Restrictions during the coronavirus epidemic
Over the course of the winter, the COVID-19 situation in Finland has deteriorated rapidly due to the easily transmissible Omicron variant. This has led to an increased need for hospital care and placed a significant burden on the healthcare system.
On 22nd of December, the Government has issued a resolution on the adoption of the national emergency brake mechanism. In managing the COVID-19 epidemic, Finland has returned to extensive restrictions and recommendations which are guided by national legislation.
- Emergency brake to be introduced to tackle COVID-19 – aiming to slow down the spread of the epidemic | Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, 22nd December 2021
- Emergency brake mechanism
The COVID-19 vaccine protects against the most severe form of the disease. Given the current situation, it is still essential to increase vaccination coverage and strengthen vaccine protection.
In addition to improving vaccination coverage, we need effective national and regional restrictions and recommendations that reduce encounters between people in order to mitigate the burden on hospitals and ensure that there is time to administer third doses of the vaccine. It is also important to follow the guidelines on good hygiene: wash your hands, wear a mask and keep a safe distance from others.
Restrictions primarily at regional and local levels
The authorities regularly reassess the need for restrictions. Further spread of the COVID-19 epidemic is being prevented primarily through local and regional measures. The regional guidelines, restrictions and recommendations in place depend on the epidemiological situation in the region in question.
The competent authorities in each region will decide on the recommendations and restrictions in force in line with the Communicable Diseases Act.
You can find out about the situation in your area on the website of your hospital district or municipality.
COVID-19 passport
Restaurants or event organisers can require their customers to present a COVID-19 passport if the event or premises in question are subject to restrictions. Such restrictions can include restrictions on opening hours or on the number of participants at events.
The COVID-19 passport will not, however, serve as an alternative to restrictions in situations where the authorities have closed the premises or prohibited the public event altogether owing to the COVID-19 situation
Restrictions to use of COVID-19 passport
On 28 December, the Government adopted a decree on temporary restrictions to the use of the COVID-19 passport. By virtue of the decree, the use of the COVID-19 passport will be restricted between 28 December 2021 and 31 January 2022, when it cannot be used as an alternative to regional restrictions on certain public events and customer premises.
The decision will apply to all public events and customer premises that are subject to existing restrictions. Regional authorities will decide what restrictions are in place in their areas. The derogation to the use of the COVID-19 passport will apply to the areas that meet the criteria for the community transmission phase.
- COVID-19 passport | Kela Kanta service
- The COVID-19 passport | Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
- Frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 passport (available in Finnish and in Swedish) | Regional State Administrative Agency
- Frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 certificate reader | Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare
More information on current restrictions and recommendations
Hygiene and safe distances
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare has put together guidelines on safe distances and good hygiene during the COVID-19 epidemic.
- Transmission and protection – coronavirus | thl.fi
- COVID-19 tests and avoiding contacts in regions with a testing and tracing backlog | thl.fi
Face masks
Face masks should be worn in all public indoor places and in public transport throughout the country. The recommendation applies to both vaccinated and unvaccinated persons.
National and regional recommendations on the use of masks are issued by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare. Municipalities may issue broader recommendations, and employers are responsible for the use of masks in their own operations.
Events, gatherings and meetings
The hygiene requirements for events are in force. Restrictions may also restrict the number of customers or prohibit events altogether. The restrictions are based on an assessment of the risk of infection at the event.
Decisions on restrictions concerning events and gatherings are made by a municipality, or by a Regional State Administrative Agency if the decisions apply to several municipalities.
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health advises areas experiencing community transmission to prohibit all public events. However, restrictions on public events outdoors may also take into account the possibility of organising the events so that participants can avoid close contact with others.
Private events
Municipalities may issue recommendations on the organisation of private events in their areas.
In areas experiencing community transmission, people should meet with no more than five individuals outside their immediate family at a time. People attending private events indoors are advised to take a home test before meeting with individuals outside their immediate family.
Public premises ( incl. libraries, museums and swimming pools)
The general hygiene requirements are in force. The use of premises may be restricted or premises may be closed. The restrictions are based on an assessment of the risk of infection in the premise.
