Restaurants, bars reopen, cultural activities resume from today
Published : 01 Jun 2020, 01:25
Updated : 01 Jun 2020, 10:13
Restaurants, bars and indoor cultural activities will resume today (Monday) as the ongoing state of emergency will be relaxed partially as per the prior decision of the government.
The government on 4 May decided to relax the state of emergency partially from 1 June, which was declared on 16 March, following the coronavirus outbreak.
The decision was taken to curb the epidemic and minimise its adverse impact on people, businesses, the society and the exercise of fundamental rights, said an official press release on Sunday.
The restrictions on gatherings, organisation of events and opening of public spaces will be partially relaxed from today. At the same time, restaurants and cafes will also be reopened to customers with certain restrictions.
In line with the government’s decision, travel within Finland is allowed as long as health and safety guidelines relating to coronavirus are observed.
Public events with a maximum of 50 persons will be allowed as of today. The restrictions apply to public events and public meetings organised indoors and outdoors.
Restaurants and cafes throughout the country will be reopened to customers with certain restrictions.
Businesses serving food or beverages can remain open between 6.00 and 23.00 hours. The serving of alcoholic beverages is permitted only between 9.00 and 22.00 hours. The maximum number of customers inside restaurants is limited to half of the normal number.
Public meetings include demonstrations and other events that are open to all and that are organised to exercise the right of freedom of assembly.
Public events include entertainment events, competitions, performances or other similar events that are open to the public.
The government recommends that people comply with guidelines on safe distances and hygiene at these events.
However, the meetings and events referred to in the legislation do not include, for instance, the use of public sports facilities or going to a shopping centre.
Public events and public meetings of more than 50 and a maximum of 500 persons in indoor and enclosed outdoor spaces can be organised under special arrangements.
The regional state administrative agencies require that such meetings and events be organised in accordance with the guidelines on the prevention of coronavirus infections issued on 14 May by the education and culture ministry and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.
Public premises that have been closed will reopen in a controlled manner starting from the beginning of June. These include 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, rehabilitative work facilities and workshops, among others.