βThe government talked about the coronavirus situation, which is alarming. The disease is spreading especially among the unvaccinated and people end up in hospital, Marin stated To YLE on Wednesday.
The strategy removes the three phases of regional epidemiological situations – baseline, acceleration and community mediation – but restrictions on restaurant operations remain dependent on the epidemiological situation and risk profile in each region. Marin revealed that authorities will assess early next week where restrictions are currently needed.
The government also considered the possibility of extending the scope of the coronavirus passport in an effort to increase vaccination coverage. Marin revealed that the government is ready to extend the passport to cover jobs, for example, despite the possibility of constitutional problems.
He stated before the meeting that even if the government wanted to increase coverage to at least 90 percent, it would fail to set a formal target.
Minister of Family and Social Affairs Krista Kiuru (SDP) later clarified yesterday that the government is considering passport-independent restrictions.
“We are looking today that the coronavirus passport itself could act as a constraint and possibly be used in the workplace. We also suggested exploring the possibility of making a change to the law that would oblige employers to better vaccinate social and health care staff,” he told YLE.
Another topic of discussion was mandatory vaccinations.
Marin said all social and health care staff should be vaccinated against the disease, but had reservations about mandatory vaccinations for the entire population. Minister of Justice Anna-Maja Henriksson (SFP) said before the meeting that he considers the concept of mandatory vaccinations a stranger.
βIf caring for the elderly, it would be responsible to be vaccinated,β he pointed out.
Henriksson also estimates that extending the coronavirus passport to workplaces is a legally difficult, but not entirely impossible, option.
Aleksi Teivainen – HT