will enter into force at the beginning of 2022, of which the most important ones are explained in this release.Changes in police service fees: passport price falls, prices of other licences and permits remain the same or risePolice licence and permit fees are due to change in 2022. The price of a passport will fall, while most prices of other licences and permits will rise. The prices of identity cards will remain unchanged. The changes reflect the cost-correlation of licences and permits. The fees charged for licences and permits must correspond by law to the costs incurred in issuing these documents.Amendment to the reception act clarifies responsibilities for preparing for mass influx of migrantsThe reception act will be amended so that the Finnish Immigration Service will have central responsibility for preparedness planning concerning the organisation of reception services in the event of a mass influx of migrants. The President of the Republic approved the bill for the act on Thursday 16 December. The act will enter into force on 1 January 2022.Fees charged by the Finnish Immigration Service to change in 2022The Ministry of the Interior has issued a decree on fees charged by the Finnish Immigration Service. The decree will enter into force on 1 January 2022.Assistance for voluntary return to remain unchangedThe Ministry of the Interior has issued a decree on assistance for voluntary return for 2022–2023. The decree will enter into force on 1 January 2022.Fees charged by Emergency Services Academy and Emergency Response Centre Agency to change in 2022The Ministry of the Interior has issued decrees on the chargeable services of Pelastusopisto – Emergency Services Academy Finland and the Emergency Response Centre Agency. The decrees will enter into force on 1 January 2022.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Finland invests in fighting climate change in North Africa

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Finland will strengthen its role in the fight against climate change through an investment in a new partnership launched by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The funding will be targeted at climate action in North Africa.Finland will allocate EUR 39.73 million in funding for the High Impact Partnership on Climate Action (HIPCA) launched by the EBRD. The investment will be made from the appropriation for development policy investments. In addition to the investment, Finland will grant EUR 2 million for technical support related to projects under HIPCA. In its funding, Finland emphasises the climate action carried out in North Africa.Finland is a long-term supporter of the EBRD. The HIPCA fund represents a new type of partnership, strengthening Finland’s role in the EBRD. Through the fund, investments will be made in projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen climate resilience. Through the investments in the fund, it will be possible to build renewable energy systems, develop sustainable food systems and invest in the development of urban environments, including public transport. This will also leverage private sector funding for climate action. Other pioneering financiers of the fund are the Netherlands and Taiwan.“The investment forms a part of the implementation of our Africa Strategy and contributes to the achievement of our climate policy objectives. The fund will strengthen Finland’s position in the fight against climate change and increase its visibility. The funding is also expected to promote connections between the Finnish private sector and development finance around the world,” says Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari.Finland’s investment in the HIPCA fund will be tied to projects that will be carried out during a six-year investment window. The capital together with the interest on the borrowed loan through the fund will return to Finland once a year. The last returns will arrive in Finland 20 years after the end of the investment window.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Fees charged by Emergency Services Academy and Emergency Response Centre Agency to change in 2022

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The Ministry of the Interior has issued decrees on the chargeable services of Pelastusopisto – Emergency Services Academy Finland and the Emergency Response Centre Agency. The decrees will enter into force on 1 January 2022.Fee for fire alarm system testing to rise slightlyThe Emergency Response Centre Agency will raise its fees chargeable under public law by EUR 3 for fire alarm system testing. This means the fee will be EUR 16 per month. The increases are due to the general rise in costs. The decree includes a new provision on the scope of application. The decree will enter into force on 1 January 2022 and remain in force for two years until 31 December 2023.Moderate increases in course fees of the Emergency Services AcademyThe new decree will increase some of the Emergency Services Academy fees chargeable under public law. The changes concern different fields of rescue training.The fees for the following courses will be raised: course for chiefs of contract fire brigades, basic course for part-time chiefs of industrial fire brigades, course in water rescue, and pedagogical training for responsible instructors of contract personnel. The increases will be moderate, for example the fee for the course for chiefs of contract fire brigades will rise to EUR 152 (previously EUR 139). The increases are due to the general rise in costs.Two new courses have been added to the decree: thematic training for responsible instructors of contract personnel and instructor training for the emergency driving course.The decree will enter into force on 1 January 2022 and remain in force for one year until 31 December 2022. 

