OREANDA-NEWS. Finland will retain restrictions when traveling across external borders, including with Russia, until July 14. This was announced on Thursday at a press conference by Interior Minister Maria Ohisalo.

"The restrictions on external borders will continue to apply until July 14", she said. "It is important to monitor the situation in the Russian Federation, and in a month we will return to this issue of the possible opening of borders", said Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, in turn. At the same time, it will be allowed to return to Finland from third countries that are not members of the European Union, and transit through the Helsinki-Vantaa airport. In addition, relatives of Finnish citizens from non-EU countries will be allowed to enter the country.

Ohisalo also said that starting June 15, Finland will open its borders for trips to the Baltic countries and the states of Northern Europe, with the exception of Sweden. From March 19 to May 13, Finland closed its borders to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. Since May 14, borders within the Schengen area have been opened for travel for work purposes and in urgent circumstances.