New regional restrictions on bar, restaurant begins

The government on Friday decided to impose further restrictions on food and beverage service businesses in some regions against the backdrop of the worsening coronavirus situation.

The government has amended the decree in this regard and the decree will enter into force on 15 August (Sunday), said the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health in a press release.

Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses will be applicable in the regions and cities that are at the community transmission phase of the epidemic.

The regions are Southwest Finland, Pirkanmaa and Kymenlaakso, and Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen from 14 August and Satakunta from 15 August.

Food and beverage service businesses may serve alcoholic beverages between 7.00 and 22.00 and be open between 5.00 and 23.00.

Food and beverage service businesses that primarily serve alcoholic beverages are restricted to only half of their normal number of customer seats. This applies not only to indoor areas but also, as a new restriction, to outdoors areas.

Other food and beverage service businesses are restricted to 75 per cent of their normal number of customer seats indoors and outdoors.

All customers must have their own seat at a table or similar in both indoor and outdoor spaces.

Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses will be applicable in the regions and cities that are at the acceleration phase of the epidemic.

The regions are Kanta-Häme, Päijät-Häme, South Karelia, North Savo, North Karelia, Central Finland, South Ostrobothnia, Ostrobothnia, Central Ostrobothnia, North Ostrobothnia and Kainuu, and the city of Rovaniemi and those parts of Uusimaa that are outside Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen.

From Saturday 14 August, food and beverage service businesses may serve alcoholic beverages between 7.00 and 00.00 and be open between 5.00 and 1.00.

Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses in the regions of Åland, South Savo and Lapland, excluding the city of Rovaniemi, from 14 August will not have separate restrictions on the number of customers or on licensing and opening hours.

An exception to this applies to food and beverage service businesses in Åland. These businesses may serve alcoholic beverages between 7.00 and 00.00 and be open between 5.00 and 1.00.