Govt mulls restrictions on movement: PM

Prime Minister Sanna Marin on Saturday said the government was preparing restrictions on movement against the backdrop of the worsening coronavirus situation.

Talking to the Yle TV1 in its Ykkösaamu (Morning breakfast) programme, she, however, said no decision has yet been made about the detail form of the restrictions, reported the national broadcaster Yle.

"We do not yet have legislation in place, but it is being prepared. Many questions remain open," the Yle report quoted the prime minister as saying.

Marin also said that the government is keeping close watch on the situation, particularly in the greater Helsinki and Turku regions.

She, however, said restrictions like requiring appointments to visit shops, as in some parts of Germany, are not in the consideration.

Earlier, on 27 February, Minister of Justice Anna-Maja Henriksson said the government was preparing to introduce a curfew in the country against the backdrop of the worsening coronavirus situation.

Talking to the Ykkösaamu programme of the national broadcaster Yle, the minister said the government was working to bring necessary amendments to the Emergency Powers Act in this regard.

She, however, said the Ministry of Justice is not involved in the procedure yet.

“The curfew is being prepared by the Prime Minister's Office, not in the Ministry of Justice,” said Henriksson.

On 1 March, Monday, the government, in cooperation with the president declared a state of emergency in Finland.

On 8 March, the parliament approved the bill and a three-week state of emergency entered into force at midnight between 8 March and 9 March.