Bar, restaurants in Central Finland, Rovaniemi added to restriction list

Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses in community transmission areas will be introduced in the region of Central Finland and the City of Rovaniemi.

The government on Thursday amended the decree restricting the activities of food and beverage service businesses due to the COVID-19 epidemic, said the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health in a press release.

The amendment to the decree will enter into force on 4 December at 00.00.

New restrictions on food and beverage service businesses in the regions of Southwest Finland, Satakunta, Päijät-Häme, Ostrobothnia, South Ostrobothnia, Central Ostrobothnia, North Ostrobothnia, Pirkanmaa, Uusimaa, Kymenlaakso, Kanta-Häme, South Karelia and Central Finalnd and in the Hospital District of Länsi-Pohja, which are all community transmission areas will imposed from 4 December at 00.00.

As per the new restrictions, serving of alcoholic beverages in all food and beverage service businesses will end at 17.00. Such businesses may keep their premises open to customers from 05.00 to 18.00. Alcoholic beverages sold before the serving of alcohol ends may be consumed within one hour after the licensing hours have ended.

Food and beverage service businesses will be allowed to serve alcoholic beverages after 17.00 only by introducing the COVID-19 passport.

Businesses that do not serve alcoholic beverages may be open between 5.00 and 1.00. For example, fast food restaurants and cafes may remain open, just as they are now. Bars and restaurants may also be open between 5.00 and 1.00 if they do not serve alcoholic beverages.

Food and beverage service businesses that primarily serve alcoholic beverages may have only half the normal number of customer seats in use in their indoor and outdoor premises. Other food and beverage service are restricted to 75 per cent of their normal number of customer seats indoors.

All customers must have their own seats at a table or similar in indoor premises.

Businesses who require all customers to present a COVID-19 passport are exempt from the above-mentioned restrictions.