The Finnish government continues to promote remote work as a means to combat Covid-19 this fall.
The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health have examined the justification for the national recommendation to work remotely. Their conclusion is that, in view of the epidemiological situation, vaccination coverage is not yet sufficient.
Therefore, the recommendation to tele-work will remain in effect until 30 September in the areas that are in the acceleration or community transmission phase, the government said in a press release. These areas include the largest population centers in the country.
The affected areas are Uusimaa (Helsinki and surroundings), Southwest Finland (Turku area), Pirkanmaa (Tampere region), Kymenlaakso, Satakunta, South Karelia and Ostrobothnia, all of them in the community transmission phase.
The recommendation is also in effect for the areas of Kanta-Häme, Päijät-Häme, North Savo, North Karelia, Central Finland, South Ostrobothnia, Central Ostrobothnia, North Ostrobothnia and Kainuu as well as the Hospital District of South Savo and the city of Rovaniemi, all in the acceleration phase of the epidemic.
Delta variant
The rationale for the recommendation will be reassessed in mid-September.
The nature of the epidemic has changed since early summer. Now the numbers of infections reported are so high that health authorities fear the situation may deteriorate quite quickly despite the progress made in vaccinations.
Most of the cases are caused by the Delta variant, which spreads more easily that the other known variants.
Extensive remote work has been considered by the government an effective strategy to limit the spreading of the disease.
