4 more regions come under restrictions on restaurants, bars

The government on Thursday extended the ongoing restrictions on restaurants and bars to four more regions – Kainuu, North Karelia, Central Ostrobothnia, and North Savo – effective from Saturday, against the backdrop of the worsening coronavirus situation.

The government brought amendment to the decree in this regard, said the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health in a press release.

The restrictions that previously applied to regions in the community transmission phase of the epidemic would be introduced throughout the country.

For areas in the baseline and acceleration phases, the additional restrictions will be in effect for the duration of the restaurant lockdown.

The decree will enter into force on 13 March at 00.00. The decree would now apply to areas where restaurants are allowed to remain open, i.e., those not affected by the lockdown.

The alcoholic beverage service businesses in Kainuu, North Karelia, Central Ostrobothni,a and North Savo will be restricted to half the normal number of seats.

For other restaurants, 75 per cent of customer seats may be in use. Restaurants may serve alcoholic beverages until 22.00 and may remain open between 5.00 and 23.00.

Earlier, the government on 8 March announced a three-week state of emergency, which entered into force at midnight between 8 March and 9 March.

Following the legal procedure, cafes, bars, restaurants, and nightclubs remain closed for three weeks until 28 March in the accelerating and community transmission phase of the pandemic.

Restaurants must be closed to customers in Uusimaa, Southwest Finland, Satakunta, Kanta-HämePirkanmaa, Päijät-Häme, Kymenlaakso, South Karelia, South Savo, Central Finland, South Ostrobothnia, Ostrobothnia, Northern Ostrobothnia, Lapland, and Åland.

The regions of North Karelia, Central Ostrobothnia, Kainuu, and North Savo were excluded from the closure at that time.