Finland extends border closure with Russia due to Covid-19
PETROZAVODSK. July 14 (Interfax) - The Finnish-Russian border will remain closed until July 25 due to the risk of coronavirus, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB)'s Border Department in Karelia said on Wednesday.
"The Russian FSB's Border Department in Karelia is notifying the population of Finland's decision to extend restrictions on crossing the Russian-Finnish state border from July 12 through July 25, 2021," it said.
Individual Russians will be able to travel to Finland and back with the consent of border commissioners, the border department said.
The restrictions do not apply to cargo traffic and "absolutely necessary and urgent passenger trips," it said.
The European Union closed its borders on March 17, 2020, amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Finland temporarily stopped accepting visa applications and international travel permits on March 20, 2020 for that reason.
All Finnish visa centers in Russia suspended operations on April 4, 2020.