As the borders open, travel and holidays abroad will increase. The Government still recommends avoiding unnecessary travel to countries other than countries where restrictions on entry have been waived. Pursuant the Constitution of Finland, Finnish citizens are always entitled to return to Finland, and everyone has the right to leave Finland if they so wish, unless the right is restricted by law.
Persons with symptoms must avoid all unnecessary movement outside their home and get tested. Persons with symptoms should not travel in Finland or abroad.
“Finns or people living in Finland also travel to countries where the epidemic is worse than it is in Finland. Visiting such a country will increase your risk of getting a coronavirus infection compared to being in Finland,” says THL’s Chief Specialist Jari Jalava.
This will then increase the risk of an increase in infections in Finland as travellers return. During border control, persons travelling from these high infection risk countries are given the guidelines drawn up by THL and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health on how to reduce the risk of increasing coronavirus infections in Finland. The guidelines also include the recommendation for a voluntary 14 day quarantine.
“We are aware of infections diagnosed in Finland, which probably originated from the Balkans. For example, Spain is also a popular destination for Finnish tourists. Travel to the region is not recommended due to the increased number of cases there,” Jalava underlines.
Voluntary quarantine will be emphasised as travel increases
If you fall ill during a trip, you must contact health care and get tested. In particular, persons experiencing symptoms must maintain a distance to others and remember good hygiene practices when coughing or blowing their nose.
“Holidays include visits to the same destinations and sights with many other people, and people are often in close confines with people from different parts of the world. For this reason, hygiene is exceptionally important,” Jalava sums up.
A voluntary quarantine is one of the most important methods for preventing the spread of infections in Finland.
The basic idea behind the two week voluntary quarantine is:
- The maximum incubation period for coronavirus is 14 days, and a person can infect others approximately two days before they get symptoms.
- The person avoids contacts with other people as much as possible.
- Even so, going to work and other necessary activities are possible.
“The aim of quarantine is to prevent asymptomatic persons from infecting others. If you experience any symptoms, get tested and stay at home,” Jalava says.