Mandatory health examinations at the Karigasniemi, Utsjoki and Nuorgam border crossings from 16 June - 31 July 2021

A decision issued on 15.6 by the Regional State Administrative Agency for Lapland requires all persons arriving in Finland via Utsjoki border crossings from high-risk countries to undergo a mandatory health examination between 16.6.–31.7.2021. In practice, the health examination means a coronavirus test.

Persons arriving from high-risk countries refers to people who have spent time in a country with a two-week coronavirus incidence rate that is higher than 25/100,000 in the 14 days preceding their arrival in Finland. Norway is currently a high-risk country.

The health check order does not apply to:

• children and young people born in or after 2005,
• goods transport and logistics personnel who are working,
• people who can provide a negative result of a coronavirus test taken no earlier than 72 hours before arrival,
• people who can provide reliable evidence that they have been vaccinated against coronavirus (one vaccination is enough) and at least 14 days have passed since the last vaccination,
• people who can provide reliable evidence of having been infected with COVID-19 within the last six months,
• Sámi people who cross the border in order to practice their livelihoods or for cultural reasons,
• border workers and members of border communities when going about their business within the border community, if they can show a negative test result less than seven (7) days old. If your journey extends beyond a border community (e.g. to Hammerfest, Vadsø, or elsewhere in Norway outside the border communities), a negative test result will only be valid for 72 hours (and not for seven days).

However, those who have only received one vaccination are recommended to take a coronavirus test no earlier than 72 hours after arriving in the country. Arrivals do not need to take a coronavirus test if they have received two vaccinations and 14 days have passed since the last vaccination. Vaccination certificates for coronavirus vaccinations administered in Finland can be found using the Omakanta service.

If a person arrives in Finland and stays for longer than 72 hours, they must take another test within three (3) days in order to shorten self-quarantine, which would otherwise last for 14 days. This does not apply to members of border communities, for whom a negative coronavirus test result is valid for seven (7) day

When arriving in the country, you must fill out a Lapland Entry form. It can be filled out digitally in advance, or on paper at the border.

Border crossings on the Finnish and Norwegian border are open to passenger traffic daily from 9.00am – 9:00pm.

Test points and opening hours

• Karigasniemi
  • Karigasniemen tulli, Norjantie 5, 99950 Karigasniemi, Finland
  • Testing daily from 9.00am – 9.00pm
  • tel. +358 (0)40 682 2348
• Utsjoki
  • Utsjoen terveyskeskus, Seitatie 1A, 99980 Utsjoki, Finland (approx. 800 metres south along Finnish National Road 4 (“Nelostie”) from the border crossing towards Ivalo)
  • 24h testing: weekdays, tel. +358 (0)40 181 0285, evenings and weekends, tel. +358 (0)40 181 0281
• Nuorgam
  • Nuorgamintie 4701, 99990 Nuorgam, Finland (shares a car park with the Finnish border guard)
  • Testing daily from 9.00am – 9.00pm
  • tel. +358 (0)40 655 0250

In order for border crossings to take place as smoothly as possible, we kindly request that you fill out the entry form, ensure that you have the necessary documents, and take a coronavirus test before arrival, if possible.

Further information is available from:

Heidi Eriksen

Physician in charge of communicable diseases

tel. +358 (0)40 181 0284

Laura Elsinen

Charge nurse

tel. +358 (0)40 181 0280