Ministers for health and social services propose lighter COVID-19 restrictions in some areas
On 4 June 2021, the Ministerial Working Group on Health and Social Services discussed the COVID-19 situation in Finland and the restrictions in place. They recommend that certain restrictions should be eased. The Government is due to decide on the matter urgently in the week starting 7 June.
The previous week saw clear improvement in the epidemic situation in Finland. The ministerial group decided to propose that restrictions be eased as follows:
- In areas where the epidemic is at a stable level, serving alcoholic beverages should be allowed between 7.00 and 1.00, and food and beverage service establishments could be allowed to receive customers from 5.00 to 2.00.
- The specific ban on karaoke and dancing should be lifted at this level.
- The requirement for customers to be seated at a table could be removed when they are served outdoors. This would make the provision of catering services possible at public events in particular.
- In areas in the acceleration phase, the specific ban on karaoke and dancing could be lifted.
- In areas in the community transmission phase, the opening hours and licensing hours of restaurants whose main business is other that serving alcohol should be extended.
- Serving alcohol could be allowed between 7.00 and 20.00.
- Opening hours could range from 5.00 to 21.00.
Possible amendments to restrictions will continue to be considered weekly at the government session, as required by the evolution of the epidemiological situation in different areas. Epidemiological situation allowing, the next extensive overall review of the restrictions is due to take place in the week starting 21 June 2021. In the same week, it will also be estimated if the requirement for customers to be seated at a table could be removed when served outdoors, subject to the prevailing epidemiological situation.
Decisions will be made by the Government urgently in the week starting 7 June on the basis of the proposals outlined in the ministerial working group.
Inquiries:
Timo Lehtinen, Special Adviser to the Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services Krista Kiuru, [email protected]
Ismo Tuominen, Senior Ministerial Adviser, [email protected]