Finland: New regional restrictions on food and beverage service businesses – Three regions and Greater Helsinki area move to COVID-19 community transmission phase

NordenBladet — The Government has amended the decree that restricts the activities of food and beverage service businesses due to the COVID-19 epidemic. The regions of Southwest Finland, Pirkanmaa, Kymenlaakso and the cities of the Greater Helsinki area are moving to the community transmission phase of the epidemic. The regions of South Ostrobothnia, South Karelia and Ostrobothnia are moving to the acceleration phase of the epidemic.

The decree will enter into force on 8 August 2021 at 00.00.

Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses in the regions of Southwest Finland, Pirkanmaa and Kymenlaakso, and in Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen, which are all at the community transmission phase of the epidemic, from 8 August 00 o’clock:Food and beverage service businesses may serve alcoholic beverages between 7.00 and 22.00 and be open between 5.00 and 23.00.

Food and beverage service businesses that primarily serve alcoholic beverages are restricted to only half of their normal number of customer seats. This applies not only to indoor areas but also, as a new restriction, to outdoors areas. Other food and beverage service businesses are restricted to 75 per cent of their normal number of customer seats indoors and outdoors.  All customers of food and beverage service businesses must have their own seat at a table or counter. This applies to both indoor and outdoor premises. A ban is also imposed on dancing and karaoke in indoor premises. Customers will instead be directed to sit in their seats.

Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses in the regions of Satakunta, Kanta-Häme, Päijät-Häme, South Karelia, North Savo, North Karelia, Central Finland, South Ostrobothnia, Ostrobothnia and Kainuu, and in those parts of Uusimaa outside Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen, which are all at the acceleration phase of the epidemic, from 8 August 00 o’clock:Food and beverage service businesses may serve alcoholic beverages between 7.00 and 00.00 and be open between 5.00 and 1.00.

Food and beverage service businesses that primarily serve alcoholic beverages are restricted to half of their normal number of customer seats indoors. Other food and beverage service business are restricted to 75 per cent of their normal number of customer seats indoors. As before, all customers must have their own seat by a table or counter when indoors. The number of customer seats in outdoor terraces is not limited. Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses in the regions of Åland, North Ostrobothnia, Central Ostrobothnia, South Savo and Lapland from 8 August 00 o’clock: There are no separate restrictions on the number of customers or on licensing and opening hours.An exception to this applies to food and beverage service businesses in Åland. These businesses may serve alcoholic beverages between 7.00 and 00.00 and be open between 5.00 and 1.00.

As before, all customers must have their own seat by a table or counter when indoors.The obligation to observe the general hygiene guidelines and to keep a safe distance applies in all regions.

Exceptions to restrictions remain unchanged
The restrictions laid down in the decree do not apply to the activities of staff restaurants or to takeaway sales of food to customers. The restrictions on opening hours do not apply to food and beverage service businesses on vessels and aircraft that operate between Finland and other countries or abroad or to food and beverage service businesses that operate at distribution stations for liquid fuels.