Shipping company Tallink Silja announced on Monday, August 3, that it planned to temporarily suspend ticket sales for sailings between Stockholm Sweden and Turku Finland onboard Baltic Princess ferry.
The decision means customers will not be able to depart on trips from Stockholm.
The company based its decision on travel restrictions still in place between Sweden and Finland over the COVID situation.
However, passengers will still be able to embark on return voyages from Stockholm to Turku and the reverse - once travelers are able to ensure they are entitled to sail between the two countries.
According to official guidelines, only permanent residents and returning Finnish citizens are allowed to travel from Sweden to Finland. People travelling for work or other essential purposes can make the voyage.
Tallink said the measure would remain in force until Finland lifts restrictions on travel to Sweden.
In late June, the government of Finland said that infection rates in the neighboring country needed to fall before restrictions could be eased. Sweden features the highest per capita rate of infections and deaths from COVID-19 in the Nordics.
The cruise company said it would not fill ships to maximum capacity, but would only sell 75% of available tickets to ensure distancing could be maintained.