Restrictions during the coronavirus epidemic

The regional state administrative agencies have made decisions on restrictions to performances, concerts, shows and other public events under the Communicable Diseases Act.

The restrictions and recommendations concerning events, gatherings and meetings differ from one region to another depending on the phase of the epidemic. The guidelines on good hygiene and safe distances issued by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) and the Ministry of Education and Culture are in force at all phases.  

Epidemic at a stable level

• The number of participants at events is restricted at the regional level. 
  Restrictions on gatherings currently in force and entering into force in November – avi.fi (available in Finnish and Swedish)
• When organising leisure activities and in the use of public spaces, care should be taken to ensure that participants and parties can avoid close contact.

Acceleration phase of the epidemic

• The regional state administrative agencies will assess the adequacy of the restrictions and limit e.g. customer numbers at the local level as necessary.number of persons at public events restricted to half (50 per cent) of the normal capacity
• Public spaces must be used in such a way that participants and parties can avoid close contact.adult group leisure activities indoors are suspended if the risk of infection is high
• All leisure activities must be arranged in such way that participants and parties cam avoid close contact
• Municipalities may recommend limiting the number of users in spaces to half the normal permittede number. 
• Municipalities may recommend suspending indoor group leisure activities for adults if the risk of infection is high. Groups may continue their activities remotely.

Community transmission phase of the epidemic

At the regional level, the number of participants at public events may be limited to 10 persons or, if necessary, events may be prohibited altogether.

• Municipalities may also issue similar recommendations for private events
• Group leisure activities should be arranged remotely or, if necessary, suspended altogether. Special discretion should be used when deciding to suspend children’s and young people’s hobbies.
• If necessary, public spaces may be closed down altogether.

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• Guidelines (in Finnish) for public events, meetings and the use of public premises, 21 September 
• Regional State Administrative Agencies’ answers (in Finnish) to questions about public events and public meetings 

The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health recommend working remotely to the extent possible in both the public and private sectors. This recommendation will remain in force throughout the country until further notice and will be reviewed by 30 June 2021.

Employers must also promote work arrangements that reduce close contacts and other risk factors. 

Guidelines for remote work – ttl.fi

Current restrictions will remain in force until 28 February 2021. By way of exception, restrictions to the amount of customer seating, opening hours and licensing hours will be introduced in the whole of Lapland. The Hospital District of Länsi-Pohja, which is classified as part of Lapland, has reached the acceleration phase of the epidemic, whereas the Hospital District of Lapland is still at the stable level. Uniform restrictions are being laid down because the tourist season will bring tens of thousands of tourists from other countries to Lapland for Christmas and the New Year, especially from places that are in the acceleration and community transmission phase of the epidemic. 

Epidemic at a stable level

• businesses must stop serving alcoholic beverages by 24.00

• businesses that primarily serve alcoholic beverages must close by 1.00 and may reopen their doors at 2 at the earliest 

• other food and beverage service businesses may be open round the clock

• no restrictions on the number of customers

Acceleration phase of the epidemic

• businesses must stop serving alcoholic beverages by 22.00
• businesses that primarily serve alcoholic beverages must close by 23.00, while other food and beverage service businesses may be open until 24.00 at the latest
• pubs, bars and nightclubs may allow half the normal number of customers in the premises at a time
• restaurants and cafes may allow three quarters of the normal number of customers in the premises at a time

Community transmission phase of the epidemic

• businesses must stop serving alcoholic beverages by 22.00

• businesses must close by 23.00,

• businesses may, after closing, reopen their doors at 5.00 at the earliest 

• pubs, bars and nightclubs may allow half the normal number of customers in the premises at a time

• restaurants and cafes may allow three quarters of the normal number of customers in the premises at a time

Guidelines on restaurant activities in force throughout Finland

• every customer must have their own seat

• customers must be provided with information and instructions on how to prevent COVID-19 infections 

• customers must be able to wash their hands, and premises and surfaces must be kept clean

• businesses are responsible for ensuring safe distances between their customers
   

• Restrictions imposed on food and beverage service businesses to continue until 28 February 2021 – restrictions also introduced in Lapland
• Regional State Administrative Agencies’ answers (in Finnish) to frequently asked questions about business in the food and beverage service sector 

Citizens of Finland always have the right to return to Finland, and everyone has the right to leave the country. The Government recommends avoiding unnecessary travel to countries other than those for which the restrictions on entry have been lifted.

Restrictions on entry 

On 10 December, the Government decided to extend the restrictions on entry into the country until 12 January 2021. The COVID-19 epidemic is still clearly growing globally, and the number of infections is increasing in most countries. 

The decision is based on the limit value of a maximum of 25 new cases of the disease per 100,000 persons in the previous 14 days. It applies to Schengen countries, non-Schengen EU countries and the United Kingdom.

Entry restrictions and health measures in place in Finland

New approach to border traffic and travel

As of 1 October, special groups and charter or group tours will be permitted to enter Finland even from high-incidence countries, subject to certain conditions. The conditions for work and other day-to-day interaction between border communities will be improved by allowing traffic at the northern land border and in ferry and air services to Estonia and Sweden without a test certificate and quarantine. 

• Government adopts resolution on implementing the hybrid strategy for border traffic and travel (press release 11 September)
• Travel and the coronavirus (thl.fi)
• Q&A about the effects of COVID-19 on border traffic (raja.fi)
• Re-open EU online service

Travel within Finland is allowed as long as health and safety guidelines relating to coronavirus are observed.

All travel must be avoided when ill. During travel, it is important to observe good hand and respiratory hygiene. It is important to avoid unnecessary physical contact Tourism businesses must pay particular attention to cleaning, preparedness planning and training of staff.

• Guidelines for the safe reopening of domestic tourism in Finland
• Health, hygiene and safety guidelines for tourism businesses and tourists (in Finnish)
• Guidelines of National Parks Finland concerning the coronavirus situation 

Older people, particularly those aged over 70, should avoid exposure to COVID-19 because they are at a significantly higher risk of becoming severely ill from the virus than others. People with long-term illnesses are also a high-risk group. 

The recommendation for older people to avoid physical contact is no longer in force. However, it is wise to take a cautious approach to close contacts, using individual discretion and taking into account the risk factors. 

It is important for everyone to follow the general guidelines to reduce the risk of infection. You can prevent infections by practicing good hand hygiene, covering your mouth when you cough, avoiding close contact, wearing a face mask or covering and getting tested for COVID-19 if you have any symptoms, even mild ones.

• Instructions for older people and other risk groups during the coronavirus epidemic – thl.fi
• Transmission and protection – coronavirus – thl.fi

The Ministry of Education and Culture and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare have issued recommendations to help reduce coronavirus infections and limit exposure to the virus in contact teaching and early childhood education and care. The recommendations will support local actors in seeking the best ways to arrange teaching and early childhood education and care in a safe and well-functioning manner. The regional restrictions and recommendations in place depend on the phase of the epidemic in the region in question. 

Epidemic at the stable level

• normal contact teaching

Acceleration phase of the epidemic

• higher education institutions should seriously consider switching to distance learning

Community transmission phase of the epidemic

• with the exception of comprehensive schools, all educational institutions may, at their discretion, switch to distance learning altogether

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• Updated recommendations for early childhood education and care, schools, educational institutions and higher education institutions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus  
• Regional State Administrative Agencies’ answers (in Finnish) to frequently asked questions about early childhood education and care 
• Regional State Administrative Agencies’ answers (in Finnish) to questions about primary, lower secondary and other education and educational institutions