Govt mulls restrictions, extending schools´ Christmas holiday

Prime Minister Sanna Marin on Sunday said that the government will decide about reintroducing COVID emergency in its meeting scheduled for Tuesday against the backdrop of worsening pandemic situation in the country.

Talking to the Yle Radio in an interview, the Premier also said that the government is thinking about extending the upcoming Christmas vacation at the schools and the Tuesday´s meeting will take decision in this regard.

Marin underscored that any new restrictions would need a better understanding of its broader impacts on society.

She, however, said that the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) has yet to put forward any official recommendation in this regard.

The THL on Friday reissued nationwide recommendation on using face masks, as COVID-19 infection rates are rising in the country due to the spread of the Omicron variant.

According to data released by the THL, Finland reported another 2,079 COVID-19 cases and eight deaths on Friday. Till Friday the country has recorded a total of 213,318 cases and 1,454 deaths.

A total of 34 cases of the Omicron variant have been detected in Finland.