The board of the Finnish Amateur Athletic Association (SUL) has decided that the annual Finland-Sweden Athletics International will go ahead as planned this year in Tampere on the weekend of 5-6 September.
Travel between Finland and Sweden has been restricted due to the coronavirus pandemic, with Finland still considering its neighbour to be a high-risk country.
The Ministry of Education and Culture’s working group, which considers admission criteria and procedures for special groups in emergency situations, supported the association's request for an exemption to the current entry restrictions and quarantine practices for the Swedish team.
"The ministry went through the safety plan for the event and supported SUL's request for an exemption, but set conditions for the arrangements. The event must be organised according to the given conditions," SUL CEO Harri Aalto wrote on the association's website. "However, if the position of the authorities changes regarding the organising of the event, we will respect that decision."
Project manager Pipa Turvanen of the Ministry of Employment and the Economy told Yle that her ministry had also given the green light for the event to go ahead.
"In the same way as footballers, athletes are also treated as a special group. When health safety risks are minimised, athletes participating in the Finland-Sweden international match can enter the country. This requires compliance with specific health safety procedures," Turvanen said.
Coronavirus tests and daily flights for Swedisgh team
The conditions set out by the ministry include requiring the Swedish team to fly into Finland on a charter flight on both days of the event, and not stay overnight in the region. The flights are to arrive at Pirkkala airport, located about 15 kilometres from Tampere city centre. From there, the team will be taken directly to Ratina Stadium, and then back to the airport.
"The Ministry also required that the Swedish team’s athletes and staff members undertake a coronavirus test no more than 72 hours before arriving in Finland. The test result must be negative. A person with respiratory or other flu symptoms is not allowed to participate in the international match," Aalto says.
The safety of spectators at Ratina Stadium has also been carefully considered, Aalto added.
"There are a limited number of tickets on sale and safety distances are ensured with empty benches. Each area will have its own entrance, toilet facilities and a sales point," Aalto said.