Finland will go into a partial three-week shutdown from 8 March as the country’s coronavirus situation has been deteriorating since Christmas, the Finnish government has announced. According to Interior Minister Maria Ohisalo, this will be the “final spurt to accelerate toward brighter times.”
While attempts to prevent the spread of the UK COVID-strain, which accounts for about 30% of the new coronavirus cases, have failed, infection rates, especially emanating from construction sites, have been alarming. For now, only 10% of Finns have been vaccinated.
The partial shutdown will come into force in the seven areas currently in the “spreading” stage of the pandemic. Bars, pubs, restaurants, and nightclubs will close, while daycare and early education facilities will remain open. Though gatherings of more than six people will not be allowed, businesses suffering from the measures have been promised compensation.
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Coronavirus restrictions could be tightened as case numbers continue to rise in several regions.
Over 200,000 people have now been vaccinated.
Image: Kalle Niskala / Yle
An electronic system for coronavirus vaccination certificates should be in place by the end of April, reports Wednesday morning s Helsingin Sanomat.
The news follows Tuesday night s government meeting at the House of the Estates, where measures to strengthen virus-related restrictions were also discussed.
The price tag for the certification system is estimated to be around 3.5 million euros, the paper says. Vaccination certificates will be accessible via the Omakanta online prescription and health records system, which will produce a scannable barcode or QR code.
The latest measures are aimed at tackling the spread of new coronavirus variants.
Interior Minister Maria Ohisalo (left) and Social Services Minister Krista Kiuru at Friday evening s press conference.
Image: Antti Aimo-Koivisto / Lehtikuva
Finland is to bar all but essential travel as it looks to curb the potential spread of new, more highly contagious variants of the virus.
The latest measures include the increased rollout of coronavirus testing at all border points and further restrictions on cross-border traffic with the exception of essential work-related trips and meetings with close family.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday evening, Interior Minister