The Government will not issue a general recommendation on the use of face masks, but considers that masks can be used to protect other people in places and situations where it is not possible to avoid close contact. Such situations may be encountered, for example, in public transport during rush hour where distances cannot be observed and where people stay for longer periods of time.

Businesses in the food and beverage service sector can receive support for job retention and the re-employment of employees once their activities resume, along with compensation for the restrictions on their activities due to COVID-19. The support and compensation will be granted by the KEHA Centre, which provides development and administrative services for the Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres) and the Employment and Economic Development Offices (TE Offices).

Finland’s Agenda2030 country report (Voluntary National Review) is now complete and will be published on 3 June. The report describes Finland’s progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and in implementing the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development over the past four years. Finland last reported to the UN on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in 2016.

The crisis follow-up group chaired by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance Martti Hetemäki submitted the second part of its report to the Government on Monday 1 June. The second-phase report of the working group, which consists of the Ministries’ Permanent Secretaries, deals with the societal impacts of the COVID-19 crisis in the short and long term. The report also presents a plan for a post-crisis management and reconstruction strategy.

The restrictions put in place to mitigate the COVID-19 epidemic are being phased out gradually and in a controlled manner starting on 1 June. The aim is to curb the epidemic while minimising the adverse impact on people, businesses, society and the exercise of fundamental rights. From the beginning of June, certain restrictions will be alleviated, including the restrictions on gatherings, the organisation of events and the opening of public spaces. At the same time, restaurants and cafes will also be reopened to customers with certain restrictions. In line with the Government's decision, travel within Finland is allowed as long as health and safety guidelines relating to coronavirus are observed.