“The use of the coronavirus passport to open low-risk cultural and sporting events and to extend the opening hours of food restaurants needs to be weighed up in a shorter timeframe,” he added.
Marin had stated about a week ago that the government could begin a gradual easing of restrictions in mid-February.
“If the epidemiological situation allows, the gradual easing of restrictions and the reintroduction of the coronavirus passport could start after mid-February. The modalities and modalities for easing the restrictions will be outlined in the updated coronavirus strategy and will be decided separately by the government at a later stage. ”Read government press release dated 18 January.
As early as the end of January, the government has agreed to abandon its recommendations on leisure activities for children and young people and distance learning in higher education.
Helsingin Sanomat on Wednesday wroteciting sources in the government, the prime minister discussed relaxing the shorter-term restrictions with the presidents of other parliamentary groups and decided not to submit the conclusions to the ministry of social affairs and health for approval. The ministry has advocated more stringent measures to combat the coronavirus pandemic than, for example, the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
One reason for the change in mind may be a series of decisions announced by regional authorities, including in the metropolitan area, to ease restrictions.
For example, the working group coordinating the fight against the epidemic in the metropolitan area announced this week that it would recommend phasing out restrictions on common areas for low-risk facilities such as gyms, swimming pools and shopping malls from 1 February.
It cited, for example, the reduction in the burden on social and health care as a justification for the decision.
Asko JärvinenChief Physician for Infectious Diseases of the Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District (HUS), told me YLE said yesterday that the Helsinki metropolitan area may have already been at the peak of its own micron epidemic.
“Patient numbers have been really stable for a couple of weeks now. This probably means that the epidemic has already peaked, even though the number of patients is still really high, ”he said.
Last week, the Pirkanmaa authorities imposed restrictions on indoor sports facilities, indoor playgrounds and common areas in shopping centers.
The Finnish government is expected to meet to discuss the extension of restaurant restrictions and the shelving of the coronavirus passport either this week or next week, Helsingin Sanomat says.
Aleksi Teivainen – HT
Source: The Nordic Page