Current affairs
4.12.2020
From his home country Finland, Santa Claus confirms Christmas deliveries will proceed
The year 2020 has been like no other year in recent memory. Anytime humanity faces difficult challenges, children have even more questions and concerns than usual about what is happening in the world. The coronavirus has affected the lives of just about everyone on the planet, regardless of age.
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19.11.2020
Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on Finnish missions’ entry permit services – current situation
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to influence the entry permit services of the Finnish diplomatic missions abroad. All missions are not able to provide these services in the same way and to the same extent as in normal circumstances before the pandemic. The missions have been able to serve customers in questions related to entry matters in the countries where this has been possible taking into account health security and local official regulations. In this fall, the missions have been reopening their services as far as possible, and currently entry services are provided in most countries at least to a limited extent.
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9.11.2020
Changes to travel guidance and entry restrictions due to COVID-19 situation
According to the Government decision made in September, restrictions on entry may be lifted for traffic between Finland and those EU and Schengen countries and the counties on the green list specified by the Council of the EU where the incidence of COVID-19 has not exceeded 25 new cases per 100,000 persons in the previous 14 days. The Government assesses the situation in different countries once a week. This news article will be updated with changes to the guidance and restrictions.
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28.10.2020
Finland strengthens Europeans’ digital skills – the Elements of AI online course becomes available in Ireland on 30 October
Finland makes the Elements of AI online course available for EU citizens during the period 2020–2021. Finland offers free access to the Elements of AI online course to one per cent of EU citizens, thereby strengthening digital competence within the EU. Elements of AI is a free online course designed and organised by the University of Helsinki and Reaktor, a Finnish technology company. The objective of the course is to encourage everyone, regardless of age or educational background, to learn the basics of artificial intelligence. The course will be launched in Ireland on October 30, 2020. In Ireland, the local partner is University College Cork (UCC). The course will be launched as a part of Silicon Republic’s Future Human event.
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11.9.2020
Travel guidance and entry restrictions amended due to COVID-19
On 11 September, the Government adopted a decision on restrictions on border traffic, which will enter into force on 19 September. Restrictions on entry will be lifted for traffic between Finland and Cyprus, Germany, Iceland, Norway, Poland and Sweden, as well as for residents of Australia, Canada and Japan who are travelling from their home country to Finland. Restrictions on entry into the country will be reintroduced between Finland and Hungary and Italy.
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4.9.2020
27.8.2020
New Decree of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs on Fees for Services Produced by the Foreign Service enters into force on September
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has issued a Decree on Fees for Services Produced by the Foreign Service for 2020–2022. The new decree will replace the former Decree of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs on Fees for Services Produced by the Foreign Service (377/2014). The new decree will enter into force on 1 September 2020 and will be valid until 31 December 2022.
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20.8.2020
Entry restrictions and travel recommendations tightened – continue to avoid non-essential travel
In its informal meeting on 18 August, the Government outlined changes to border traffic restrictions and travel recommendations. Restrictions on internal and external border traffic will be reinstated based on an epidemiological assessment. Internal border control will be reinstated for traffic between Finland and Iceland, Greece, Malta, Germany, Norway and Denmark. Restrictions on external border traffic will be reinstated for traffic into Finland from Ireland, Cyprus and San Marino, as well as to Japanese residents in traffic arriving in Finland from Japan.
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17.8.2020
Visa applications in exceptional cases accepted by missions in limited manner
In accordance with the Government decision, the amendments to the entry restrictions entered into force on 10 August 2020. Insofar as external border control continues, the accepted criteria for entry are the return of persons living in Finland or in another EU or Schengen country and other essential reasons. As of 10 August, an established relationship is also considered an essential reason for entry on the basis of which a visa can be applied for.
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6.8.2020
Changes to entry restrictions and travel recommendations; continue to avoid non-essential travel
At its session on 6 August, the Government decided on changes to border traffic restrictions and travel recommendations. Internal border control will be reinstated for traffic between Finland and the Netherlands, Andorra and Belgium. All persons returning from abroad must take note of the quarantine instructions provided by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.
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