THL urges people to watch Euro 2020 at home

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) recommended that people should watch the 2020 UEFA European Football Championship which takes place in June and July.

The THL continues to take the view that all but the most essential travel, both foreign and domestic, should be avoided because of the coronavirus epidemic. The instructions will be also applicable for the European Football Championship, said the THL in a press release on Monday.

Finland, which is taking part in the championship, will play its first match on 12 June against Denmark in Copenhagen. On 16 June Finland faces Russia in St. Petersburg and on 21 June Finland will play against Belgium, also in St. Petersburg.

“It is fantastic that Finland will get to play in Euro 2020. However, the coronavirus pandemic has not gone anywhere, and the same recommendations apply to Euro 2020 as they do to all travel. That is why, unfortunately, it is better to watch the championship at home”, said THL Director Mika Salminen, a confessed football fan himself.

Although the coronavirus situation has eased in Finland in recent weeks, the incidence of the disease remains high in many other countries.

In St. Petersburg, the incidence rate is currently 187 cases per 100,000 people, while in Finland it is 52. In Denmark, the incidence rate is 200 cases per 100,000 people.

“Travelling to the matches entails a significant risk of infection: even though the number of spectators has been limited, there will be thousands of spectators at the stadiums, and some of them could come from countries where the infection rate is high. With bad luck, a sport tourist returning to Finland could infect friends and family, for example”, said Salminen.

“Even someone who has been vaccinated once could get an infection and can spread the disease forward”, he added.

Several countries, including Finland, are restricting entry because of the coronavirus. For example, Denmark currently requires arriving travellers to produce a certificate of a negative result of a coronavirus test that has been taken no more than 48 hours before departure. A second test must be taken within 24 hours of arrival, excluding those under the age of 12.

Russian officials have not yet revealed the conditions under which football tourists will be allowed into the country.

THL has been in contact with the Football Association of Finland concerning Euro 2020. The aim is to cooperate to ensure that those travelling to the tournament will be instructed on how to protect against the coronavirus during the trip.

In addition, travellers will be informed about testing and other practices when crossing borders.