Lockdown bill pulled back as parliamentary body rejects it

The government on Wednesday withdrew the proposal it submitted to parliament on 25 April to impose restrictions on the freedom of movement in Greater Helsinki and Turku regions, and mandatory use of facemask against the backdrop of the worsening coronavirus situation.

The government took the decision at a special cabinet meeting in the evening and notified parliament of withdrawal of the proposal in a communication immediately after the Parliamentary Constitutional Law Committee had rejected the proposal, terming it unconstitutional, said an official press release.

Earlier, on Wednesday, the parliamentary Constitutional Committee reviewed the bill and came4 up with a statement on it, remarking that the objectives of the government’s proposal could be considered very significant.

However, in the committee’s view, the underlying solution chosen in the government proposal to prohibit movement in its entirety is contrary to the requirement of proportionality, given the epidemiological reasons presented to it in the proposal and it cannot be considered necessary in the manner referred to in the Article 23 of the Constitution.

The Constitutional Law Committee considered it essential and good legislative practice that, especially when significant changes are proposed to a far-reaching government proposal that have an essential impact on the underlying solutions in it, the preparation of the matter should be assigned to the government.

As per the government proposal, the restrictions would be introduced by separate government decrees in areas where the epidemic can no longer be prevented using the existing measures.

In areas where the restrictions on movement are in force, people would only be allowed to leave their homes or places of residence for essential reasons or for outdoor recreation.

People could move around outdoors for recreational or fitness purposes with members of the same household or at most two other persons. While doing outdoor activities, it is important to keep a safe distance from other people. Walking pets would be allowed.