Restrictions on bar, restaurant likely to go March 1

The government has decided to continue the restrictions on restaurants and bars until the end of February against the backdrop of the coronavirus situation in the country, said the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health in a press release on Friday.

The government amended the restively in this regard on Friday and also decided that the restrictions on the use of the COVID-19 passport will continue until the end of February.

If the situation continues to develop favourably and there is no risk of exceeding the capacity of the healthcare system, restaurant restrictions could be lifted completely as of 1 March for all food and beverage service businesses.

The decree will apply to all public events and customer premises subject to existing restrictions.

Regional authorities will decide what restrictions are in place in their areas. The decree will apply to the areas of the hospital districts that meet the characteristics of community transmission areas.

Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses that are necessary to prevent the spread of the epidemic will be in place in all community transmission areas.

The restrictions for community transmission areas will apply to the regions of Uusimaa, Southwest Finland, Satakunta, Kanta-Häme, Pirkanmaa, Päijät-Häme, Kainuu, Kymenlaakso, South Karelia, North Karelia, Central Finland, Ostrobothnia, South Ostrobothnia, Central Ostrobothnia, North Ostrobothnia, Lapland, South Savo, North Savo and Åland.

Serving of alcoholic beverages in all food and beverage service businesses will end at 23.00. Such businesses may keep their premises open to food and beverage service customers until midnight. The restrictions on opening and licensing hours will be eased for all food and beverage service businesses.

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 businesses may seat 75 per cent of their normal number of customers inside their establishments. The restrictions on the number of customer seats do not apply in Åland.

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

The restrictions laid down in the decree do not apply to the activities of staff restaurants or to takeaway sales of food to customers.

The restrictions on opening hours do not apply to food and beverage service businesses on vessels and aircraft that operate between Finland and other countries or abroad or to food and beverage service businesses that operate at distribution stations for liquid fuels.