NordenBladet — The current state of emergency and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have a broad impact on all areas of society. In a state of emergency, the role of rapid dissemination of information and a clear division of responsibilities for coordinating and implementing communications is further emphasised. On 18 March, the Prime Minister’s Office made the decision to apply the powers laid down in section 106, subsection 1 of the Emergency Powers Act to the management and coordination of COVID-19 communications. The decision will remain in force until 30 April 2021 or, at the most, for as long as Finland is in a state of emergency as defined in the Emergency Powers Act.

On 11 March, Parliament decided that the decree on the use of powers laid down in section 106, subsection 1 of the Emergency Powers Act concerning the communications of managing authorities could remain in force. The decree will not apply in the autonomous region of Åland. The decree on the use of these powers will remain in force until 30 April 2021. The decision of the Prime Minister’s Office applies to the Government, its ministries and its subordinate central government agencies and units. The decision does not apply, for example, to the Office of the President of the Republic, to independent courts and supervisors of legality or to parliamentary agencies and institutions subordinate to Parliament, such as the Social Insurance Institute of Finland (Kela), nor does it apply to municipalities or joint municipal authorities.

In line with the decision, the Communications Department of the Prime Minister’s Office will manage COVID-19 communications within the Government and its ministries. The Communications Department will issue the necessary regulations to the communications departments of the ministries so that they can implement their COVID-19 communications measures. A strategic steering group for COVID-19 communications will be appointed to the management and coordination of communications measures concerning COVID-19.

The Communications Department of the Prime Minister’s Office will coordinate the COVID-19 communications measures of central government agencies and other units. These authorities will keep the Communications Department informed of their plans and measures related to COVID-19 communications. In other respects, these agencies will manage their communications independently. The Communications Department will implement COVID-19 communications campaigns in cooperation with national and regional authorities.

The Prime Minister’s Office will not issue regulations to central government authorities on the content of their communications. The coordination and management of communications by the Prime Minister’s Office does not apply to communications concerning the research activities of state research institutes. Authorities and public officials are still obliged to communicate on issues for which they are responsible. The decision to adopt the section of the Emergency Powers Act concerning the management of communications does not eliminate this obligation. The scope of the situation and the intensification of COVID-19 communications will require the transfer of personnel from other ministries and agencies to the Communications Department of the Prime Minister’s Office. The Prime Minister’s office will agree on personnel arrangements with the other authorities.

Coordination aims to make communications clearer, more proactive and easier to understand
The most important fundamental right from the point of view of government communications is the right to obtain information on the preparations and decisions made by public authorities. Public authorities are therefore responsible for promoting openness in their activities and for producing and disseminating information so that citizens and other stakeholders can assess the authorities’ work, participate in initiatives under preparation and supervise their own interests and rights. The aim of coordinated COVID-19 communications is to provide citizens and communities with clear and understandable information on the development of the epidemic, the actions taken by the authorities to combat COVID-19 and the reasons for these actions. Communication can have a significant impact on the effectiveness of restrictive measures. Clear information makes it easier for people to act in ways that help them protect themselves and others from COVID-19 infections and prevent the spread of the virus. By enhancing joint communications and coordinating communication efforts, the Government will also be better equipped to combat misinformation and disinformation. There is a great deal of false and misleading information circulating about COVID-19 and vaccinations. At its worst, this information may threaten public health.

NordenBladet — An informal video meeting of the EU’s competitiveness ministers (internal market, industrial policy) on 22 March 2021 will discuss strategic autonomy in the European Union. Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä will represent Finland. Strategic autonomy refers to the EU’s independence and increased resilience in crises. The discussion is linked to the update of the EU’s industrial strategy, which will be published later in the spring. 

“The Union’s industrial strategy must focus on cyber security and digitalisation of European companies. The EU should be more determined in promoting industrial renewal and investments as part of the continent’s recovery,” Lintilä says.

Strategic dependencies in different sectors under examination
In October 2020, the European Council invited the Commission to identify strategic dependencies, particularly in the most sensitive sectors such as health that could threaten functional security in the EU. The Commission was also invited to propose measures to reduce dependency on raw materials, production or technologies from third countries in these sectors. The EU could increase its functional security in these sectors by diversifying production and supply chains, ensuring strategic stockpiling, and fostering production and investment in Europe. At the videoconference, the Commission will also present its recently published Communication on Europe’s Digital Decade. This is an important digital initiative by the Commission that sets out a vision and guidelines for the EU’s objectives until 2030 and emphasises sustainability and wellbeing.The initiative to this informal meeting came from the Portuguese Presidency. No decisions will be made at the meeting.

NordenBladet — Finland is preparing a digital COVID-19 vaccination certificate that will be compatible with the proposed EU model. The Finnish certificate will be available in the My Kanta Pages.

On Wednesday 17 March 2021, the European Commission presented a proposal to create a Digital Green Certificate, which is a COVID-19 certificate valid in all EU Member States. The Commission proposes that the Digital Green Certificate be a digital proof that a person has been vaccinated against COVID-19, recovered from COVID-19 or received a negative test result. The Finnish digital COVID-19 vaccination certificate, available in the My Kanta Pages, would contain the same information as the forthcoming Digital Green Certificate. In Finland, the digital vaccination certificate will be implemented in stages, and in the first phase, the certificate would prove that a person has been vaccinated against COVID-19. At a later stage, it would be possible to get similar certificates of negative test result and recovery from COVID-19.

The Digital Green Certificate would contain a QR code, and citizens could also request a paper version. The Finnish certificate could be digital vaccination data, a QR code or a combination of these available in the My Kanta Pages, and people could display the certificate on their mobile device or have it printed on paper. The certificate could be authenticated with the QR code.

Digital certificates of other vaccinations and examinations
The Commission proposes that the Digital Green Certificate be temporary. It could be used until the World Health Organization (WHO) declares the COVID-19 pandemic over.Finland’s aim is to make the digital vaccination certificate permanent so that in the future certificates of all kinds of vaccinations and even of laboratory tests and other examinations would be available in the My Kanta Pages. In this way, the functionalities and certificates now created in the My Kanta Pages would be permanent and available even after the COVID-19 pandemic.The Finnish vaccination certificate will rely on existing patient records and information available in the Kanta Services.

Precise uses still to be decided
As of yet, no decisions have been made in the EU or in Finland when or for what purposes people would need to show a COVID-19 certificate. The EU wants to help its citizens exercise their right to free movement within the EU. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) would restrict the certificate only for medical use. Moreover, the International Health Regulations limit the possibilities of requiring health certificates for travellers.

The Commission estimates that the Digital Green Certificate could be launched in June. Finland intends to introduce its own digital COVID-19 vaccination certificate by that time. The necessary changes to all the patient data systems in use will be made before the launch so that all the information needed for the vaccination certificate will be transferred from the patient data systems to the My Kanta Pages. In addition, a new decree specifying the Act on the Electronic Processing of Client Data in Healthcare and Social Welfare will have to be completed and implemented so that certificates of all kinds of vaccinations and laboratory tests would be available in the My Kanta Pages.

Information on vaccinations in stages in My Kanta Pages A new section has been added to the My Kanta Pages where users can view their vaccination information as soon as healthcare providers update their data recording practices. Before the information is viewable, changes must be made to the Kanta Services, too. At the moment, the Vaccinations section of the My Kanta Pages does not show information on all vaccinations.A digital COVID-19 vaccination certification can be issued only when all necessary information is available in the My Kanta Pages. Although users may already be able to see a record of their vaccination in the My Kanta Pages, some of the information necessary for the vaccination certificate may still be missing.

NordenBladet — The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has appointed Pasi Rajala to the post of Press Counsellor at the Embassy of Finland in Washington DC. The three-year term will start on 1 June 2021.

Rajala will move to Washington DC from the Finnish development financier Finnfund, where he is currently Director of Communications. Rajala has over 20 years of experience in various communications posts. His previous positions include Special European Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister, Communications Consultant, and Head of Communications at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Rajala holds a Master’s degree in Social Sciences.

