Finland in pain as border closure blocks Russian tourists

FILE - This March 17, 2020 file photo, shows incoming traffic to Finland at the Nuijamaa border station in between Finland and Russia in Lappeenranta, Finland. The rare closure of Finland's border with Russia amid the COVID-19 pandemic has hit hard the Nordic nation's South Karelia border region, putting an abrupt stop to visits by nearly two million Russian tourists to the area annually and depriving local businesses and entrepreneurs millions of euros every month. (Lauri Heino/Lehtikuva via AP, File)

FILE - This Nov. 19, 2013 file photo shows the founder and CEO of Laplandia Market, Mohamad Darwich, in Lappeenranta, Finland, The rare closure of Finland's border with Russia amid the COVID-19 pandemic has hit hard the Nordic nation's South Karelia border region, putting an abrupt stop to visits by nearly two million Russian tourists to the area annually and depriving local businesses and entrepreneurs millions of euros every month. (Hannu Rissanen/Lehtikuva via AP, File)

FILE - This Nov. 19, 2013 file photo shows Laplandia Market near the Vaalimaa Finland-Russia border crossing point in Lappeenranta, Finland. The rare closure of Finland's border with Russia amid the COVID-19 pandemic has hit hard the Nordic nation's South Karelia border region, putting an abrupt stop to visits by nearly two million Russian tourists to the area annually and depriving local businesses and entrepreneurs millions of euros every month. (Hannu Rissanen/Lehtikuva via AP, File)