Markus Lohi (Center), chairman of Parliament’s Social Affairs and Health Committee, announced at a press conference yesterday that the committee is proposing to amend the bill proposed by the government by raising the minimum age from 12 to 16 years. All 16-17 year olds, as well as people who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, will be guaranteed access to free public sector testing if their passport is accepted.
He estimates that the proposal will receive support from legislators on Friday, when the passport can be introduced on Saturday.
Parliament’s debate was tight and close. The basic Finns put forward a proposal to postpone the matter until today’s plenary session, when they had long considered the passport unnecessary in circumstances where vaccination coverage is close to 80%. The Social Democrats responded with a counter-proposal stating that the bill must be considered without delay, and its proposal receives the necessary support.
The motion to dismiss the matter was made by Mika Niikko (PS).
“The chairman of the Social and Health Committee was not present and he was not expected to arrive, not to mention that the minister was also present. We wanted to postpone the discussion so that the minister had time to speak, ”he explained to STT.
Minister of Family and Social Affairs Krista Kiuru (SDP) later joined the session to answer questions.
The government has outlined that the passport should only be used in situations where restrictions apply, such as participation in cultural events and the use of sports facilities. It will be available to people who have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, have recently recovered from a coronavirus disease, or have a negative virus test.
The passport could currently be used mainly in nightclubs in areas where the supply of alcohol has to stop by midnight. A nightclub that requires its guests to hold a passport may be open until late at night.
For example, gyms, concerts and sporting events may not require passports from their customers or participants as long as they are outside the limits. If regional authorities decide to restrict the use of such facilities, operators can circumvent the restrictions by accepting a passport.
Salmon stressed on Tuesday that the possible introduction of a passport should not be misinterpreted as a license to restrict release.
Aleksi Teivainen – HT