Recommendation to meet with no more than five persons outside family to be lifted

Government Communications DepartmentMinistry of Social Affairs and Health

31.1.2022 18.58

News item 56/2022

At its meeting on 7 January, the Ministerial Working Group on COVID-19 issued a recommendation that people meet with no more than five persons outside their immediate family at a time. In a written procedure on Monday 31 January, the Ministerial Working Group decided to lift this recommendation as of 1 February.

Summary of earlier decisions on amendments to COVID-19 restrictions entering into force at the beginning of February

In line with decisions and guidelines issued earlier, a number of COVID-19 restrictions and recommendations will be eased starting on 1 February.

Internal border control to end, restrictions on external border traffic to continue until 14 February

Internal border control, which was reinstated for traffic between Finland and all Schengen countries at the end of December, will end on 31 January. Restrictions on external border traffic will remain in force until 14 February. Entry restrictions for non-Schengen EU countries will also be lifted entirely as of 1 February due to the end of internal border control.

However, all passengers must present the required certificates as laid down in the Communicable Diseases Act and comply with the decisions made by the regional state administrative agencies on compulsory health examinations.

EU COVID-19 vaccination certificates to be valid for nine months when used for travel purposes

From February 2022 onwards, EU COVID-19 vaccination certificates will be accepted for travel purposes for a period of nine months since the last dose of the primary vaccination series. As of yet, no acceptance period will apply to certificates issued following booster doses. Once more than 270 days have passed from the second shot of a two-dose series, the EU COVID-19 vaccination certificate will no longer be accepted for travel within the EU.

Restrictions on use of COVID-19 passport extended – restaurant restrictions eased

As of 1 February, COVID-19 restrictions will be eased for ‘lower-risk’ food and beverage service businesses. These businesses may serve alcohol until 20.00 and remain open until 21.00. Low-risk establishments are restaurants whose main purpose is not to serve alcohol. The number of customer seats in these businesses will continue to be restricted to 75 per cent of the normal maximum capacity.

For businesses that primarily serve alcoholic beverages, the current restrictions will continue so that alcohol may be served until 17.00 and the doors must close at 18.00. The restrictions on the number of customer seats will also remain unchanged, meaning that only half of the normal maximum number of customers can be present at a time.

Businesses requiring COVID-19 passports as a condition for entry may not use this as a way to circumvent the restrictions on the number of customer seats, alcohol service hours or opening hours. However, restaurants still have the right to require customers to present a valid COVID-19 passport as a condition for entry.

Restrictions on low-risk events and premises to be eased

The general hygiene requirements for operators will remain in force. Separate decisions may be made to restrict the number of participants in events or premises or to prohibit events or activities altogether. The decisions will take into account an assessment of the risk of infection and transmission associated with the event or activity. Decisions on restrictions are made by the municipality or by the Regional State Administrative Agency if the decisions apply to several municipalities.

From the start of February, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health recommends not prohibiting low-risk public events altogether and placing restrictions on these events only if absolutely necessary. Similarly, low-risk premises intended for customers or activity participants should not be closed down altogether, nor should their use be restricted unless absolutely necessary. The ministry also recommends that people attending permitted events and users of customer premises take a COVID-19 test at home in advance.

Distance learning recommendation for higher education institutions to be lifted

The recommendation on distance learning at higher education institutions and the recommendation to restrict recreational activities for children and young people will be discontinued as of 1 February.