State of emergency starts with restaurants, bars closed until 28/3

The three-week state of emergency announced by the government on 1 March enters into force at midnight between 8 March, Monday and 9 March, Tuesday.

Parliament on Monday approved the bill placed by the government in this regard.

Earlier, on 5 March, the government, against the backdrop of the worsening coronavirus situation, tabled the bill at parliament with the provision of introducing the powers laid down in the Emergency Powers Act.

President Sauli Niinistö signed the bill into law on Monday after its approval by parliament and the law enters into force from zero hours of Tuesday and will remain in force until 28 March, said a government press release.

Following the legal procedure, cafes, bars, restaurants, and nightclubs will 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 are excluded from the closure.

The restriction also affects outdoor terraces.

Only restaurants that are not open to the public are exempt from the closure. It therefore does not affect canteens in residential homes for older people or staff restaurants that are not open to other customers, for example.

During the closure, restaurants and cafes will still be allowed to sell portions directly to the customers for takeaway or deliver them either themselves or using other service providers.

However, there is no curfew at this movement so that the restrictions on outdoor movement are not applicable now.

The restrictions include expanding remote learning to students of class seven and above.

The closure of restaurant and bar will not apply to areas where the epidemic is at a stable level.

Daycares and early age education centres, and schools up to grade six would remain open.

Students of class seven to nine, of upper secondary schools, and students of vocational education aged more than 16 will have to switch to remote learning.

Indoor sports will be suspended for adults and only children bellow 12 years will be allowed to exercise indoor sports and hobbies.