“The United States is in many ways a particularly important partner for Finland. It’s therefore important that Finland’s voice is heard and that our expertise is known there. For me personally, it will be an honour to be sharing Finland’s great story with the Americans,” Rajala says.The Press Counsellor is responsible for the embassy’s external communications, social media, and media relations, as well as for the Finland programmes for the US Congress. The job includes also country branding, organisation of visits of opinion leaders, media monitoring, and coordination of the country branding and communications of the Team Finland network in the USA.

NordenBladet — Former minister and permanent secretary Hannele Pokka, currently Professor of Practice in environmental liability at the University of Helsinki, has been appointed to the Water and Climate Leaders Panel, established by the World Meteorological Organisation.

The high-level group of experts was established on the initiative of Petteri Taalas, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), to accelerate the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 6) relating to water and sanitation. The panel consists of both present and former heads of state and ministers, and representatives of civil society organisations, the private sector and youth.

At the current rate, the goal of ensuring water and sanitation for all, set in the 2030 Agenda, will not be met according to plan. States of emergency caused by climate change are directly linked to water: climate change weakens the availability of water and exacerbates damages caused by droughts worldwide. Clean water is a precondition for achieving the other SDGs. The importance of water supply, sanitation and hygiene has become highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Water as a human right
The appointment of Professor Hannele Pokka to the high-level panel strengthens Finland’s role as an operator in the water sector. Finland’s international water strategy (Finnish Water Way), is an approach drawn up by five ministries, which builds up responsible and equitable water security. “Finland has a high profile as an expert in the water sector. Our water strategy and expertise arouse interest around the world,” Professor Pokka says.

“In the Water and Climate Leaders Panel, I will concentrate on strengthening the knowledge base and global monitoring systems as well as on ensuring that water and climate matters are handled as an integral entity, not separately. It is of paramount importance to underline the human right to water and sanitation.”

Climate change underscores the urgency
The Water and Climate Leaders Panel was officially launched at a UN High-Level Meeting on the water-related goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda, held on 18 March 2021.Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari represented Finland at the meeting.

“The pace of climate change and its impact on water circulation underscore the urgent need to tackle the matter, which is why I warmly welcome the establishment of the high-level Water and Climate Leaders Panel. It is a great honour for Finland that Professor Pokka was appointed to the panel. The panel is essential in providing guidance on the promotion of integrated water and climate policies and agendas,” Minister Skinnari said.

NordenBladet — The Government proposes that companies be paid compensation if they, due to an Act or an official order, have to keep their premises closed in order to stop the spread of the coronavirus. This new form of compensation would apply to small and micro-sized enterprises that employ a maximum of 49 employees. The Government will prepare a separate compensation for larger companies as soon as possible.

The Government submitted the proposal to Parliament on 18 March 2021. The proposal supplements the proposal on the third application round for business cost support, which is currently under consideration by Parliament. The Act is due to enter into force on 12 April 2021. Companies would apply for the compensation at the State Treasury. Applications for the compensation could be accepted from the beginning of May.

“Large companies are starting to near the limit of aid, EUR 1.8 million, that they can receive under the EU State aid rules. Our negotiations with the European Commission on this matter are ongoing. However, we wanted to get the support to small companies out quickly. That is why there are two distinct support packages for small and large enterprises. Support for the event industry is also being prepared separately,” says Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä.

Compensation meant for restaurants and other businesses ordered to closeThis new form of compensation would apply to restaurants and other food and beverage service businesses that are closed from 9 to 28 March 2021 under the Act on Accommodation and Catering Operations. However, meals may be sold for takeaway. Such sales would be taken into account in the amount of compensation.

Compensation could also be paid to companies that the municipality or the Regional State Administrative Agency have the power to close under the Communicable Diseases Act. Such establishments include sports facilities, gyms, public saunas, swimming pools, spas and indoor playgrounds.  The compensation would be paid to companies for the period of closure if they are closed for more than 15 days. If a company has restricted the number of customers in its premises but has not closed completely, it would not be entitled to compensation. These companies can apply for business cost support.

The amount of compensation would be based on the company’s costs in February 2021 and the share of the company’s business operations that the closure affects. Compensation would be paid for 100% of payroll costs and for 70% of other costs, such as rent. Previously granted coronavirus support would be taken into consideration and the maximum amount of aid could not exceed EUR 1.8 million as per the EU State aid rules.

