Normalcy returns in full…
Coronavirus latest: Restrictions loosened on restaurants and hospitals, ministry predicts slow recovery, one death in past week, violent crime up
This article brings you the latest updates on the novel coronavirus pandemic in Finland.
- 7,117 lab-confirmed infections as of Wednesday (17.6), up by 5 since Tuesday
- 326 deaths as of Wednesday: no increase since Sunday, only one in the past week
- 26 people in hospital on Wednesday (up by 4), two in intensive care (unchanged)
- At least 6,200 people, or about 85% of confirmed Covid-19 patients, have recovered
- Norway re-opens borders to Finland
- Travel across Gulf of Finland starts up as restrictions lifted
- Finland’s state of emergency officially ended on Tuesday
18.6 13:18 Gov’t to extend entrepreneur benefit scheme
Yle News’ podcast All Points North has learned that government is planning to extend coverage of entrepreneurs under the unemployment benefits scheme until the end of this year.
“A government proposal is in Parliament and it proposes that the benefit will be granted until the end of the year,” Kela legal counsel Teija Hautera told APN. There is more on this story here.
17.6 20:20 Gov gives restaurants, hospitals more leeway
Prime Minister Sanna Marin‘s cabinet has lifted some restrictions on restaurants, hospitals and public events.
As of Monday, pubs and restaurants will be allowed to sell alcohol between 9am and 1am, and remain open until 4am. They may also serve up to 75 percent of their normal capacity indoors, as long as each customer has a seat. Restaurants will also once again be allowed to offer buffets.
Hospitals may allow visitors at their own discretion, and public events of more than 500 people will be allowed indoors or out without a special permit after 1 August. Details here.
17.6 17:39 Fishing soared in popularity amid epidemic
As the Covid-19 pandemic began to spread into Finland, demand for fishing permits rose sharply. In March, applications increased by as much as 50 percent compared to a year earlier, the state-owned environmental services firm Metsähallitus said on Wednesday.
Applications were up by more than 30 percent during April and May, the agency said. Find out more here.
17.6 16:50 Violent crimes spike during corona spring
Reported incidents of violent crime increased in Finland during the spring, says the National Police Board. There were more premeditated homicides and attempted homicides during the first five months of 2020 than in any comparable period over the past decade. Details here.
