In normal cases, there is no real border between Finland and Sweden. People have long commuted between the countries, traded and visited loved ones. But as the corona virus progressed, Finland chose to close the border two weeks ago, with the exception of commuting and freight traffic.

Haparanda prepares for smaller staff

Now the rules may be even tougher as the Finnish government has proposed to close the border completely. At present, no decision has been made, but the municipality of Haparanda and the Nordkalotten border service, which helps companies and private individuals working across the border, expect that a decision will come in due course - and that it is negative for Sweden.

"We are preparing for a closure to occur," says Haparanda's municipal councilor Sven Tornberg (C).

May need to close some business completely

In Haparanda, more than 120 people from Finland work within the municipality. But according to Tornberg, there are up to 600 people working in health care in Tornedalen. If the border is completely closed, it will be a killing blow for the whole of Tornedalen, and the municipality of Haparanda will have to prioritize certain areas.

- We have plans for which businesses are the most necessary, which areas you need to lower your level of ambition and which areas you can close down your business completely, says Sven Tornberg.

He continues:

- The problem is that there is no help available. The infection is found throughout the country so there will be disaster in health care.

"Have been on call since the first message"

Päivi Koivupalo lives in Haparanda and works as a coordinator at the Northern Calotte Border Service in Torneå. She states that around 2500 to 3000 people commute between the two countries. Like Haparanda's municipal council, she also uses the word disaster.

- Lots of people contact us. It feels like I have had on-call reception since the first message came that Finland restricts mobility.

For example, she tells of a company in Haparanda where ten of their workers live in Finland. Five of them could manage their jobs remotely, but the rest are needed to keep production going.

- And if no one comes across the border, there is no health care. It would be hit hard, because from where should they find labor? says Päivi Koivupalo, coordinator at the Border Police Service.