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Governments and ministers You can browse the information on the site by government, minister, ministerial title and ministry. All ministers are listed for each government, along with their terms of office. The information on individual ministers i...

Governments and ministers You can browse the information on the site by government, minister, ministerial title and ministry. All ministers are listed for each government, along with their terms of office. The information on individual ministers i...

30.7.2025 | During the summer, there have been significantly more drownings and serious near misses than usual at public swimming areas. The Ministry of the Interior, the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes), the National Police Board of Finland and the Finnish Swimming Teaching and Lifesaving Federation met on 30 July to discuss safety at swimming areas.

31.1.2023 | A working group appointed by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health proposes measures to end the use of tobacco and nicotine products in Finland by 2030. The group submitted its report to State Secretary Eila Mäkipää on Tuesday, 31 January 2023.

18.1.2023 | The revised EU Drinking Water Directive has been implemented in Finnish national legislation through statutory amendments that took effect on 12 January 2023. These amendments concern a wide range of laws and regulations. The main goal of the reform is to safeguard the quality of water intended for human consumption and to provide more information on water quality.

31.5.2020 | The restrictions put in place to mitigate the COVID-19 epidemic are being phased out gradually and in a controlled manner starting on 1 June. The aim is to curb the epidemic while minimising the adverse impact on people, businesses, society and the exercise of fundamental rights. From the beginning of June, certain restrictions will be alleviated, including the restrictions on gatherings, the organisation of events and the opening of public spaces.

19.2.2021 | The amendments to the Communicable Diseases Act have been approved, and they will enter into force on 22 February 2021. They will strengthen the possibilities of local and regional authorities to take proactive and swift measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Most of the amendments will remain in force until 30 June 2021. 

18.5.2021 | A fourth application round for business cost support for March–May will be organised for companies. The conditions of aid would remain unchanged. In addition, large companies would receive separate compensation if their premises were closed by law or by order of an authority due to the COVID-19 epidemic. The Government currently negotiates with the European Commission about the terms and amount of closure compensation.

10.12.2020 | The Government has submitted a proposal on amending the Communicable Diseases Act. The aim is to strengthen the possibilities of local and regional authorities to take proactive and swift measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Most of the amendments regarding the coronavirus epidemic would be in place only on a temporary basis.

1.10.2019 | Kirsi Varhila start as the new Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health on 1 October. Varhila explains in an interview what changes she expects to see at the Ministry and what she intends to keep, how the current Government Programme will affect work at the Ministry and how she intends to promote wellbeing at work for her staff.

3.6.2021 | A fourth application round for business cost support for March–May will be organised for companies. The conditions of aid would remain unchanged. In addition, medium-sized and large companies would receive separate compensation if their premises were closed by law or by order of an authority due to the COVID-19 epidemic.

17.4.2020 | The state of emergency affects all of us. We have had to limit or give up many of the things that are important to us. For many of us, concerns about our own and our loved ones’ health, wellbeing, livelihoods and ability to cope are a constant presence in our everyday lives. In the midst of the crisis, it is good to stop and think about how we are doing and how we can support each other through these difficult times.

6.5.2020 | Check against delivery: Mr Speaker, The Government adopted a resolution today on a plan for the continuation and controlled, gradual dismantling of the restrictive measures put in place to curb the coronavirus epidemic.