prime minister Sanna Marin (SDP) has urged people to avoid going to indoor leisure services, even though these services are still open.
"I will appeal to this for three weeks. Even if the facilities were open, I wouldn’t go to places where I would meet other people. We must avoid all social contact," Marin told Yle’s A-Studio on Tuesday.
The government plans to introduce a three-week standstill to slow the spread of the coronavirus, even the Speaker of Parliament Anu Vehviläinen (Cen) has said he does not believe that proposals to force the closure of bars and restaurants can be made by law on Monday, March 8, which is scheduled to start the closure.
On 26 February, 720 new cases of coronavirus were reported in Finland, an all-time high.
"We strive to keep the coronavirus situation under control. However, we also want to do the right thing legally, and that is why things are now being clarified before any legal clause is introduced," Marin told Yle.
Legal dispute over restrictions
The Prime Minister’s petition comes after the Ministry of Health and Avi of Southern Finland disagreed that the gyms and other indoor leisure facilities in Helsinki and some Uusimaa municipalities were forced to close.
The capital’s leisure facilities were originally closed on March 1 before being opened on Tuesday by setting a capacity limit of 10 people.
"The situation is serious. We have a competent authority, the Regional Government of Southern Finland (Avi), which has interpreted the section on the closure of farms differently," Marin said.
"The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (STM) is now assessing whether the law needs to be clarified. My position is that a detailed proposal should be submitted to Parliament," he added.
Chairman of the National Coalition Party Petteri Orpo on Tuesday called on parliament to discuss the introduction of emergency powers.
"The government operates on the basis of a parliamentary mandate. All emergency powers must be referred to Parliament. This matter needs to be clarified as a matter of urgency," Orpo wrote on Twitter.
The government is due to discuss the implementation of stricter coronavirus restrictions – including a possible curfew, which may include restrictions in certain areas or at certain times – later on Wednesday.
Source: The Nordic Page