Temporary restrictions on use of COVID-19 passport to enter into force in South Savo and North Karelia

NordenBladet — The Government has issued a decree amending section 58i of the Communicable Diseases Act to temporarily restrict the use of the COVID-19 passport. The COVID-19 passport cannot be used as an alternative to regional restrictions on public events and customer premises in the hospital districts of South Savo and North Karelia.The amendment to the decree will enter into force on Thursday 31 December 2021 at 00.00.By virtue of the decree, the effects of the COVID-19 passport will be temporarily restricted between 30 December 2021 and 20 January 2022, when it cannot be used as an alternative to regional restrictions on certain public events and customer premises.The decree will apply to all public events and customer premises that are subject to existing restrictions. Regional authorities will decide what restrictions are in place in their areas. Any questions on the restrictions should be directed to the Regional State Administrative Agencies. They also supervise compliance with the restrictions.The derogation to the use of the COVID-19 passport will apply to the areas of the hospital districts that meet the characteristics of community transmission areas. These include the following hospital districts: Helsinki and Uusimaa, Southwest Finland, Satakunta, Kanta-Häme, Pirkanmaa, Päijät-Häme, Kymenlaakso, South Karelia, North Karelia, South Savo, East Savo, North Savo, Central Finland, Vaasa, South Ostrobothnia, Central Ostrobothnia, North Ostrobothnia, Länsi-Pohja and Lapland.This temporary regulation, necessitated by the exceptional epidemiological situation, will help in safeguarding people’s right to health and wellbeing by curbing the rapid spread of the disease. Improving the vaccination coverage is the most significant means of curbing the epidemic effectively.The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health instructs the Regional State Administrative Agencies to examine the restrictions on public events and customer premises in their areas of operation, especially as concerns low-risk events.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi