Finland leaves behind state of emergency

Finland will cease to be a country in a state of emergency due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The government announced Monday that the Emergency Powers Act will be lifted at midnight. This law, which provides authorities with special powers to deal with the coronavirus epidemic, has been in force since 16 March.

Prime Minister Sanna Marín explained in a press conference held after the government talks that, based on the epidemiological and legal evaluations received, the government can declare that "the conditions no longer exist for emergency measures to be in place."

Therefore, "the Emergency Powers Law and its implementation will be revoked," she emphasized.

Before making the announcement, Marin had a discussion on the subject with the President of the Republic, Sauli Niinistö.

Back to normal

Finland will now return to normal conditions and will be ruled under ordinary legislation. For that purpose, at its plenary session on Monday evening, the government issued a decree repealing the special powers provided by the Emergency Powers Act.

However, according to Prime Minister Sanna Marin, the severity of the epidemic must not yet be underestimated.

"The end of the emergency act does not mean the threat of the epidemic is over." "We hope there will not be a second wave of infection," said the head of government.

Similarly, the Government warned in a press release that "the lifting of the state of emergency does not mean that the situation has passed or that there is no longer a risk of a resurgence in the epidemic."

Restrictions still in force

Even though the Emergency Powers Act is being lifted, some restrictions for example on public gatherings, restaurant operations, social distancing and nursing home visits will stay in force. Those will be reviewed during this week.

In Finland, the spread of the virus has slowed down over the past weeks, according to the figures published by the National Institute for health and Welfare (THL).

To date, the Covid-19 disease has infected 7,108 people and killed 326.

"The infection situation has changed"

Justice Minister, Anna-Maija Henriksson said Monday's announcement was "a day of joy" for the country. "We assess that the infection situation has changed, so there is no need for the emergency law."

"Laws restricting citizens' fundamental rights cannot be maintained for any longer than is necessary," she stressed.

During the epidemic, the government used the Emergency Powers Act for example to restrict travel to and from the Helsinki metropolitan area (Uusimaa), which is the most populated and hardest-hit region by the virus.

Emergency powers were also invoked in order to close schools and restaurants, to allow rationing of medical supplies, and to ensure the availability of sufficient workers in health care and other key functions for society.