Finland levies a lockdown

U.K. variant driving infection surge

Finland will enter a COVID lockdown as infections rise.

 
Finnish Family Affairs Minister Krista Kiuru. 

“Finland is drifting into a situation in which the COVID situation has deteriorated very rapidly.”

In a press conference this morning Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin says virus mutations especially the U.K. variant are spreading too fast. 

“Previous tools are no longer enough to manage virus transformation.” 

Marin says the  three week lockdown will be in force from March 8th to the 28th. 

The lockdown includes a ban on groups of more than six people, students in upper secondary schools moving to distance learning, and restaurants in areas with high infection rates ordered to close. 

The move to close restaurants will require legislation to be passed, something Marin anticipates can be done quickly. Restaurants will still be allowed to serve take out. 

As Finland prepares for a corona lockdown the Mayor of Helsinki Jan Vapaavuori tweeted that the U.K. coronavirus variant is spreading too fast while vaccinations have been too slow. 

The lockdown announcement comes as new prohibitions have been announced for Finland’s most populace region, Uusimaa. The region covers a section of Finland that includes Helsinki and the surrounding metro area. 

The region has mandated beginning today all indoor spaces with a capacity for more than ten people and outdoor spaces that can hold 50 or more must ensure two meters social distancing for all customers and event attendees.

The social distancing mandate will also apply to commercial businesses and religious entities. However, small businesses with a capacity for fewer than ten people are exempt.