During the forthcoming travel restrictions, dozens of roadblocks will be brought to the provincial borders of Uusimaa, where traffic is monitored by the police. In addition, there will also be controls on trains and air traffic.
People’s movement across Uusimaa's provincial borders will be restricted from Friday 26 when the Parliament approves the government's decision. The isolation of Uusimaa would last until 19 April, but it could continue beyond that.
Seppo Kolehmainen, The National Police Board Director said in the press conference, “Everyone now has a responsibility to prevent the spread of coronavirus. This is a joint effort of society as a whole. Everyone must do their part to diminish the risk as effectively as possible and to reduce health care overload.”
According to Kolehmainen, the police will visibly monitor the movement restriction in the first few days in order to spread information on the matter and to enable people to comply with the restrictions.
Checkpoints round-the-clock
Brackets will be placed on roads leading to Uusimaa. There will be round-the-clock checkpoints on the main passages and major roads. Communication will also be enhanced, authorities say.
Kolehmainen said that the monitoring will continue after the first few days. He also mentioned that police impose fines who do not obey the lockdown.
Poliisi asettaa sulut Uudellemaalle johtaville teille. Pääväylille ja isoimmille teille tulee ympärivuorokautisia tarkastuspisteitä. Tarkastuspisteissä selvitetään, onko tiellä liikkujilla perusteet liikkua Uudeltamaalta muualle Suomeen tai muualta Suomesta Uudellemaalle #poliisi
— Suomen poliisi (@SuomenPoliisi) March 26, 2020
According to Kolehmainen, the enforcement of restrictions on people’s movement is subject to less stringent police powers, such as advice, instructions and instructions.
The police will check the reasons for the travel requirement and, if necessary, advise the offender to return to their home or instruct the person to leave the restricted area. Only in more serious and negligent cases, the police will impose a fine.
Violation of the restrictions on movement and residence is punishable as a violation of the law on preparedness, which can be dealt with in a fine procedure if it is simple and clear.
VALID REASON NEEDED
Restrictions on movement apply in principle to anyone who has no explicit reason to move from Uusimaa to other parts of Finland or from Finland to Uusimaa.
“All extra travel from Uusimaa to elsewhere in Finland and from elsewhere from Finland to Uusimaa must now be postponed. Everyone's actions now have an impact on how quickly we can get back to normal,” said Kolehmainen.
The National Police Board Director said 700 police officers would control the movement restrictions.
In the press release, the police said, “Everyone has the right to return to his/her place of residence or place of residence.”
Restrictions on traffic between #Uusimaa and other regions as of 27 March until 19 April 2020.
— Sisäministeriö (@Sisaministerio) March 26, 2020
The police will monitor compliance with the restrictions, but we expect everyone to act responsibly. #stayhome #COVID19FI #koronafi
🔹 Read more: https://t.co/gCC3IUXiJq pic.twitter.com/an7XynHXAF
Also, movement is permitted in official activities and in work-related travel, whether as an employee or as an entrepreneur or self-employed person, or in connection with a position of trust or a statutory obligation.
Movement is not restricted if there are compelling personal reasons such as the right of access to a child or the death of a family member.
The police will monitor compliance with the movement restrictions and may impose a fine for violating or failing to comply with the new rules. At the request of the police, people must provide an account of the reason or purpose of their travel.
