Health examinations in ports to be reduced from the beginning of March

Health examination practices in Helsinki passenger ports will change on Tuesday, 1 March. Starting in March, passengers arriving in Helsinki will undergo occasional checks on COVID certificates. If there are any deficiencies in the certificate, the passenger will be referred for a COVID-19 test.

Passengers arriving in Helsinki by ship must have a certificate of a full or incomplete vaccination series approved in Finland, proof of recovery from COVID-19 less than six months ago, or a negative COVID-19 test certificate issued no more than 72 hours before the trip.

Certificates are not required for children born in 2007 or after or operators working in the transport and logistics sector.

“As the COVID-19 pandemic is gradually easing and vaccination coverage continues to rise, it is possible to make travel easier in the ports of Helsinki. There should be no long waiting times for passengers when arriving in Helsinki,” says Leena Turpeinen, Director of Health and Substance Abuse Services in Helsinki.   

Who are required to undergo COVID-19 testing 72 hours after arriving in the country?

Passengers whose vaccination series is incomplete, who have a negative COVID-19 test certificate (from a test taken less than 72 hours ago) or who entered the country without any certificate are referred for a COVID-19 test at the earliest 72 hours and at the latest 120 hours after entry. Failure to get tested is a punishable offence.

Passengers without any of the certificates in accordance with the Communicable Diseases Act are referred for a test within 24 hours of entry.

Passengers who will stay in Finland and do not have a certificate of COVID-19 vaccinations accepted in Finland, a negative COVID-19 test certificate from a test taken within the last 72 hours or proof of recovery from COVID-19 less than six months ago must get tested for COVID-19 immediately and at the latest within 24 hours of entry. This rule is not applied to cruise ship passengers who will leave Finland within 24 hours of their arrival.

Those required to get tested must also get a second COVID-19 test within 72 hours or at the latest within 120 hours of entry.

These COVID-19 tests are mandatory under the Communicable Diseases Act, and failure to get them is punishable. The obligation to get tested for COVID-19 also applies to Finnish citizens.

Test appointments can be booked

• in the Finentry service at finentry.fi
• according to the instructions of your (temporary) municipality of residence
• Helsinki residents can also book an appointment
  • at omaolo.fi (only if you have symptoms) or
  • by calling 09 310 10024, every day at 8:00–18:00.

More information www.thl.fi/matkustajaohje(Link leads to external service), www.hel.fi/helsinki/coronavirus-en  

Photo: City of Helsinki material bank