Helsinki puts on the mask

A day after the Government issued its recommendation to use masks in public transport and in closed places where it is difficult to maintain social distance, the presence of more people with face shields has become visible on the streets of Helsinki.

VR, the Finnish public railway company, has distributed free face masks to travelers at Helsinki central station on Friday and has even equipped the stone men who guard the entrance to the capital's main station with masks.

The aim is to raise awareness against the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Cases increased

Identical masks can already be purchased on long-distance trains and at railway station kiosks across the country, the company said on its Twitter account.

Finland, one of the countries in the world where the authorities have been most reluctant to recommend the use of face masks, has experienced an increase in both cases and incidence of the Covid-19 virus in the past two weeks.

Photo: VR