Helsinki, Dec 17 (IANS): Finland has ordered compulsory PCR tests for arrivals from high-risk areas to curb the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.The policy took effect immediately.

From next Tuesday people arriving from any country outside the European Union or the Schengen area must provide both a negative Covid-19 test that is not more than 48 hours old, and proof of being fully vaccinated.

The requirements do not apply to Finnish nationals, foreign residents in Finland, or transit travelers not leaving the airport, Xinhua news agency reported.

More than 10,500 new Covid-19 cases were recorded in Finland between December 6 and 12, according to official figures. The incidence of new infections has continued to climb over the last 14 days, reaching 360 per 100,000 inhabitants at the end of last week.

By December 15, 87.4 per cent of people in Finland above the age of 12 years had received at least one vaccine dose, 82.9 per cent at least two vaccine doses, and 11.5 per cent three vaccine doses, official figures show.