On 2 December 2021, the Regional State Administrative Agency for Southern Finland decided that the number of participants in indoor public events and general meetings in the metropolitan area would be limited to 20 people. In a public event, the restriction applies to the entire duration and area of the event. In addition, the Regional State Administrative Agency requires the use of both premises open to the public and premises intended for the presence of a limited number of customers or participants to be organized in such a way that the risk of infection caused by close contact between customers and participants can be prevented. The decision is valid from 4.–31.12.2021. Operators have a possibility to avoid these restrictions by introducing the COVID-19 passport in their activities. On this basis, the City of Helsinki will introduce the COVID-19 passport for all activities where it is possible.
From 4 December 2021 onwards, the COVID-19 passport will be introduced at all public events organized by the city, and in some customer premises. For example, indoor sports venues, cultural centres and city museums, such as the HAM Helsinki Art Museum, the Helsinki City Museum and the Burgher’s House Museum, will introduce the COVID-19 passport into use. The COVID-19 passport will be required for city events and some customer facilities until the end of 2021. In the operation of sports halls, the COVID-19 passport will be introduced from 7 December 2021 onwards. Prior to that, operations shall be subject to the restrictions of section 58 d.
The operator must make a written plan of the measures it will take to prevent the risk of infection from close contact between customers or participants. If the operator requires a COVID-19 passport from customers as an alternative to restrictions, this must also be recorded in the plan. The plan must be kept available on the premises for customers and participants to see. (except at public events).
The COVID-19 passport may not be introduced in premises that are essential for normal life or legal rights. For this reason, for example, the COVID-19 passport will not be used in libraries and youth services. Exceptions are public events held in these facilities, where participants over the age of 16-years-old are required to have a COVID-19 passport. The participation of children under the age of 16-years-old in public events is not restricted at all, even if the organizer requires other participants to have a COVID-19 passport.
A COVID-19 passport will also not be required at a pharmacy, retail, petrol station or post office, even if they were subject to restrictions in order to comply with a Regional State Administrative Agency order. In these premises, operations must be organized in such a way as to prevent the risk of infection from close contact.
The Regional State Administrative Agency also reminds that the general hygiene requirements of Section 58 c of the Communicable Diseases Act must be observed throughout Finland in different customer and public premises, regardless of whether a COVID-19 passport is used. For further information, please visit the Regional State Administrative Agency’s website: What are the hygiene requirements in the Communicable Diseases Act?(Link leads to external service)
The City of Helsinki encourages people to seek COVID-19 vaccination without delay if they are not yet fully vaccinated.
Information session for the partners of the Culture and Leisure Division
The Culture and Leisure Division’s partner info will be held on December 3 from 15:00–16:00.
At the press conference, Tommi Laitio, Director of Culture and Leisure Division, will discuss how the new restrictions will affect cultural and leisure services. The information session is open to everyone, join us via Teams(Link leads to external service).
More information:
Recommendations and restrictions effective in Helsinki
Helsinki – coronavirus updates
Photo: Maarit Hohteri