The lock down of the region of Uusimma (Helsinki and its surroundings) is now official. Traffic between this area and the rest of the country will be restricted as of Friday 27 March.
Uusimaa is now the main battlefront to curb the epidemic. In this region 2 out of 3 coronavirus (koronavirus, in Finnish) infections have been detected so far.
Now, the challenge for the Finnish authorities is to prevent the virus spread also to other parts of Finland, as the Prime Minister Sanna Marin explained on Wednesday evening in a press conference.
On Wednesday 25 March a decree the Government submitted to Parliament a decree concerning the use of powers under the Emergency Powers Act relating to the restrictions on movement. These restrictions will be in force until 19 April 2020.
After the entry into force of the movement restrictions, the residents of Uusimaa must stay in the Uusimaa region. Residents of other regions are not allowed to visit Uusimaa. However, everyone has the right to return to their home or place of residence.
Recreational travel is not allowed. The flow of goods will not be prevented even during the new restrictions. Furthermore, the restrictions do not apply to movement within Uusimaa.
Traffic allowed for work and business
Also, movement is permitted in official activities and in work-related travel, whether as an employee or as an entrepreneur or self-employed person, or in connection with a position of trust or a statutory obligation.
Movement is not restricted if there are compelling personal reasons such as the right of access to a child or the death of a family member. The police will monitor compliance with the movement restrictions and may impose a fine for violating or failing to comply with the new rules. At the request of the police, people must provide an account of the reason or purpose of their travel.
More information regarding the movement restrictions and their practical effects will be provided at bus, train, metro and tram stations and terminals, as well as on information boards and announcements on trains and buses.
The information must also be available in Uusimaa’s neighbouring municipalities and in key transport locations used for cross-regional commuter traffic.
