Govt decides to ease nationwide coronavirus restrictions

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health on Monday made a decision to discontinue the countywide tiers of COVID-19 prevention measures, said an official press release.

Going forward, COVID-19 prevention in Finland will focus on regional restrictions and recommendations.

The ministry has instructed all the areas to discontinue the additional measures related to the tiers, such as the restrictions imposed on gatherings of more than six persons.

Although the tiers of prevention measures are discontinued, areas are instructed to continue to follow the recommendations and restrictions corresponding to the phase of the epidemic in each area.

The action plan for implementing the government’s hybrid strategy divides the epidemic into three phases: baseline, acceleration phase, and community transmission phase.

The biggest changes in the measures will take place in areas where the epidemic is in the acceleration phase. In these areas, public premises, such as libraries and museums, could be reopened, outdoor group leisure activities could be allowed, and public events organised with the number of participants being restricted.

The competent authorities in each area will decide on the restrictions and recommendations based on both their own consideration and the existing legislation.

The ministry, however, emphasised that it is necessary to adopt a systematic approach and to assess the situation in a broad and comprehensive manner when lifting the restrictions.

To be able to dismantle the restrictions in a controlled manner, it is important for the regional authorities to draw up their own plans. When lifting the restrictions, it is imperative to take account of the principle of children and young people first and to continue to behave safely.

The ministry of Social Affairs and Health has started updating the action plan and implementing the hybrid strategy and the recommendations relating to the different phases of the epidemic.

The recommendations will comply with the current action plan until it is updated.