Movement restrictions on cards, restaurant closure until 18 April

The government on Monday at a meeting discussed the possible adoption of restrictions on movement against the backdrop of worsening coronavirus situation, said an official press release.

The preparation of the restrictions will continue at an informal meeting of the government on Tuesday evening at 6:00 pm.

The government will also inform the parties in Parliament about the restrictions at 16.00.

The government decided to propose that the closure of restaurants be continued by three weeks until 18 April.

A related proposal will be submitted to Parliament on Tuesday.

The closure is to continue under the same conditions as the current closure. Restaurants and other food and beverage service businesses will remain closed to customers in areas where the COVID-19 epidemic situation is the most serious.

Provisions on the areas of application will be laid down by government decree. Food and beverage service business will stay closed to customers in the regions where the epidemic is in the acceleration or community transmission phase.

The regions are Uusimaa, Southwest Finland, Satakunta, Kanta-Häme, Pirkanmaa, Päijät-Häme, Kymenlaakso, South Karelia, South Savo, Central Finland, Ostrobothnia, North Ostrobothnia, Lapland and Åland

The epidemic situation in South Ostrobothnia will be re-examined by Tuesday.

North Karelia, Central Ostrobothnia, Kainuu and North Savo regions, however, were kept out of the closure.

The food and beverage service businesses to remain temporarily closed will include cafés, restaurants, bars and nightclubs that are open to the public.