Stricter measures taken at Helsinki Airport to guide incoming passengers

The authorities have taken stricter measures at Helsinki Airport to guide people safely home or into quarantine, said an official press release.

All individuals arriving in Finland from abroad are now required to fill in a form assessing their situation already at the border control stage.

Passengers must complete the form before proceeding to the border check counter, where the form will be inspected by the border guard.

Based on the information provided in the form, the person will either be instructed on making their way home or directed to a health checkpoint or a service point for making transport arrangements.

People at the health checkpoint who are experiencing symptoms will be directed to sampling and brought to hotel accommodation to wait for the results.

If the sample is negative, they will continue their normal quarantine either at the designated accommodation or at home. If the result is positive, they will be transferred to healthcare.

A quarantine order will be issued for travellers who do not consent to self-quarantine. People who do not have a place to spend their quarantine in Finland will be provided with accommodation for 14 days. Quarantine accommodation will be provided primarily at the passenger's own expense.

People arriving at the airport will not be able to leave using public transport, but they can leave using their own car. If a returning traveller does not have their own vehicle and is unable to arrange transport home, a charter bus or taxi may be provided. Transport via charter bus began this afternoon.

Finavia is the primary authority responsible for the measures at the airport, while the Ministry of the Interior is responsible for border formalities and the Ministry of Transport and Communications is responsible for transport matters.

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is responsible for healthcare measures.