Coronavirus news from abroad

Most places, which offer culture experiences, have had to close down for now due to the Corona outbreak. Luckily, many museums, orchestras and websites offer a lot of different culture online. See a list with culture tips from Finland and the Netherlands collected by the embassy staff members.

On 8 April, EU development ministers discussed the EU’s common response to the global impacts of coronavirus. At the meeting, Minister for International Development Ville Skinnari told about Finland’s first-hand measures.

On Tuesday, 7 April, through coordination between the UAE and Finnish governments, a chartered Finnair plane flew out Nordic and Baltic passengers from Dubai to the northern capitals Helsinki, Finland and Stockholm, Sweden. The flight was supported by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and made available also to citizens of other Nordic countries and European Union Member States.

Due to the prevailing emergency conditions based on the Emergency Powers Act, the Government has decided to restrict traffic at Finland’s external borders starting on Thursday 19 March at 00.00. Finns travelling abroad are encouraged to return to Finland as soon as possible.

All passengers travelling to the international airport of Ezeiza must have a letter signed by the embassy indicating the passenger's name, date of birth, passport number, flight details, address of the apartment/hotel (from which they travel to the airport) and the vehicle used for the transfer and its driver.

EU foreign ministers will hold an informal video conference again on 3 April 2020. Finland will be represented by Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto. The main topic on the agenda will be the outbreak of the coronavirus disease.

A consultative group on trade policy, led by Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari, will be set up to work out solutions to the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic for Finnish foreign trade both with third countries and in the EU single market.

On Friday 27 March 2020, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs together with Finnair will organise three repatriation flights for travellers returning to Finland. The flights will be from Cyprus and Portugal. Tickets for these flights can be bought via Finnair’s ticket sales.

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.

The Embassy of Finland in Tokyo has for the time being limited consular operations only to Finnish citizens with a pre-booked appointment. All other services, including residence permit and regular Schengen visa applications, have been suspended.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Government issued a resolution on 24 March allowing the Ministry for Foreign Affairs to plan to arrange reasonably priced repatriation flights for travellers who are no longer able to return to Finland using commercial connections. In line with the Government resolution, a maximum of EUR 4,000,000 in support can be provided for repatriation flights.

On 16 March 2020, the Government decided that emergency conditions as referred to in the Emergency Powers Act prevail in Finland. From the Foreign Ministry's viewpoint, the serious disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic is simultaneously affecting Finland's missions abroad, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Finland and Finnish society as a whole. The Ministry has therefore decided to make temporary changes in its management structure to be able to operate according to the Ministry's preparedness arrangements. These changes will take place on 24 March 2020.

The Covid-19 virus has now also landed in Tanzania. The situation seems to be under control, but unfortunately, we cannot exclude worse developments in the future. Our most vital task now is to support Finnish citizens in Tanzania.

The President of the Republic of Cyprus Mr. Nicos Anastasiades addressed the people of Cyprus on the issue of Coronavirus. Ban on unnecessary movement set from 06.00 pm of March 24, 2020 until April 13, 2020.

On 23 March 2020, the Informal Meeting of EU Foreign Ministers will be held as a video conference. Finland will be represented by Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto. The main topic on the agenda will be the COVID-19 outbreak.

Owing to the coronavirus outbreak, Finland, in line with the rest of the Schengen countries, has suspended the reception of normal visa applications in Finland’s missions with immediate effect from 19 March until further notice.