Prime Minister Sanna Marin gave an interview to the National Broadcasting Company (Yle) on Thursday morning and talked about the restrictive measures against coronavirus (koronavirus, in Finnish).
On Wednesday the Finnish government lifted the restrictions on people's mobility between Uusimaa and other provinces. Iltalehti claimed that The Center Party plans to propose to tighten the public gathering restrictions from ten to five people.
Marin did not want to speculate on the matter. She said, “We will review the restrictive measures based on the expert assessments we receive. Public gathering restriction is, of course, one of the things that will be considered here.”
Marin pointed out that if some other restrictive measures were lifted, then those regarding public gathering might be tightened. “We look at the situation and make decisions in time,” she said.
According to Marin, Finland has been quite successful in slowing down the spread of the coronavirus through restrictive measures. As a result, she said, there have been fewer illnesses and deaths than in other Nordic countries.
She thanked the Finns for complying with the restrictions and acting responsibly.
Summer festivals
Festival organizers are waiting for information on whether events can be held next summer.
Prime Minister Marin said that the government is outlining the organization of the festivals later this month. “The assessment (of the organization of summer events) will be made as early as possible this month so that the organizers have the opportunity to adapt to the situation in good time,” added Marin.
Sanna Marin does not want to anticipate whether summer festivals will be permitted or not.
Trash-Masks Scandal
The interview returned to the Emergency Supply Agency's protective equipment order scandal. Marin stated that the Emergency Supply Agency had acted "absolutely wrong" in the matter.
According to Marin, “They have acted wrong because they have not checked the backgrounds of the actors adequately. It cannot work that way. That is why Tomi Lounema, the CEO of the Emergency Supply Agency, resigned last week.”
Marin said that the Emergency Supply Agency needs to be thoroughly investigated. The mess is currently being investigated, at least by the Ministry of Justice and the police.