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

COVID-19 certificates issued outside the EU to be accepted as COVID-19 passports in Finland as of 23 December

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — As of 23 December, COVID-19 certificates issued outside the EU will be accepted as COVID-19 passports in Finland. Operators in different sectors may check certificates issued outside the EU manually, without the COVID certificate reader application.Previously, Finland has only accepted as COVID-19 passports the EU COVID certificates or certificates from countries with which the EU has concluded an interoperability agreement. In addition, the COVID certificates (COVID passports) could earlier be checked manually only in case of a technical fault with the reader application.However, many third-country travellers arriving in Finland carry a COVID-19 certificate issued by a non-EU country that is not interoperable with the digital COVID-19 certificate issued by the EU.A new section 58m concerning this was approved on 22 December 2021 and it can be applied in practice as of 23 December 2021. The section is a temporary amendment to the Communicable Diseases Act. According to subsection 2 of the section, the obligation to read COVID certificates with an electronic reader application does not apply to certificates issued outside the EU.In other respects, the Acts (the Act on Temporarily Amending the Communicable Diseases Act and the Act on Temporarily Amending the Act on Transport Services) will enter into force on 1 January 2022.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Temporary provisions of Communicable Diseases Act in force until end of June 2022

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The temporary provisions of the Communicable Diseases Act will be extended until the end of June 2022. For the most part, the provisions will remain as they are at present. The President of the Republic approved the Act on Temporarily Amending the Communicable Diseases Act on 22 December 2021.The validity of the provisions on temporary restrictions concerning food and beverage service businesses and on their supervision will be extended. The provisions on special hygiene obligations for passenger transport and other services and on the temporary restriction of activities when the epidemiological situation so requires will also remain in force. The regulation concerning COVID-19 passports will continue and the regulation on the use of COVID-19 passports will be amended so that their use will apply to public events or premises throughout their opening hours. A new temporary provision now included in the Act will oblige the municipalities to issue EU Digital COVID Certificates to people who have been vaccinated outside the EU.The validity of the provisions on health-secure entry into the country during the COVID-19 pandemic will be extended. People arriving in Finland will continue to be required to have a reliable certificate of recovery from COVID-19 within the past six months, of a completed and approved vaccine course or of a negative COVID-19 test taken before arrival in Finland. The obligation to undergo a test within 72-120 hours of the entry into the country will apply to people with a test certificate or people who take a test upon their arrival in Finland or who are not fully vaccinated. As now, certain groups of people will be subject to an exemption according to which they will not be required to present a certificate or take a COVID-19 test, but the exemption concerning countries and regions and the Government’s authority to issue decrees are no longer included.The Communicable Diseases Act specifies the cross-border health security measures, and separate provisions have been issued on the conditions for entry. In line with the Government decision of 16 December, the restrictions on entry at Finland’s external borders have been continued and health security measures have been tightened. On 21 December, the Government also decided to reintroduce internal border control at Finland’s borders as from 28 December.The provisions concerning the temporary restrictions on the number of passengers in passenger traffic and the temporary closure of facilities will be amended. The incidence of COVID-19 will no longer be included in the statutory criteria for official decision-making. A condition for applying the provision is that there are considerable infection clusters in the area and they can pose a risk of wide-scale spreading of new infections in the area.The provision of the Act on Transport services concerning access to timetable and route information during the COVID-19 epidemic will remain in force.The Act still includes a provision concerning the violation of the obligation to take a COVID-19 test and a provision on the obligation of the State to reimburse municipalities for the costs incurred in checking certificates and conducting COVID-19 tests. In addition, the validity of the specifications to the provisions on executive assistance and the implementation of decisions will be extended.The temporary provisions will enter into force on 1 January 2022. 

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

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