New amendment to allow municipal health protection authorities to issue emergency warnings

The Act on Emergency Warnings will be amended to include a provision on powers of municipal health protection authorities to issue emergency warnings. The Government proposed in its session on 24 April that the President of the Republic approve the amendment to the Act on Emergency Warnings. The President of the Republic is scheduled to approve the amendment on Friday and it will enter into force on 2 May 2025.

The Act on Emergency Warnings specifies the public authorities that can issue emergency warnings. For example, municipal health protection authorities monitor the quality of water and health conditions in the water supply facilities in their area.

The new amendment will give municipal health protection authorities powers to issue emergency warnings, as they are responsible for management and provision of information in outbreaks caused by drinking water. The aim of the legislative amendment is to speed up and improve people's access to information.

Emergency warnings can be issued when the public faces threats to life or health or when property is at risk of destruction or significant damage. An all-clear may be given when the danger has passed.

Inquiries:
Linda Viitala, Chief Specialist, tel. +358 295 488 299, firstname.lastname@gov.fi