Ministerial Working Group on COVID-19 prepares for implementation of Government’s decisions from last week

On Tuesday 8 February, the Ministerial Working Group on Coordinating COVID-19 Response continued the preparations for implementing the decisions made in the Government’s negotiations last week. The ministerial working group also decided in favour of lifting the recommendation on remote work at the end of February. Decrees on easing restaurant restrictions and extending the suspension of the use of the COVID-19 passport in its current form are under preparation. The Government will issue a resolution on updating the hybrid strategy to manage COVID-19 at its session on Thursday.

Ministries propose ending recommendation on remote work at the end of February

The ministerial working group decided in favour of the proposal of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health to lift the recommendation on remote work starting on 1 March. Even if the national recommendation is lifted, regional recommendations on remote work could continue in areas experiencing community transmission. The ministerial working group welcomed the flexible, step-by-step transition to combining remote and in-person work outlined in the proposal.

Employers are encouraged to monitor the communications by regional health authorities, as the situations in different regions can change rapidly. Risk assessment at the workplace is the responsibility of the employer. To ensure that employees can work safely, workplaces must continue to implement good hygiene practices and protective measures and must promote other arrangements that minimise close contacts and other risk factors.

Easing of restaurant restrictions as of 14 February

Last week, the Government decided to ease the restrictions on restaurants so that as of 14 February, restaurants could serve alcoholic beverages until 23.00 and remain open until midnight. This would apply to both restaurants that primarily serve food and businesses that primarily serve alcoholic beverages. The requirement to provide a seat for each customer and the restrictions on the number of customers in premises would remain unchanged. The Government plans to submit the amendment to its decree on restaurants on Thursday 10 February.

The Government has also previously stated that if the epidemiological situation continues to develop favourably and there is no risk of exceeding the capacity of the healthcare system, restaurant restrictions could be lifted completely as of 1 March for all food and beverage service businesses.

Continued suspension of COVID-19 passport under preparation

The ministerial working group proposes that the suspension of the use of the COVID-19 passport in its current form be continued until 28 February. 

In addition, preparations for a proposal to extend the use of the COVID-19 certificate will continue so that it can be implemented if necessary in the future. The government proposal is due to be submitted to Parliament during the spring session.

Guidance for regions on introducing restaurant restrictions

The Government recommended last week that all restrictions on the number of participants and the amount of customer seating at public events and in leisure activities in the cultural, sports and event sectors be lifted as of 14 February.

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health will issue a circular on the recommendations for regional authorities as soon as possible. The competent authorities in each region will decide which restrictions will be in effect.

Resolution on updating the hybrid strategy

The ministerial working group finalised the updates to the hybrid strategy to manage the COVID-19 crisis. A government resolution on the new hybrid strategy will be issued at the plenary session on Thursday of this week. At the same time, the Government will repeal the resolution on activating the emergency brake mechanism.

The objective of the hybrid strategy in 2022 is to stabilise society and keep it as open as possible, to support aftercare and reconstruction, and to ensure appropriate preparedness for the ongoing global pandemic. 

People are encouraged to protect themselves against COVID-19 through vaccinations, easy access to home test kits and effective communication. The best interest of the child continues to be the top priority in decision-making. If the situation so requires, it must be possible to respond to a sudden deterioration in the development of the epidemic through appropriate means.

Moving forward, epidemic prevention will primarily be based on supporting personal health security practices, preventing the serious consequences of infections through vaccination and, to a limited extent and only as necessary, introducing temporary regulations, including on the national use of the EU Digital COVID Certificate. Comprehensive vaccinations, easy access to home testing and clear communication with citizens about the situation and measures in place in each region are the hallmarks of a COVID-safe everyday life.

Updates to testing and tracing strategy continue

The ministerial working group was also briefed on the updates being made to the testing and tracing strategy by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. The aim is to adopt the updated strategy as soon as possible.

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health proposes updating the testing and tracing strategy to meet the requirements of the current epidemiological situation and to ensure uniform practices throughout the country.

The strategy would specify the principles for targeting testing and tracing resources especially at protecting risk groups and health and social services professionals in the current situation. In managing the epidemic, the strategy will focus on independent measures to prevent the spread of infections.

Inquiries:

Timo Lehtinen, Special Adviser to Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services Aki Lindén, [email protected]
Juha Sarkio, Director General, Ministry of Finance and Raimo Antila, Director General, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, [email protected] (recommendation on remote work) 
Taneli Puumalainen, Director General, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, [email protected] (COVID-19 passport)
Satu Koskela, Director General, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, [email protected] (regional guidance)
Pekka Paaermaa, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, [email protected] (decree on restaurants)
Liisa-Maria Voipio-Pulkki, Chief Specialist, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, [email protected] (hybrid strategy)
Pasi Pohjola, Director of Strategic Affairs, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, [email protected] (testing and tracing strategy)