Ambassador Kirsikka Lehto-Asikainen’s message to Finns

Dear Finns in Israel, I hope you and your close ones are well. We are living extremely exceptional times as the coronavirus spreads around the world. The situation is constantly changing. Currently, the Embassy's work is largely focused on monitoring and handling issues related to the corona situation.

Ambassador Kirsikka Lehto-Asikainen

Dear Finns in Israel,

I hope you and your close ones are well. We are living extremely exceptional times as the coronavirus spreads around the world. The situation is constantly changing. Currently, the Embassy's work is largely focused on monitoring and handling issues related to the corona situation. Our primary tasks now include informing and assisting Finns, collecting and disseminating information on the Israeli coronavirus situation and the government actions and policies affecting Finns, conducting a proactive analysis of the situation, preparing for different scenarios and looking after the health of our customers and staff.

Focusing on these tasks, our Consul Tania Greco and our entire customer service team have been working diligently to inform and reach Finns here. I would like to thank them and the whole Embassy staff for their great work in this challenging situation.

We are constantly updating the Embassy's social media with the latest information

·  http://www.finland.org.il(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)

·  http://www.facebook.com/FinnishEmbassyTelAviv(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)

·  http://www.twitter.com/FinIsrael(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)

If you need assistance from the Embassy, for example in returning to Finland, please contact us by email and leave your contact details. Our email address is sanomat.tel(a)formin.fi .

After receiving your message, we will contact you as soon as possible.

I would like to remind you that all Finnish tourists should return to Finland. Travelling back to Finland is becoming increasingly difficult, as the number of flights and routes are decreasing. You should act quickly and decisively, if you want to return to Finland. This applies in particular to persons not covered by the Israeli social security, as well as those in high-risk groups.

The latest information on flight connections can be found on the website of the Ben Gurion Airport(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window). At the moment, there are still connections, for example, through London. The Embassy cannot confirm the availability of flights. In the current situation, it is important to purchase tickets directly from the airline.

Our key advice for you is to follow and comply with the regulations and orders of the local authorities. The lock-down, except the necessary movement, imposed by the Israeli government, must be taken seriously to control the spread of the virus. The Israeli Ministry of Health website(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window) works well and the information is available in English as well.

We have also requested the Israeli authorities to provide more information in English.

I would also remind everyone to submit a travel notification (Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)so that we can provide you information directly and contact you, if necessary.

To conclude, I would like to quote the President of the Republic of Finland, Mr. Sauli Niinistö, who visited Israel in January: “We can only move forward together. It concerns us Finns. And it concerns the whole international community. We will get through this. ”

Keep well and let’s take care of our close ones and ourselves.

Warm regards on behalf of the whole Embassy team,

Kirsikka Lehto-Asikainen