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.  

Base level of the epidemic

• public events with more than 50 persons permitted; organisers must ensure compliance with the guidelines from THL and the Ministry of Education and Culture
• leisure activities and the use of public spaces should be arranged so that participants and parties can avoid close contact 

Acceleration phase of the epidemic

• regional or local recommendation to avoid private events with more than 20 persons
• number of persons at public events restricted to half (50 per cent) of the normal capacity
• number of customers in public spaces restricted to half (50 per cent) of the normal capacities and spaces 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 organised in such a way that participants and parties can avoid close contact 

Spreading phase of the epidemic

• regional or local recommendation to avoid private events with more than 10 persons
• if necessary, public events may be prohibited altogether
• if group leisure activities are suspended altogether, special discretion should be exercised with regard to children’s and young people’s hobbies
• if necessary, public spaces may be closed down altogether

The Government will adopt a resolution further specifying its recommendations from 15 October in the week beginning on 19 October.

• 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 Government recommends 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 31 December 2020. 

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

The Government will adopt a resolution further specifying its recommendations from 15 October in the week beginning on 19 October.

Guidelines for remote work – ttl.fi

The opening and licensing hours of food and beverage service businesses will be restricted from the beginning of October. Businesses must comply with the restrictions by Thursday 8 October at the latest. Businesses may be open between 4.00 and 1.00 and may sell alcohol between 9.00 and 24.00.

If the epidemic enters the acceleration phase, restaurants and licensed premises must be closed no later than 23.00, and alcohol sales must end at 22.00. Half of the maximum number of clients may be present in indoor premises at a time. The restrictions to be imposed during the acceleration phase can be introduced quickly if necessary.

All customers must have their own seat, and information and instructions on how to prevent COVID-19 infections must be provided. Customers must be able to wash their hands, and premises and surfaces must be kept clean. Businesses are also responsible for ensuring safe distances between customers.

• Government decides on temporary restrictions to the operations of food and beverage service businesses (press release, 29 September)
• 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.

On 11 September, the Government agreed that, as of 19 September, restrictions on entry could be lifted for traffic between Finland and those EU and Schengen countries (including the United Kingdom) where the incidence of COVID-19 has not exceeded 25 new cases per 100,000 persons in the previous 14 days. The same threshold applies to the countries on the Green List defined by the Council of the European Union. 

In the case of third countries outside the EU and the Schengen area, restrictions on entry may be lifted if the number of cases is below the same limit value and they are included on the Green List. 

Although Finland has lifted internal border control and quarantine recommendations for certain countries, these countries may have their own restrictions on the entry of tourists. 

The Government will reassess the need for and extent of the restrictions on entry in approximately two weeks based on the epidemiological situation. The restrictions on entry may change on a weekly basis. 

Restrictions on entry as of 12 October

Starting from 12 October, internal border control will be reinstated for traffic between Finland and all Schengen countries.

Entry restrictions and health measures in place in Finland

New approach to border traffic and travel from 23 November

In the new testing-based operating model, internal border controls will be replaced with health security measures. The model is set to be introduced on 23 November, and the transition period will begin on 1 October. With the new approach, passengers arriving from countries with a high incidence of COVID-19 must have a certificate of a negative COVID-19 test taken less than 72 hours prior to their arrival.

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. 

• Restrictions on entry into the country to be tightened due to COVID-19 (press release 11 September)
• 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. 

Base level of the epidemic

• normal contact teaching

Acceleration phase of the epidemic

• higher education institutions will switch to distance learning, taking into account the need for essential contact teaching

Spreading phase of the epidemic

• if necessary, upper secondary schools will also switch to distance learning, taking into account the need for essential contact teaching

The Government will adopt a resolution further specifying its recommendations from 15 October in the week beginning on 19 October.

• 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