The closed Vaalimaa border station between Finland and Russia is pictured on Dec 7, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)

HELSINKI - The Finnish government has decided to continue the closure of border crossing points at the land border between Finland and Russia until Feb 11.

Mari Rantanen, the minister for 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 that 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 Jan 14.

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Already 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.