Finland removes all restrictions aimed at fighting pandemic

Finland on Tuesday lifted all restrictions linked to the covid-19 pandemic. The announcement was made this Monday by the Prime Minister of Finland, Sanna Marin.

Prime Minister Sanna Marin made the announcement during a meeting with the Publishers Association, state broadcaster Yleisradio Oy (Yle) reported.

According to Yle, some of the measures agreed upon by the Council of Ministers on Thursday are expected to take effect this week.

Thus, the head of the government, said that as of yesterday, Tuesday the restrictions to which travelers from the Schengen Area have been subjected until now will disappear and it will no longer be mandatory to present a vaccination or recovery certificate or a negative PCR test, as it was the case since December.

Still, travelers arriving from third countries will have to meet both requirements, although these conditions - which do not affect Finnish citizens or residents - are to be lifted on February 14.

Also starting Tuesday, establishments serving meals will be able to stay open until 9:00 pm, instead of having to close at 6:00 pm, as they currently do, and will be able to sell alcohol until 8:00 pm.

However, the rule that bars and other establishments serving mainly alcoholic beverages must close their doors at 6 p.m. will be maintained.

On the other hand, hotel establishments will retain the right to apply for a covid passport as a condition of admission to the premises, and it is possible that doing so from mid-February will exempt them from restrictions on opening hours, according to Yle.

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