2-week extension of COVID restrictions recommended

The Metropolitan Area coronavirus coordination group recommended that the ongoing regional restrictive measures be extended for two more weeks following the worsening coronavirus situation, said the City of Helsinki in a press release on Tuesday.

The number of coronavirus infections is growing rapidly in the Metropolitan Area and there are now more infections than ever before during the epidemic, the group observed.

The coronavirus coordination group considers that the continuation of the restrictive measures in place in the region is necessary after expiry of the ongoing restrictions on 10 January due to the deteriorating epidemic situation and the increase in the loads placed on hospitals.

Positive COVID-19 tests account for more than 50 per cent of all tests being made, although test times may not have been available for all those displaying symptoms. The loads placed on hospitals has also risen significantly.

HUS (the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa) had about 60 patients in the hospital during the Christmas week - now there are currently 110 patients. The number of patients in primary health care has also increased significantly in all municipalities.

The municipalities and HUS are preparing to reduce non-emergency activities so that resources can be focused on vaccinations, care for coronavirus patients, and other urgent and necessary care and nursing.

At the same time, the high rates of infection mean that more and more people of working age are forced away from work due to illness or exposure. The high levels of infection also pose a clear risk to safeguarding the critical functions of society when significant numbers of staff are absent at the same time.

The group recommended that restrictions continue to apply to the indoor sports facilities, public saunas, spas, swimming halls, dance venues and facilities for choral singing, amateur theatre or other premises for similar group activities, amusement and theme parks, fairs (circuses) and indoor facilities of zoos.

The group recommends that the new restrictions should not apply to guided recreational activities for those born in 2003 or later. In addition, the group recommends that the use of swimming pools could be permitted for holders of a special swimming card.

The current public event restrictions apply in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area until 17 January. It is recommended that the strict restrictions on indoor public events be extended for an additional two weeks thereafter.

The Cities of Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa, and the Regional State Administrative Agency for Southern Finland established the Metropolitan Area coronavirus coordination group on 10 September 2020.

In line with a regional operating model devised by Finland’s Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the group aims to strengthen the formation of a common situational assessment and to coordinate and prepare local and regional measures.

The City of Helsinki is responsible for organising the group’s operations.

In addition to the Cities of Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa, the City of Kauniainen also follows the restrictions and recommendations of the coordination group.