Changes to restrictions on food and beverage service businesses — restrictions to be introduced in Central Ostrobothnia
The Government has amended the decree restricting the activities of food and beverage service businesses due to the COVID-19 epidemic. As a result of changes in the epidemiological situation in the region of Central Ostrobothnia, the restrictions for the community transmission phase of the epidemic will be applied to food and beverage service businesses in the region.
The amendment to the decree will enter into force on 15 October 2021.
Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses in the regions of Southwest Finland, Satakunta, Päijät-Häme, Ostrobothnia and Central Ostrobothnia, and in Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen, which are all at the community transmission phase of the epidemic, from 15 October
Food and beverage service businesses may serve alcoholic beverages between 7.00 and 00.00 and be open between 5.00 and 1.00.
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.
Parliament is currently discussing a government proposal according to which food and beverage service businesses could, as an alternative to the restrictions on food and beverage services businesses laid down in the decree, require their customers to present a COVID-19 passport to enter their premises. Information on the entry into force and application of such provisions will be provided separately.
Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses elsewhere in the country, i.e. in regions where the epidemic is at the acceleration or baseline phase, from 15 October
No separate restrictions on the number of customers or on licensing and opening hours.
The obligation to observe the general hygiene guidelines and to keep a safe distance applies in all regions.
Exceptions to restrictions remain unchanged
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.
Inquiries:
Ismo Tuominen, Senior Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, [email protected]
The Regional State Administrative Agencies will answer questions concerning the practical implementation of the restrictions.