Next week, Finland will open to tourists from all Nordic and Baltic countries except Sweden.
A decision that is upsetting – both from the Swedish and Finnish sides.
”"We are very concerned that it turned out like this," says Haparanda municipal councilor Sven Tornberg (C) to TT.
According to Tornberg, the announcement from the Finnish government, which announced on Thursday that it would lift border controls for travel to and from all Nordic and Baltic countries except Sweden, was a great disappointment.
Now Sven Tornberg hopes for a new decision in two weeks.
”"The fact that our Swedish citizens, with family ties and business connections in Finland, are unable to live their normal lives is a restriction on our everyday lives that we cannot really understand," he says.
”"We really hope that they don't stick to the new rules and change their minds in two weeks."”
Tornberg is also concerned about a scenario where more Nordic countries follow Finland's example and close the border with Sweden.
The local business community in Haparanda was hit hard when cross-border trade completely died after the border with Finland was closed in March. In the city, retail sales amounted to SEK 2.1 billion in 2018, according to the Swedish Trade Research Institute (HUI), and cross-border trade is the driving force.
For some time now, Finnish citizens have been allowed to travel across the border to Sweden, which has given some breathing space for Haparanda's businesses and shops.
”"It's clear that when mobility is not what it usually is, it's tough. When the borders are closed, it affects all business in the municipality, even though it has improved a little," says Sven Tornberg.
And he is not alone in feeling concerned. Max Jansson, CEO of Visit Vasa, is also critical.
”"It is very regrettable that companies are being put in a situation that will ruin them financially," he tells TT.
Even in the Finnish city of Vaasa, located in Ostrobothnia, a major decline is visible for local businesses in general, and the tourism industry in particular.
”"We have had a very negative development. Now Finland is opening up a bit, which is good, but Sweden is the second most important target group for our companies," says Max Jansson.
Starting Monday, tourists from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Denmark, Norway and Iceland will be allowed.
For Swedish citizens, exceptions are only made for people who own a property in Finland or have a partner in the country.
This sends completely the wrong signals, says Max Jansson, who instead believes that the Finnish government should trust that recommendations and advice are followed.
”"We're not stupid, we understand that you have to think about safety. But society has to be kept going," he says.
Source: TT
