At its meeting on Thursday 24 June 2021, the Metropolitan Area coronavirus coordination group outlined that adult indoor sports facilities run by the cities may be opened on a limited basis from 1 July onwards. This applies, for example, to the free use of gyms and sports halls and to the provision of indoor sports for adults. Up to half of the normal number of customers can be admitted to sports facilities and group sports. Adult competition activities related to activities will also be allowed indoors from 1 July onwards.
The cities will provide more detailed information on the opening of locations in the week after Midsummer.
The coordination group also recommended the continuation of remote work for the time being. Such work tasks that can be done remotely should still generally be performed remotely.
Among the travellers who have returned from Russia in recent days, several dozen coronavirus infections have been detected in the municipalities of the metropolitan area alone. The coordination group is concerned about the situation and reminds everyone that if you have recently stayed in Russia and, especially, if you have returned to Finland without taking a health check at the border, you should apply for a coronavirus test as soon as possible. It is everyone’s responsibility to make sure that there is no risk of an infection to others.
The infection may not yet show up in a test taken upon arrival in Finland. It is very important to apply for a second test no earlier than 72 hours from the previous test. Social contacts should be avoided until another negative test result is obtained. The easiest way to book a test time is at finentry.fi/en/(Link leads to external service).
In the Helsinki metropolitan area, the epidemic situation has not improved in the last few days, and it is particularly important to adhere to health-safe practices during Midsummer.
The decision of the coordination group is based on an epidemiological assessment and overall consideration of the development of the coronavirus situation and the instructions can be changed quickly if the situation so requires.
The Metropolitan Area coronavirus coordination group prepares local decision-making
The Cities of Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa, and the Regional State Administrative Agency for Southern Finland established the Metropolitan Area coronavirus coordination group on 10 September 2020. In line with a regional operating model devised by Finland’s Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the group aims to strengthen the formation of a common situational assessment and to coordinate and prepare local and regional measures.
The group consists of top management from each member organisation and is responsible for the preparation and coordination of decision-making based on a shared assessment of the situation. Each member makes decisions independently, within its own sphere of authority. The group further intensifies the close metropolitan area collaboration that has continued throughout the coronavirus crisis.
The City of Helsinki is responsible for organising the group’s operations.
In addition to the Cities of Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa, the City of Kauniainen will also adhere to the restrictions and recommendations of the coordination group.
Metropolitan Area coronavirus coordination group
Coronavirus updates from Helsinki
Photo: Geert Pieters /Unplash
