Swimming halls, gyms and other indoor sports facilities managed by the City of Helsinki will open their doors on Tuesday, 1 February. Libraries, museums and youth centres are also open as usual. At the cultural centres – Annantalo, Caisa, Kanneltalo, Malmitalo, Maunula House, Stoa and Vuosaari House – the galleries are open and performances will start in March. Performances at the Savoy Theatre will continue in February within the current restrictions.
All indoor facilities of the City of Helsinki will continue to operate in a health-secure manner. In all indoor areas, it is recommended that people over the age of 12 wear a face mask, unless health reasons prevent this. In addition, it is necessary to ensure good hand hygiene and keep a safe distance from others.
In accordance with section 58d of the Communicable Diseases Act, indoor activities in cultural and recreational facilities are arranged in such a way that the risk posed by close contact between customers, participants and groups can be prevented. If necessary, the number of customers is limited indoors, visits are staggered and seat arrangements are made.
COVID-19 passport no longer required at the City of Helsinki’s swimming halls, museums and public events
On Tuesday, 1 February, the Metropolitan Area coronavirus coordination group discussed the further use of the COVID-19 passport in services provided by the cities. The group decided that the COVID-19 passport is not required as a condition for admission for the time being. The situation will be reassessed when the national guidelines for using the COVID-19 passport are further specified. The COVID-19 passport is therefore no longer required at city-managed sports facilities, museums, cultural facilities or public events.
Swimming halls, gyms and other indoor sports facilities open to all
On 31 January, the Regional State Administrative Agency for Southern Finland issued its most recent decisions on preventing the spread of COVID-19. According to the decision, indoor sports facilities will again be open to all ages from 1 February. For competition, match and tournament audiences, the decisions of the Regional State Administrative Agency on public events are followed, i.e. only seated events for up to 50 people are allowed.
At outdoor sports facilities, people of all ages can continue to exercise as usual, and public events at such facilities are also allowed without audience restrictions. Public outdoor events must follow the health and safety guidelines, i.e. it must be possible to keep a safe distance from others and take care of hand hygiene.
The following health and safety guidelines must be followed in recreational activities:
- Each recreational activity group always meets in the same composition.
- Avoid contact with other groups.
- Do not participate in recreational activities with flu symptoms.
- Recreational activities follow the general guidelines on hand and coughing hygiene.
- The risk of infection caused by close contact between customers, participants and groups is prevented.
- Operators can meet their obligations by restricting the number of customers, implementing measures regarding customer seats or space arrangements or by some other method that takes into consideration the special characteristics of their operations.
- Unnecessary physical contact must be avoided in recreational activities.
- Sufficient distance between participants must be arranged, and as much space as possible is provided in general.
- It is strongly recommended that instructors and people aged 12 and over wear a face mask indoors, unless health reasons absolutely prevent its use.
- You do not need to wear a mask during sports activities.
- For competition, match and tournament audiences, the decisions of the Regional State Administrative Agency on public events are followed, i.e. only seated events for up to 50 people are allowed.
- All those taking part in recreational activities are instructed to follow the health and safety guidelines provided.
- Guidance and compliance monitoring are always the responsibility of the organiser.
- Even for outdoor recreational activities, it is recommended to follow the principles described above, where applicable.
Validity of season and serial tickets for sports activities to be extended
The validity of the City of Helsinki’s season and serial tickets for sports activities is extended by as many days as their use has been prevented by the facilities being closed. The City of Helsinki Sports Services’ group exercise classes will begin on 7 March.
Libraries open to all
All library services are open to city residents. Library facilities can be booked starting 1 February, and personal guidance and group visits are also possible. Public events are held within the current restrictions, which means that up to 50 people can attend the event and must have designated seats. Libraries comply with restrictions on the number of customers and other arrangements to reduce the risk of infection caused by close contact.
Sakarinmäki Library will be closed and Myllypuro Library and Roihuvuori Library will have reduced opening hours from 19 January to 16 March.
Youth centres open
There are around 70 youth centres in various parts of Helsinki. At the youth centres, you can spend time and have fun skateboarding, playing games and doing arts, for example. Starting in February, there will again be camp activities for young people and seated public events for up to 50 people.
Museums are open
The Helsinki City Museum and HAM Helsinki Art Museum are open.
At the Helsinki City Museum, the exhibition Dear Tallinn – Stories of our Neighbour will continue until the end of February, taking a peek at Helsinki residents’ stories from Tallinn from the 1980s to the present day. Children’s Town is also open. Admission to the Helsinki City Museum is always free.
At HAM Helsinki Art Museum, the Greta Hällfors-Sipilä & Sulho Sipilä exhibition will continue. The exhibition Between Objects will open on Friday, 4 February, presenting artworks acquired for HAM’s collection over the past 10 years in dialogue with artworks by contemporary artists from Estonia. Saturday workshops and guided tours will continue from 5 March. Until 24 March, HAM offers admission for two people at the price of one.
Performances at cultural centres start in March, screenings at Malmitalo’s Kino Helios and performances at Savoy Theatre in February
At Annantalo, Caisa, Kanneltalo, Malmitalo, Maunula House, Stoa and Vuosaari House, performances will start on 1 March. In February, there will already be seated performances for up to 50 people at the Savoy Theatre. Cinema screenings at Kino Helios in Malmitalo will start in February. Recreational activities for children and young people will continue within the current restrictions, and courses and teaching activities for family groups can be started again. The cultural centres’ galleries are open and the exhibitions are available free of charge.