The Finnish government has approved an updated Covid-19 testing and monitoring strategy, which aims to reduce the number of tests performed and improve monitoring.
According to the updated strategy, testing will focus on people who have been exposed to the virus, as well as unvaccinated symptomatic individuals and individuals who have been vaccinated but are at higher risk of infection.
This means that the government’s previous recommendation that people who have received two coronavirus vaccines apply for the Covid test is no longer valid, Minister for Family and Social Affairs Krista Kiuru (SDP) confirmed at a news conference on Tuesday afternoon.
"Now the situation has changed. For those with strong vaccine protection, there is no reason to suspect that it is not enough to keep the vaccine [Covid] infection away," the minister said.
Instead, the Department of Social Affairs and Health has a short, two-word recommendation for people who have received both doses and who have symptoms of a respiratory infection.
"Stay home," Head of Ministry Taneli Puumalainen said.
The new strategy will take effect immediately.
Fully vaccinated can still be tested
Despite the updated strategy and recommendations, Kiuru stressed that the government will still allow fully vaccinated but asymptomatic people to test if they want to do so.
"This is especially true for children, as there has been a debate about whether they should be tested further," Kiuru said.
"Getting the test is not meant to be difficult, but needs to be directed more appropriately," added the chief physician Mikko Pietilä at a Tuesday afternoon press conference.
Fully vaccinated will be tested in the future as a lower priority group compared to healthcare workers, patients at increased risk of infection, and patients who come to the hospital or first aid, Pietilä explained.
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health justified the change in strategy on the grounds that current testing and tracking activities are placing a significant strain on the health care system and could ultimately lead to a decline in access to certain services in some areas.
Pasi Pohjola according to the ministry, as vaccination coverage increases, the number of staff and resources dedicated to testing and monitoring can be reduced. However, he added that this is unlikely to happen "overnight".
Increased role in home testing
The ministry also recommended that fully vaccinated people use home tests if they experience respiratory symptoms, although the veracity of these tests is still unclear.
"The big question for the future is whether people want to use home tests to make sure they are fit for work, school, hobbies, or to attend various gatherings," Kiuri said.
One of the biggest potential threats associated with an increase in infections or a new wave of pandemics is the possible emergence of new virus variants. Chief Physician Pietilä pointed out that these variants can be detected by testing as soon as possible.
Therefore, even if the testing capacity is reduced, the possibility to increase the level of both testing and tracing is maintained.
In addition to the updated strategy, Kiuru also said at a press conference that a proposal to introduce a Covid passport is expected to come to Parliament in the coming days.