Restrictions during the coronavirus epidemic

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 | Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare
• COVID-19 tests and avoiding contacts in regions with a testing and tracing backlog | Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare

Wearing a mask

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare has lifted its general recommendation on the use of face masks. The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare still recommends wearing a mask in public indoor spaces and on public transport if

• you are seeking treatment or a test due to a suspected COVID-19 infection,
• you have symptoms of a respiratory infection but must move outside your home, or
• you know you have been exposed to COVID-19 and cannot avoid close contact outside your home.

Everyone can still wear a mask at their own discretion. Some municipalities may still recommend wearing a mask.

• Recommendation on the use of face masks for citizens | Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare

Recommendations of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare for those who have been exposed or infected

• Treatment of coronavirus and instructions for the infected
• Quarantine and isolation
• After recovering from the coronavirus disease

Requirements concerning good hygiene and guidance for customers continue to be in force:

1. Customers must be given the opportunity to wash or sanitise their hands;
2. Customers should be given guidance on keeping safe distances, maintaining good hygiene and other practices to prevent the spread of infections;
3. Spaces and surfaces should be cleaned more frequently and thoroughly.

These guidelines apply to organisers of events and to those responsible for public spaces and premises intended for customers. Effective guidance and good hygiene must also be ensured in public transport.

The requirements under the Communicable Diseases Act are valid until 30 June 2022.

• Restrictions on events and gatherings | Regional State Administrative Agency
• Use of customer premises and facilities | Regional State Administrative Agency

The restrictions on opening hours, alcohol service hours and the number of customer seats in food and beverage service businesses were lifted on 1 March 2022. 

Restaurants throughout Finland must continue to ensure enhanced hygiene protection and safe distances to prevent COVID-19 infections until 30 June 2022. 
 

• Customers must be provided with information and instructions on preventing COVID-19 infections.
• Customers must have the opportunity to wash their hands.
• Measures must be taken to ensure sufficient distances between customers both indoors and outdoors. 
• Restaurant premises, particularly surfaces, must be kept clean.
• The restaurant must draw up a plan describing the measures taken to prevent COVID-19 infections.

These obligations will remain in force until 30 June 2022 and will be laid down by government decree.

In practice, the Regional State Administrative Agency supervises and provides instructions on these requirements:

• Restaurants, cafés, bars and other food services | Regional State Administrative Agency

Travelling to Finland

Certain 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.

Information on current restrictions and recommendations by region:

• Travel to and from Finland

Travelling abroad

All countries may restrict travel because of the COVID-19 situation. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs issues travel recommendations:

• Coronavirus and travelling abroad | Ministry of Foreign Affairs