The use of public premises is decided by a municipality or another authority responsible for the premises.
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health advises areas experiencing community transmission to close facilities intended for customers and participants in events or activities.
- Regional COVID-19 situation and restrictions on the hospital district websites
- Which operators and premises fall under the scope of decisions on closure? | avi.fi
Business premises or other facilities intended for the use by customers (incl. gyms, joint facilities in shopping centres and indoor recreational facilities)
The general hygiene requirements are in force. The use of premises may be restricted or premises may be closed. The restrictions are based on an assessment of the risk of infection in the premise.
Decisions on restrictions are made by a municipality, or by a Regional State Administrative Agency if the decisions apply to several municipalities.
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health advises areas experiencing community transmission to close facilities intended for customers and participants in events or activities.
Group hobbies
The general hygiene requirements are in force. The use of recreational facilities may be restricted or facilities may be closed. The restrictions are based on an assessment of the risk of infection in the premise.
Decisions on restrictions are made by a municipality, or by a Regional State Administrative Agency if the decisions apply to several municipalities.
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health advises areas experiencing community transmission to close facilities intended for customers and participants in events or activities.
The Ministry of Education and Culture and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare have prepared guidelines for organising leisure activities in a health secure manner:
Children’s group hobbies
Restrictions targeted at children should only be imposed as a last resort. The general hygiene requirements are in force. The use of recreational facilities may be restricted or facilities may be closed, if the COVID-19 situation so requires.
Decisions on restrictions are made by a municipality, or by a Regional State Administrative Agency if the decisions apply to several municipalities. Regional State Administrative Agencies and municipalities may exclude certain age groups, such as children, from the decision.
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health advises areas experiencing community transmission to assess the possibility of suspending indoor recreational activities for children and young people. However, it is important to bear in mind that restrictions on children and young people should only be implemented as a last resort. In its meeting on 18 January 2022, the Government decided not to extend its recommendation on recreational activities for children and young people past 31 January 2022.
The Ministry of Education and Culture and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare have prepared guidelines for organising leisure activities in a health secure manner:
Early childhood education and care and teaching
Restrictions targeted at children should only be imposed as a last resort. The education provider, i.e. a municipality, the state, a registered association or a foundation, may decide on transition to exceptional teaching arrangements.
The Ministry of Education and Culture and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare have updated guidelines for providing education in a health secure manner:
Educational institutions and higher education institutions
The education provider may decide on transition to exceptional teaching arrangements.
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health recommends switching to distance learning in higher education in areas experiencing community transmission. In its negotiations on 18 January 2022, the Government decided not to extend this recommendation past 31 January 2022.
The Ministry of Education and Culture and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare have updated guidelines for providing education in a health secure manner:
The Government recommends that workplaces in areas in the community transmission phase switch to remote work when possible.
A recommendation to switch to remote work is issued by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Ministry of Finance and Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare at the national and regional level; municipalities or joint municipal authorities at the local level. Employers are responsible for remote work practices in their own operations.
The general hygiene requirements are in force. Public transport service providers are responsible for preventing the spread of the coronavirus disease.
Decisions to temporarily limit the number of passengers is made by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency on the recommendation of the municipality or hospital district.
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health advises areas experiencing community transmission to restrict the number of passengers in public transport as necessary.
The hygiene requirements for restaurants are in force. The opening hours and number of customer seats in restaurants continue to be restricted.
The Government decides on the restrictions based on a proposal from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Regional state administrative agencies monitor compliance.
Travel to Finland
Travel restrictions are still in force.
The Government decides on restrictions on entry, the border authorities monitor compliance. The municipalities are responsible for health security at the borders based on instructions from the Regional State Administrative Agencies and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.
Travel from Finland
All countries may restrict travel because of the COVID-19 situation. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs issues travel recommendations.
Ministries' press releases
Government wants to continue entrepreneurs’ temporary right to labour market support
Physicians no longer required to submit communicable disease notifications of COVID-19 infections
Nearly 55,500 new COVID-19 cases in Finland, burden on specialised healthcare still high, number of people vaccinated with third dose increasing
Government decides on updates to COVID-19 strategy, continuation of restrictions and use of COVID-19 passport
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