Govt closes all educational institutions till April 13 to contain coronavirus

The government on Monday declared a state of emergency in the country following the outbreak of coronavirus and decided to close down all the educational institutions from Wednesday to April 13.

Prime Minister Sanna Marin made the announcements from a press conference in the afternoon after holding a cabinet meeting as a move to contain the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.

The daycare centres, however, will remain open but the parents were urged to keep the children at home, if possible.

The Prime Minister said that the government would bring emergency powers law before the parliament on Tuesday.

The government, in a statement said that President Sauli Niinistö and the government already agreed that emergency situation has been prevailing in the country following the coronavirus pandemic.

All national and municipal museums, theatres, the National Opera, cultural venues, libraries, mobile libraries, services for customers and researchers at the National Archives, hobby and leisure centres, swimming pools and other sports facilities, youth centres, clubs, organisations’ meeting rooms, day care services for the elderly, rehabilitative work facilities and workshops will be closed.

Private and third-sector operators and religious communities are advised to do the same.

Visits to housing services for the elderly and other at-risk groups will be prohibited.Visitors will be banned from care institutions, health care units and hospitals, with the exception of asymptomatic family members of children and critically ill individuals, family members of those in hospice care and spouses or support persons in the maternity ward, who will be permitted to visit on a case-by-case basis.

News agency Xinhua adds: Finnish borders will be closed for passenger transport. Marin said "preparations are starting" for it, and there would be exceptions in the northern land border for work commuters.

Finnish citizens staying abroad were urged to come back. They would face a 14-day quarantine upon arrival.

The government underlined the need to protect risk groups, especially old people. It urges persons over 70 years old to avoid contact with other people, if possible, but added that the rule regarding over-70-years old does not concern the country's leadership and municipal leaders.

Finance Minister Katri Kulmuni, who also spoke on the occasion said the government will launch a 5 billion-euro package to alleviate the impacts of the outbreak on the country's economy.

It includes loan facilities of the state financing service. Municipalities will be given additional assistance.

This is the first time that extraordinary powers legislation is used by Finland since World War II. The activation of Emergency Powers Act would allow the government to limit the rights of citizens, such as restricting the rights of movement.