Norway opens border with Finland
Travel is now permitted to Finland’s Nordic neighbour from regions with a low incidence rate of coronavirus.
The Norwegian government has announced the easing of coronavirus restrictions, including regulations on travel to the country from regions of Finland with low incidence rates of the virus.
This means that people living within the Lapland Hospital District do not have to enter quarantine when travelling to Norway.
However, the incidence rate is still so high in the West Ostrobothnia Hospital District that the quarantine requirement will be maintained by Norwegian authorities for travellers from that region.
Norway has classified Finland’s hospital districts into yellow and red areas according to the incidence rate, with 25 infections per 100,000 inhabitants over a two-week period considered to be the upper limit.
This means that the hospital districts of Kainuu, Central Ostrobothnia, Southern Ostrobothnia, South Savo and Vaasa are also all considered to be yellow or low-incidence areas.
According to a press release from the Norwegian government, the restrictions will be reviewed on a regular basis.
Finnish authorities had announced on Thursday that it will lift border traffic restrictions for residents of border communities at Finland’s land border with Norway.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: 1st court date for southern couple accused of sneaking into northern Canadian community for vaccines, CBC News
Finland: Mysterious coronavirus variant in Arctic Finland is rare US-Mexican strain, Yle News
Denmark/Greenland: Greenland authorities buoyed by high demand for COVID-19 vaccine, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: Norway extends border closure with Finland due to pandemic, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Norway closes borders over fears of virus, but exempts Russian fishermen from severely infected border region, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: At least 16,000 in Sweden have long COVID, Radio Sweden
United States: Alaska politicians send Trudeau letter saying they’re “shocked” over Canada’s COVID-19 cruise ship ban, Eye on the Arctic