If the closure of customer premises is extended by law or by decision of an authority after the company has submitted its first application for compensation, the company may apply for subsequent compensation in periods of at least 14 calendar days. In this way, companies will receive the support quicker. The reference period for the compensation would remain the same, that is, the amount of compensation would be based on the company’s costs in February 2021.

Compensation is based on Parliament’s guidelines
The total amount of compensation that will be paid to companies for closure is estimated at EUR 70 million. About two-thirds of this amount is estimated to be used to support small and micro-sized enterprises and the remainder for large enterprises, for which the Government will prepare a separate proposal as soon as possible.Micro-sized enterprise is a company that employs fewer than 10 persons and whose annual turnover or balance sheet total does not exceed EUR 2 million. Small enterprise is a company that employs fewer than 50 persons and whose annual turnover or balance sheet total does not exceed EUR 10 million.The preparation of this compensation is based on Parliament’s guidelines according to which compensation must be paid to business operators in case of closure.

NordenBladet — The Finnish Government has approved Finland’s Africa strategy today. It will be used to diversify and deepen Finland’s relations with African countries, the African Union (AU) and regional organisations, with focus on political and economic relations.

The strategy covers the strategic priorities of Finland’s Africa policy and its aim is also to ensure a more comprehensive and coherent approach to Finland’s Africa policy. The emphasis of the strategy is based on the Government Report on Finnish Foreign and Security Policy.

According to Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto, significant changes have taken place in Africa in recent years. “Many African countries have experienced strong economic growth, the continent has become more integrated politically and economically, and the population is growing at a rapid rate. Africa has become more important strategically, geopolitically and in terms of commercial and economic relations. For instance, the ability of the African countries to adapt to climate change, preserve biodiversity and meet the challenges arising from population growth by providing young people with education, jobs and political power not only impacts development on the African continent, but also Europe and Finland.”

The perspective and target setting of the Africa strategy are new. The strategy does not focus on the development of Africa or development cooperation, but on the development of Finland’s relations with African countries. It emphasises the strengthening of mutually beneficial political, commercial, and economic relations.

Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari is of the view that there is great potential for building business relations between Finland and many African countries. The relations can be developed in a manner that will benefit both Finnish and African actors. “Among other things, the objective has been set to double trade between Finland and African countries from 2020 to 2030 and to increase investment in both directions.”

The preparations of the Africa strategy have been led by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in close cooperation with other ministries. Through an extensive consultation process, a wide range of actors from state institutions, business, science, research and education, as well as representatives of civil society, have also been involved in the preparation. African partners, such as the Finnish African diaspora and the ambassadors of African countries, have also been consulted in the process. Cooperation with various actors will continue throughout the Government’s implementation of the strategy.

Finland will promote the objectives of the Africa strategy through bilateral relations with African countries, as an EU Member State, in cooperation with other Nordic countries, in international financial institutions and within the framework of the UN and other multilateral cooperation. The policies of the European Union’s recent Strategy with Africa are also taken into consideration in the strategy, as well as the objectives of Agenda 2030 and Agenda 2063 of the African Union.

NordenBladet — Restaurants and other food and beverage service businesses are closed to customers in areas where the COVID-19 epidemic situation is the most serious. The areas where such establishments will remain closed are laid down in a government decree, which will remain in force until 28 March 2021. The National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) issued a statement on the epidemic situation in the regions on 17 March 2021. On the basis of this statement, the Government does not propose amendments to the decree.

The Government regularly monitors the development of the epidemic situation in different regions. Under the act, the Government must amend the decree if a closure in a region is no longer necessary. Similarly, the decree will be amended if the epidemic situation in a region deteriorates.
As per the decree of 8 March 2021, food and beverage service businesses must be closed to customers in the following regions:
1.    Uusimaa
2.    Southwest Finland
3.    Satakunta
4.    Kanta-Häme
5.    Pirkanmaa
6.    Päijät-Häme
7.    Kymenlaakso
8.    South Karelia
9.    South Savo
10.    Central Finland
11.    South Ostrobothnia
12.    Ostrobothnia
13.    Northern Ostrobothnia
14.    Lapland
15.    Åland

The following areas are excluded from the closure: North Karelia, Central Ostrobothnia, Kainuu and North Savo. Food and beverage service businesses in these areas must comply with the restrictions laid down in the Communicable Diseases Act and in the regulations issued under it. The same applies to all food and beverage service businesses in Finland after the closure ends. The Government Proposal to temporarily amend the Communicable Diseases Act is currently under consideration by Parliament.  Based on this, stricter restrictions on the opening hours, licensing hours and the number of customer seats of food and beverage service businesses could be laid down.

NordenBladet — On 18 March 2021, the Government submitted to Parliament a proposal on national legislation supplementing the EU regulations on the use of the Schengen Information System (SIS). The role of the SIS is to support checks at the external Schengen borders and improve cooperation and exchanges of information between law enforcement and judicial authorities across Europe.

The Schengen Information System (SIS) is used by Member States’ police, border and customs authorities and other competent authorities who are entitled to enter alerts on persons or objects into the system and consult them. They typically issue alerts, for example, on wanted or missing persons, return decisions concerning non-EU citizens, and entry bans. Alerts are also entered on children who are at risk of abduction or potential victims of violence. Photographs, fingerprints and other personal data may be stored in the entries to facilitate the identification of persons.

The current EU regulations on the use of the SIS entered into force on 28 December 2018. The purpose of these legislative amendments is to update the personal data laws of the Finnish Police, Border Guard and Customs to comply with these EU regulations. The objective of the regulations is to strengthen the fight against terrorism and serious crime, ensure a high level of security across the EU, and promote migration management by stepping up the exchange of information between Member States. For residents of EU countries, these changes will be seen as improved cooperation between public authorities and as better enhancement of security across the EU.

“At the same time, legislative amendments will be proposed to harmonise and clarify the provisions on access to personal data in the common information systems of the EU for the prevention, detection and investigation of terrorist offences and serious criminal offences,” says Senior Specialist Suvi Pato-Oja from the Ministry of the Interior.

The government proposal moreover includes amendments that concern sharing data and information with the common information systems of the EU. As the proposed amendments to Finland’s national legislation are mainly technical in nature, the proposed provisions are not going to significantly change the current state of affairs.

What kinds of information individual Member States can share with the SIS is affected by their national provisions on the processing of personal data. In Finland, the processing of fingerprints in particular is strictly restricted. The government proposal in question therefore does not suggest any extensions to the provisions on the use of fingerprints.This legislative project contributes to one of the strategic themes of the current Government Programme, “Safe and secure Finland built on the rule of law”.

NordenBladet — This year marks the seventh anniversary of the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia. The matter is a serious violation of international law, the Charter of the United Nations and Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

Finland reiterates its firm and unambiguous support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. Finland does not recognise Crimea to be part of Russia. Finland implements the EU’s joint non-recognition policy of the illegal annexation of Crimea, as well as the restrictive measures put in place due to Russia’s actions. Finland supports international efforts to restore Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

Finland is concerned about the human rights situation in the Crimean Peninsula, which is continuing to deteriorate. The illegal annexation puts at risk Crimean people’s opportunities to maintain their culture, identity and other fundamental rights. Unlawful detentions and convictions, forced conscription to serve in the Russian armed forces, and other forms of exercise of pressure are directed especially at the Crimean Tatars and Ukrainians. Finland stresses that people who are unlawfully detained and convicted should be released, human rights violations and breaches should be investigated, and the perpetrators should be brought to justice. International human rights and humanitarian organisations should be granted unimpeded access to Crimea. Finland calls attention to the humanitarian law applicable to such situations as occupation and to the fact that states are bound by human rights obligations also when they are exercising their powers outside their own territory. Finland is concerned about the continuing militarisation of the Crimean Peninsula, which undermines the security of the whole area around the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. The Kerch Strait Bridge, which was constructed without Ukraine’s consent, further violates Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Russia must ensure unhindered and free passage of vessels through the Kerch Strait.

High Representative Josep Borrell Fontelles issued a Joint Declaration on behalf of the European Union on 25 February 2021