The Finnish government has decided to extend the closure of border crossing points at the land border between Finland and Russia until February 11.

Mari Rantanen, the minister of the interior, said at a press conference on Thursday that based on information gathered by Finnish officials, there are still potential immigrants awaiting possibilities to cross the border.

Rantanen said the decision could be canceled or amended in a situation where it would no longer be necessary for repelling threats to national security and general societal order.

All border crossings on the Finnish eastern border have been closed to passenger traffic since mid-December. The decision is valid until January 14.

In mid-November, Finland closed the first border crossings as a response to illegal immigrants.

According to the government press release on Thursday, more than 900 asylum seekers have arrived in Finland via the eastern border since the start of November.

(Cover: A photo of a sealed-off road close to the Vaalimaa border checkpoint between Finland and Russia in Virolahti, Finland, December 16, 2023. /CFP)