The Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has decided to discontinue the nationwide tiers of Covid-19 prevention measures. Going forward, prevention in Finland will focus on regional restrictions and recommendations.
The Ministry of Social and Health has instructed all areas to discontinue the additional measures related to the tiers, such as the restrictions on gatherings with more than six people.
Although the tiers of prevention measures are discontinued, areas are instructed to continue to follow the recommendations and restrictions corresponding to the phase of the epidemic in each area.
The action plan for implementing the government’s strategy divides the epidemic into three phases: baseline, acceleration phase and community transmission phase.
According to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the biggest changes in the measures will take place in areas where the epidemic is in the acceleration phase.
In these areas, public premises, such as libraries and museums, could be reopened, outdoor group leisure activities could be allowed and public events could be organised with restrictions on the number of participants.
The competent authorities in each area will decide on the restrictions and recommendations based on both their own consideration and the existing legislation.
Restrictions to be lifted
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health emphasises that it is necessary to adopt a systematic approach and to assess the situation in a broad and comprehensive manner when lifting the restrictions.
To be able to dismantle the restrictions in a controlled manner, the government says it is important for the regional authorities to draw up their own plans.
"When lifting the restrictions, it is imperative to take account of the principle of children and young people first and to continue to behave safely."
Regional measures are expected to play "a key role in curbing the spread of infections and preventing the re-escalation" of the epidemic.
"If the epidemiological situation worsens, it is crucial to respond quickly and proactively to it by introducing effective and epidemiologically appropriate measures," the Ministry says.
