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10.9.2024 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment have appointed Antti Neimala to carry out a study on the possibilities to allow sales of wines with up to 15 per cent alcohol outside the Alko monopoly.

10.10.2024 | The Government proposes an amendment to the Alcohol Act that would allow the delivery of alcoholic beverages to customers. In practice, the amendment would allow, for example, home deliveries and online sales of alcoholic beverages.

5.7.2024 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is requesting comments on a government proposal that would allow the delivery of alcoholic beverages from domestic retail outlets directly to recipients. This proposal is part of the implementation of the Government Programme. Comments on the government proposal can be submitted between 5 July and 30 August 2024.

5.7.2023 | Laura Rissanen is to serve as State Secretary to Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen. The minister has invited Sakari Rokkanen and Niilo Heinonen to serve as special assistants.

22.12.2021 | The Government has amended the decree restricting the activities of restaurants and other food and beverage service businesses due to the COVID-19 epidemic. As from 24 December 2021, the use of the COVID-19 passport will be restricted for about three weeks. The restrictions on food and beverage services businesses that are necessary to prevent the spread of the epidemic will be introduced in the region of North Savo, while restrictions will be lifted for the Åland Islands.

20.6.2024 | On Thursday 20 June, the Government appointed Markus Henriksson as Director General of the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira) until the end of 2025.

24.2.2022 | The Government has on repealed section 3, subsection 3 and sections 4 and 6 of the decree (1223/2021) that restricts the activities of food and beverage service businesses due to the COVID-19 epidemic. This means that the restrictions on the opening and alcohol serving hours as well as restrictions on the number of customers and customer seats in restaurants will be lifted.

16.12.2021 | The Government has amended the decree that restricts the activities of food and beverage service businesses due to the COVID-19 epidemic. The restrictions on food and beverage services businesses that are necessary to prevent the spread of the epidemic will be introduced in the whole of Lapland and the Hospital District of South Savo.

4.2.2021 | On 4 February, the Government submitted to Parliament a proposal for an act on temporarily amending the Communicable Diseases Act. The amendment would extend the validity of the provisions on restrictions concerning food and beverage service businesses, namely restaurants, bars and cafes. The current Act on Temporarily Amending the Communicable Diseases Act is in force until 28 February 2021. W...

27.1.2022 | On 27 January, the Government’s Ministerial Working Group on COVID-19 received an update on the epidemiological situation and the authorities’ assessments of its development. The ministerial working group proposes changes to the restrictions on restaurants and low-risk facilities and events.

4.6.2021 | On 4 June 2021, the Ministerial Working Group on Health and Social Services discussed the COVID-19 situation in Finland and the restrictions in place. They recommend that certain restrictions should be eased. The Government is due to decide on the matter urgently in the week starting 7 June.

10.12.2020 | The Government issued a new decree restricting the activities of food and beverage service businesses owing to the COVID-19 epidemic. 

28.2.2024 | Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen has invited Eemil Nuuttila to serve as her Special Adviser. Nuuttila will deputise for Special Adviser Niilo Heinonen during his family leave between 1 March and 31 July 2024.

3.12.2021 | The Government has amended the decree restricting the activities of food and beverage service businesses due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses that are necessary to prevent the spread of the epidemic will be introduced in Åland.

2.12.2021 | The Government has amended the decree restricting the activities of food and beverage service businesses due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses in community transmission areas will be introduced in the region of Central Finland and the City of Rovaniemi.

26.11.2021 | The Government has amended the decree that restricts the activities of food and beverage service businesses due to the COVID-19 epidemic. The restrictions on licensing and opening hours will be tightened in areas where the epidemic is in the community transmission phase. In addition, restrictions on food and beverage service businesses will be reintroduced in the region of South Karelia.

24.11.2020 | Restaurants and other food and beverage service businesses in the region of Uusimaa, which is now in the community transmission phase, will be subject to tighter restrictions than the other regions in Finland. The government decree on the matter will enter into force on 26 November at 00.00.

21.12.2021 | In its negotiations on Tuesday 21 December, the Government discussed the COVID-19 situation and decided on new restrictions and other necessary measures. In addition to increasing vaccination coverage, effective national and regional measures to limit close contacts are needed to slow down the spread of the epidemic. This will allow more time for giving people third vaccine doses.

21.12.2021 | In its negotiations on Tuesday 21 December, the Government discussed the COVID-19 situation and decided on new restrictions and other necessary measures. In addition to increasing vaccination coverage, effective national and regional measures to limit close contacts are needed to slow down the spread of the epidemic. This will allow more time for giving people third vaccine doses.

3.12.2020 | Starting from 5 December, restaurants and other food and beverage service businesses in the regions of Kanta-Häme, Päijät-Häme, Kymenlaakso and North Ostrobothnia, which are in the community transmission phase, will be subject to the same restrictions as those already in force in Uusimaa. Restrictions will also be tightened in areas entering the acceleration phase. The government decree on the matter will enter into force on 5 December at 00.00.