Stricter restaurant restrictions come into force in six regions
Covid-related restrictions are made by region in line with the action plan of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Additional rules have been issued for the restaurant sector in regions where the coronavirus is in the acceleration or spreading stage.
In September an action plan to combat the coronavirus was introduced by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the aim of which is to prevent the virus spreading, safeguard healthcare resilience and protect especially the vulnerable. The action plan guides the recommendations and restrictions given in their regions by the municipalities, hospital districts and Regional State Administrative Authorities (AVI) responsible for implementing the Communicable Diseases Act. You can find the current regional situation and the recommendations in force on the THL website.
Changes to restaurant opening and serving times – regional differences due to status of the disease
Under the current decree, restaurants can open from 4 am, and must shut no later than 1 am. Alcohol may be served from 9 am and service must end no later than midnight. The decree came into force on 1 October is planned to remain in force until 31 October.
In regions in the acceleration stage (Uusimaa, Southwest Finland, Pirkanmaa, Kanta-Häme, Ostrobothnia and South Ostrobothnia) restrictions have been introduced meaning that restaurants must shut no later than 11 pm and service must end at 10 pm. Also, there may be no more than half the maximum number of customers at any one time in indoor spaces or part of them. In other regions, the restrictions introduced by the decree remain in force until further notice.
An expert assessment of the acceleration stage is made weekly, and changes to restrictions are decided at two-week intervals.
You can find the situation in your region here.
Length of quarantine shortened
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) has changed its guidance on self-isolation and quarantine ordered by an infectious disease doctor and from 12 October the length of quarantine is 10 days.
You can find a summary of current information on Covid-related measures on the government website.
Also keep an eye on the PAM coronavirus website, where you will find a summary of current information on services and how Covid is affecting employment.