Finland: Arrival passengers to face fine if they refuse to take COVID-19 test

Travellers arriving in Finland may face fines of hundreds of Euros if they refuse to take a Coronavirus test.

A new amendment to the Finnish Infectious Diseases Act, with regard to border security, imposes a fine on a tourist who enters Finland and opposes taking the required COVID-19 test. As per the reports, the law has been in place from July 12, and will remain valid until October 15.
As per the authorities, the new amendment was required to clarify the situation in judicial terms, although it was possible for the police to just go on and impose fines on those who refuse to take the COVID-19 tests.

Referring to this Inspector at the National Police Board Konsta Arvelin that the new law will create a completely new criminal offense in Finland, titled ‘violation of the COVID-19 test.’So far, Finland is one of the European nations that have the lowest Coronavirus figures, as it maintained tight border control during the pandemic.

Reportedly, the new amendment has been put into place after the Finnish health authorities detected a rise in Coronavirus cases that were traced back to soccer fans, who were returning from neighbouring Russia following European Championship matches in St. Petersburg.

Reports have it that the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare had then urged all arriving passengers from Russia to Finland to apply for a Coronavirus test. It has been found that more than 300 virus cases have been detected from those returning from St. Petersburg, mostly soccer fans, and that the number will likely increase further.