Finnish PM seeks to lift all Covid restrictions in February

Finland should try to remove all Covid-related restrictions during the month of February, the country’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin (SDP) said on Monday.

The PM made the comments at a meeting with the Association of Editors, a group dealing with journalism, freedom of expression and editorial work, a couple of days after the country marked the third year of dealing with the epidemic.

Government parties meet on Wednesday to discuss possible changes to Covid restrictions.

Following decisions reached last week, some Covid-related restrictions are to be eased this week.

Starting on Tuesday, February 1, establishments that primarily serve food will be allowed to stay open until 9pm. But, establishments that mainly serve alcoholic beverages will still be required to stop alcohol sales at 5pm and shut down for the day at 6pm.

Restaurants will be able to retain the right to require Covid passes from customers as a condition of admission. On the other hand, use of the passes will not exempt restaurants from restrictions on alcohol sales and opening hours, at least until mid-February.

Public gyms and swimming pools in the Uusimaa region will also be permitted to operate starting on Tuesday.

Starting on Tuesday, regulations at Finland’s borders for passengers arriving from Schengen Area countries as well as non-Schengen EU member states will be lifted.

Related stories from around the North: 

Canada: Canada’s Northwest Territories reports 15th COVID-19 death as active cases decrease, CBC News

Greenland: Greenland widens alcohol bans in order to control spread of COVID-19, Eye on the Arctic

Norway: Murmansk tightens COVID-19 restrictions while Norway eases them, The Independent Barents Observer

Russia: Amid record Covid-19 cases in both countries, Norway ends mandatory entry quarantine for travelers from Russia, The Independent Barents Observer

Sweden: Swedish government announces new restrictions following sharp rise in COVID-19 cases, Radio Sweden