Finland: In order to combat the onslaught of the Omicron variant of Covid-19, Finland will reintroduce entry controls from the European Union (EU) and the Schengen area. Non-residents wishing to enter Finland must have a negative test result by December 28, according to Prime Minister Sanna Marin, who made the announcement late Tuesday. According to reports, such a requirement has already been imposed on arrivals from non-EU countries and Omicron risk areas as of Tuesday.

The government has also increased restrictions on restaurant opening hours and capacity, but this will be done in two stages. "We wanted to give the industry time to adjust," Marin explained. Marin made the announcement at 11 p.m., following six hours of cabinet internal consultations.

Recently, Finnish health districts and hospitals have called for immediate action, such as the suspension of the Covid passport, which allows people to enter restaurants.

The suspension of the certificate system was also approved by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) on Tuesday. THL believed that by eliminating the Covid passport, the most effective way to prevent the spread of Omicron would be to restrict the operation of restaurants that specialise in the dispensing of alcohol.

Biden announces 500-million free Covid at-home test kits to combat Omicron.

Covid-19: South Korea reports 7,456 more cases

Omicron surge prompts Israel to impose restrictions