The proposal to lower the 14-day infection rate was made by the Finnish Minister of Population and Social Services Krista Kiuru on Wednesday, MTV Uutiset reported (link in Finnish). She wants the rule to be in place until the end of August.

The European Union's recommendation is to allow free travel from countries with an infection rate of 50 per 100,000 inhabitants or fewer. Estonia's current rate is 30.4.

If the Finnish government imposes the new restrictions only travelers from Iceland, San Marino, Romania, the Vatican, Malta, Poland and Albania could currently travel to Finland without restrictions.

MTV News said several parties are against the proposal but the prime minister's party, the Social Democrats, are in favor of the proposal.

The website quotes a government source as saying that Kiuru's proposal came like a bolt from the blue, and approving it would basically mean an end to tourism and free movement.

Nõgene: New travel restrictions "completely absurd"

Speaking to Vikerraadio program "Uudis +" on Tuesday afternoon, chairman of the management board of Tallink Paavo Nõgene called the potential new rules "completely absurd".

He said the destination is the most important for Estonian and Tallinn tourism, but currently there are few Finnish tourists.

"The main problem for Finns coming here is that they have been vaccinated with a single dose. In Finland, only 20 percent of the population has been vaccinated with a double dose. And if they return home from a holiday trip, they should get tested after three days which costs between €160 and €250," said Nõgene.

Currently, travelers who are fully vaccinated or have recovered from covid can travel to Finland.

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