Change in travel restrictions have increased the number of people crossing the border of North Karelia. 13,065 Russian nationals have crossed the border of North Karelia between Russia and Finland in the month of September, which means that the number of Russians crossing the border increased by approximately 40 per cent compared to the same month in 2020.
At the same time, 3,278 Finnish nationals have crossed the border this September, compared to 768 Finns who crossed the border in September last year.
According to the Finnish Border Guard (RAJA), while Russians accounted for 77.5 per cent of the total border crossers in September at the border of North Karelia, Finns accounted for 19.5 per cent, and the remaining three per cent (524) were citizens of other countries.
Currently, travel from Russia to Finland is only permitted to those who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with one of the vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Yet, since the majority of Russians have been vaccinated with the Sputnik V vaccine, which hasn’t been approved by the EMA yet, it means that mainly only Russians travelling to Finland for essential purposes are permitted to enter the country, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports
According to the current entry rules, the following persons can enter Finland from Russia:
- Those reaching the country for work that is significant for the functioning of society or supply security
- Health care and rescue service personnel
- Elderly care professionals during assignments
- Transport and logistics personnel in their duty
- Diplomats, staff of international organisations, humanitarian aid workers and military personnel in the exercise of their duties
- Government representatives participating in international negotiations
- Those engaged in work for international NGOs
- Humanitarian reasons
- Compelling family issues
