COVID-19 disease in Finland
The Finnish Government has approved an amendment to the Government Decree on Communicable Diseases by which COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus will no longer be classified as a generally hazardous communicable disease. In future, COVID-19 will be defined as a monitored communicable disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared on 5 May 2023 that COVID-19 no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.
Vaccinations are the most effective way to protect against a serious form of COVID-19. Vaccinations in accordance with the recommendations will also be important in the future. Monitoring the occurrence of variants and the morbidity caused by COVID-19 will continue, and measures to prevent infections can be stepped up if the disease burden increases.
Finnish institute for health and welfare provides situation update on coronavirus in Finland.
Responsibilities of the authorities
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is responsible for the general planning, guidance and monitoring of the prevention of infectious diseases. Prevention of infectious diseases is part of healthcare and social welfare services.
Responsibilities of the authorities are described here: