NordenBladet — On 11 March, the Government submitted to Parliament a proposal for an act on temporarily amending the Communicable Diseases Act. According to the proposal, a government decree issued under the temporary provisions of the Act could impose stricter restrictions on the opening hours, licensing hours and number of customer seats in businesses located in areas that are in tier 2 of epidemic prevention measures. The amendments would enter into force on 29 March 2021 at the latest and would remain in force until 30 June 2021.

In line with the proposal, the number of customers in food and beverage service businesses could be limited to as little as one third of the normal capacity if the conditions laid down in the act are met. Businesses could be required to stop serving alcoholic beverages as early as 17.00 and to close their premises by 18.00.  The decree could also require customers to make reservations, for example, and could place restrictions on singing and playing music in food and beverage service businesses. The new restrictions will be laid down by government decree at the end of March as the epidemiological situation requires.

More stringent restrictions aim to prevent the spread of new virus variants
In May 2020, restrictions on the activities of food and beverage service businesses were temporarily added to the Communicable Diseases Act, under sections 58a and 58b, in order to curb the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic. The new proposed amendments aim to better respond to the worsened epidemiological situation and the threat posed by new virus variants. The proposal would make it possible to introduce necessary and proportionate restrictions on food and beverage service businesses in line with the Government’s hybrid strategy, especially after the restaurant closures have ended.

Under the amended Act on Accommodation and Catering Operations, food and beverage service businesses must remain closed to customers between 9 and 28 March 2021 in the areas provided for by government decree in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Despite the intensified hygiene measures and restrictions, numerous major transmission chains and mass exposures originating in food and beverage service businesses were identified in January and February 2021, in which nearly all customers in the establishment in question had become infected. The greatest risk has been observed in businesses whose primary source of income is the sale of alcoholic beverages, but there have also been infections originating in businesses that mainly serve food. It is possible that the increased prevalence of more infectious virus variants has further heightened the risk of transmission in restaurants, bars and other premises where adults meet and gather.

Existing restrictions and general obligations remain in force
Food and beverage service businesses must continue to follow specific hygiene requirements and ensure sufficient physical distance between customers. They are required to draw up a plan on how to implement the restrictions and obligations. The plan and the maximum permitted number of customers must be displayed where customers can see them.The Regional State Administrative Agencies are responsible for overseeing compliance with the restrictions and obligations. The restrictions laid down in the act do not apply to the activities of staff restaurants or to takeaway sales of food and beverages. The restrictions on opening hours do not apply to food and beverage service businesses operating in connection with service stations or to food and beverage services on ships and airplanes travelling between Finland and other countries or operating abroad.

NordenBladet — Mika Nordman has been appointed Director (Digital Services) at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment for a term of five years starting on 1 April 2021. The Government decided on the appointment on 11 March 2021.

Mika Nordman is a Licentiate of Science and a Master of Science in Technology. He has worked as Branch Director at the Legal Register Centre since 2013. Prior to that, he was Assistant Production Manager and Head of Project Management Office at the ICT Service Centre for the Judicial Administration in 2008–2013. Nordman has also worked as scientist at the Finnish Defence Forces Technical Research Centre in 2002–2008 and as software engineer at Patria Ailon Oy in 2001. The post of Director of Digital Services is new and Nordman will report directly to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry. The digital service system in the administrative branch of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment will be subject to significant structural and service changes and additional investments, which will begin during this government term and continue over the next few years. The Director will coordinate the development of the new digital service system during the transition phase. A total of 39 applications were received for the position.

NordenBladet — The Government has amended the decree restricting the activities of food and beverage service businesses due to the COVID-19 epidemic. With the amendment, the restrictions that previously applied to regions in the community transmission phase of the epidemic would be introduced throughout the country. For areas in the baseline and acceleration phases, the additional restrictions will be in effect for the duration of the restaurant lockdown.

The amendment to the decree will enter into force on 13 March at 00.00. The decree would now apply to areas where restaurants are allowed to remain open, i.e. those not affected by the lockdown. These include Kainuu, North Karelia, Central Ostrobothnia and North Savo. Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses in Kainuu, North Karelia, Central Ostrobothnia and North Savo from Saturday 13 March 2021 onwards

The amount of customer seating in restaurants that primarily serve alcoholic beverages will be restricted to half the normal number of seats. For other restaurants, 75 per cent of customer seats may be in use. Restaurants may serve alcoholic beverages until 22.00 and may be open between 5.00 and 23.00.

NordenBladet — Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä has been invited to the fifth meeting of the European Battery Alliance on Friday 12 March 2021. Commissioners Maroš Šefčovič and Thierry Breton have convened this high-level meeting, which will be organised virtually.

The meeting will focus on the objectives of the European Battery Alliance and, in particular, the development of the expertise required by the battery ecosystem and the promotion of the production of battery raw materials in the EU. EU aims for strong European battery industry It is the EU’s objective to build a sustainable, innovative and competitive battery business network in Europe. At the end of 2017, the Commission launched the European Battery Alliance and adopted a Strategic Action Plan for Batteries in May 2018.

Finland is also striving for a leading role in the battery sector. The new National Battery Strategy presents the means by which Finland will become a competitive, competent and sustainable player in the international battery industry. “Competition in the battery sector is fierce, but Finland is well placed to succeed in international competition because of its high level of expertise, responsible production and processing of battery raw materials and circular economy solutions. The recent good news about the investments in the battery sector, for example, the upcoming large recruitments at the car factory in Uusikaupunki show that we are on the right track in our battery strategy, which is supported by European cooperation,” Lintilä said.

Additional information:
Nina Alatalo, Adviser to the Minister of Economic Affairs (EU and International Affairs), Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 29 504 7171
Jyrki Alkio, Chief Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 29 504 7103

NordenBladet — The birth rate in Finland decreased by one quarter in the 2010s, and our population structure is among the oldest in the world. With this in mind, a project launched by Prime Minister Sanna Marin aimed to examine reasons for the current demographic situation and to present guidelines for securing sustainable demographic development.

The report shows that Finland’s demographic development in the 2010s diverged from that of the other Nordic countries in many ways. Finland saw the slowest rate of population growth in the Nordic countries, and the total fertility rate decreased to less than 1.4 children per woman on average. Finland’s population would shrink without immigration. The sharp decline in the birth rate weakens the financial basis for of general government finances and leads to increased social inequality.

“That said, the COVID-19 pandemic may have improved Finland’s demographic room for manoeuvre: so far, the decline in the birth rate seems to have ceased, net immigration is on the rise and internal migration has stabilised. Now would be a good time to set new demographic targets,” says principal investigator Anna Rotkirch. The report, entitled ‘Recovery of the birth rate and longer life expectancy: Guidelines for population policy in the 2020s’, was published on Wednesday 10 March. Research Professor Anna Rotkirch from the Family Federation of Finland was the principal investigator in the project and the author of the report. The project was supported by a steering group consisting of the State Secretaries of the parties in Government and by an independent scientific panel on population policy. The Government will use the report when preparing for its mid-term policy review session.

Family formation as a challenge
Finland can promote balanced demographic development by supporting wellbeing, family-friendliness and human resources throughout the course of life. Growth in immigration or birth rates, increased levels of education and productivity and healthier ageing will not be enough to meet the challenges on their own; instead, we need a comprehensive approach that takes into account all of these elements.

Rotkirch stresses that sexual and reproductive rights are a cornerstone of socially and ecologically sustainable development. We could mitigate global population growth faster if all women were able to have the number of children they wanted. In low birth rate countries such as Finland, this would mean a recovery of the birth rate.

Around three quarters of the decline in the birth rate observed in Finland in the 2010s was due to the fact that fewer infants were born here. The already high rate of childlessness in Finland has increased rapidly since 2010. Childbearing has also become polarised, with childlessness increasing especially among women and men with lower levels of education. Shrinking family networks mean an increase in loneliness and the need for mental health support over the course of life.Children – of course!Perceived uncertainty is the most important broader reason for postponing or putting off having children. Perceived uncertainty means people’s concerns about their employment and ability to get by financially, but also uncertainty about the future, their wellbeing or their relationship. International experience shows that it is possible to influence the development of birth rates by promoting a positive atmosphere for infants, children and families and through carefully targeted campaigns. The general atmosphere and the local community have also been shown to have an impact on the birth rate. “Happiness, social trust and support for childcare are effective means to promote the recovery of birth rates in low birth rate countries,” says Rotkirch. “Campaigns and incentives related to childbearing and guarantees for families are justified at a time when the birth rate is at a turning point due to the prolonged decline and the pandemic.”

Children – of course! is a child-friendly policy proposed by the report that supports people’s wishes for the number of children they want to have. Child-friendliness is not limited to a person’s own children; it can be realised in a variety of ways and in different types of families. Children – of course! is a message from society that every child is welcome and that society will invest in everyone. The shrinking proportion of families with children in the population must not mean that fewer resources are allocated to them. The goal should be to restore the birth rate to 1.6 in the short term and 1.8 in the longer term, which corresponds to the desired number of children among Finns. Raising children is also an important contribution to the national economy.

Late middle age as an opportunity
Longer life is a privilege that presents many opportunities. There are many late middle-aged people between 65 and 74 years of age who are quite capable of working. The report concludes that it no longer makes sense to set 65 years as the upper limit for employment policies, rehabilitation or life-long learning. Despite healthier ageing, the elderly population’s need for services in their final years of life will increase many times over within the next twenty years. Raising the employment rate and productivity is the most effective single means to alleviate the economic challenges facing the ageing population. More net immigration will also be necessary to maintain a stable population in the future. A potential target could be to raise net immigration to 25,000 persons by 2030. The net immigration rate in Finland is currently 16,000 persons. Goal-oriented migration policy also promotes remigration to Finland.

NordenBladet — The third International Gender Equality Prize will be awarded at the end of 2021. We are now accepting nominations for the next recipient. Anyone and everyone can submit a proposal.

The prize will be awarded to a person or actor who has promoted gender equality in a globally significant way. The prize amounts to EUR 300,000, which the recipient will assign to a cause that strengthens gender equality.

“Finland is a frontrunner in the promotion of gender equality and one of the leading countries when it comes to advancing equality. It is of vital importance to be consistent in our ongoing work to strengthen gender equality. With this prize, we want to advance international discussion on equality matters and to show how Finland has managed to create sustainable wellbeing and strengthen democracy,” says Minister for Equality Affairs Thomas Blomqvist.

The winner of the prize will be selected by a jury of international experts. In 2021, the members of the international jury are Eva Biaudet, Member of the Finnish Parliament and chair of the jury; Melanne Verveer, former US Ambassador for Global Women’s Issues and Executive Director of the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security at Georgetown University; Dean Peacock, Director of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom’s initiative to confront militarized masculinities; Matti Vanhanen, Minister of Finance of Finland; and Bella Forsgrén, Member of the Finnish Parliament.

The Finnish Government launched the IGEP in 2017
The prize was established in 2017 in honour of the 100th anniversary of Finland’s independence. The first prize was awarded to Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, whose life’s work has made her one of the world’s most influential people and an example to many women and girls. Merkel granted the prize money to SOS Femmes et Enfants Victimes de Violence Familiale, a Nigerien civil society organisation that used it to build a residential shelter for victims of domestic violence in the Nigerien capital of Niamey.

In 2019, the prize was awarded to Equality Now, an organisation with a history of 27 years of globally effective work to defend the rights of women. The organisation aims, among other things, to change gendered norms both nationally and internationally and to change discriminating laws and practices.“We hope to receive a multitude of diverse nominations for the next winner of the International Gender Equality Prize. Due to the international reach of the prize, we expect to receive nominations from all around the world,” says Minister Blomqvist. You can nominate a candidate for the prize until 16 May 2021 using the form (in English) available on the IGEP website at International Gender Equality Prize

Please submit your nomination in English.

The International Gender Equality Prize is awarded biennially.  The award ceremony will be organised in cooperation with the City of Tampere and held at Tampere Hall.Further information International Gender Equality Prize (www.igep.fi)Video: International Gender Equality Prize 2021 (YouTube)Twitter: @igepfinland

NordenBladet — How can waste heat from data centres be converted into heating for homes? How can a broken phone and its precious metals be returned from the desk drawer for servicing or recycling? How can information and communication technologies help in reducing emissions from transport or industry?These questions are answered in Finland’s first climate and environment strategy for the ICT sector published on 9 March 2021. This internationally pioneering strategy sets out the instruments that will reduce the carbon and environmental footprint of the ICT sector and reap the benefits of digitalisation.“Our goal is clear: Finland is seeking to solve climate problems and provide solutions for the whole world by applying its expertise in information and communication technology,” says Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka.There are two aspects to the ICT sector. On the one hand, communication networks, data centres and smart devices consume electricity and materials. The ICT sector consumes an estimated 4-10 per cent of global electric power and gives rise to some 3-5 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions.On the other hand, the ICT sector has a great deal of potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from other sectors, such as transport. Digital services enable intelligent transport control and make public transport more attractive by streamlining vehicle changes. The coronavirus pandemic has shown in practice how teleworking and teleconferencing can replace passenger transportation.“Good digital infrastructure and skills enabled Finland to make a smooth conversion of information occupations in 2020 to a world of work that is largely based on virtual meetings. We are now harnessing digitalisation to combat global warming. The strategy supports the goal of achieving carbon neutrality in Finland by the year 2035,” Harakka continues.“This strategy work has brought together a wide range of operators with strong expertise and a desire to promote the environmental friendliness of the ICT sector and boost the favourable environmental impact of digitalisation in other sectors. Finnish operators have an opportunity to take an active role in the international debate that seeks to promote ecologically sustainable digitalisation,” says Jarno Ilme, Deputy Director-General of the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom).Finland’s ICT climate and environmental strategy was prepared by a working group that included representatives of businesses, public administration and organisations, together with universities and research institutes. The strategy was finalised at the Ministry of Transport and Communications following a consultation round concerning the final report of the working group, which ended in January 2021.Six goals in pursuit of ecologically sustainable digitalisationThe strategy includes six objectives and measures to achieve them.1. Improving ICT infrastructure energy efficiency and introducing zero carbon sources of electric powerThe design, construction and operation of communication networks must aim for energy efficiency. Much greater use can be made of the surplus heat generated by data centres, thereby reducing the energy generating requirement for heating and its accompanying carbon dioxide emissions. Investments in zero carbon electricity generating will also reduce emissions from the ICT sector.2. Seeking a climate friendly data economyData traffic and electricity consumption increase with the rising number of services. The volume of data transmitted on Finland’s mobile networks per head of population has grown by well over an order of magnitude in the last decade. The design of software and services must give greater consideration to minimising their energy consumption. There is a need for research, training of specialists, and guidance in service procurement. Cheaper software can require more processing power and hardware capacity, ultimately both wasting resources and becoming more costly over its life span.3. Longer hardware life and recycling of precious metalsThe service life of hardware can be extended at the design stage. Consumers must also be advised as to product warranties, software upgrades and recycling. Rare metals are required in the batteries and displays of smartphones and computers. Recycling could be made more efficient, for example by paying a refund when old hardware is returned. The strategy seeks to influence the sustainability of primary material production and the traceability of materials in Finland and the European Union.4. An overview of the environmental impacts of digitalisationThe lack of transparent, centralised and available data on the climate and environmental impacts of the ICT sector is a challenge both nationally and internationally. Comparable data is needed on the carbon footprint of the ICT sector and on how information and communication technologies can help to reduce emissions in other sectors.5. Making consumers aware of environmental impactsConsumer behaviour substantially affects the environmental impact of the ICT sector. Consumers are interested in the carbon footprint of the services that they use, and in their opportunities to influence this footprint. Access to information must be improved through various channels, ranging from school education to consumer campaigns.6. Use of emerging technologies in climate work and environmental protectionArtificial intelligence, robotics, automated systems and other new technologies are raising hopes that they will provide solutions to climate and environmental problems. For example, artificial intelligence has already begun helping to reduce the energy and material consumption of various processes. Attention must also be paid to the energy and material consumption that is involved in developing new technologies.What are the next steps?The strategy will be implemented by a wide range of parties, both public and private. The Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom) will monitor implementation of the strategy in partnership with stakeholders. An annual forum will be arranged to support this process.For further details, please contact:Requests to interview Minister Timo Harakka: Susanna Niinivaara, Communications Director, tel. +358 40 081 6187, susanna.niinivaara(at)lvm.fiPäivi Antikainen, Director of Unit, Ministry of Transport and Communications, tel. +358 50 382 7101, paivi.antikainen(at)lvm.fi, Twitter @PaiviAntikainenTuuli Ojala, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Transport and Communications, tel. +358 50 563 8130, tuuli.ojala(at)lvm.fi, Twitter @OjalaTuuliJarno Ilme, Deputy Director-General, Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom), tel. +358 29 539 0574, jarno.ilme(at)traficom.fi, Twitter @IlmeJarnoInstitutional Repository for the Government: Climate and environmental strategy for the ICT sector. Publications of the Ministry of Transport and Communications 2021:6.
Impulse Blog by Minister Timo Harakka
Gateway to information on Government projects: Preparation of a climate and environmental strategy for the ICT sector (in Finnish)

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — Restaurants and other food and beverage service businesses must be closed to customers from 9 March 2021. The act and the decree concerning the matter will enter into force at midnight between Monday 8 March and Tuesday 9 March.

Restaurants will be closed to customers until 28 March 2021 in areas where it is necessary to stop the acceleration of the epidemic. These include the areas where the coronavirus epidemic is in acceleration or community transmission phase and Central Finland, because the epidemiological indicators there are similar to an area in acceleration phase. However, restaurants can still sell food for takeaway or delivery.On 8 March 2021, Parliament approved and the President of the Republic confirmed an act, which will temporarily close restaurants and other food and beverage service businesses to customers. Government issued a decree on the areas to be affected by the closure on the same day. The decision was based on the views of the experts at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare on the epidemic situation in the areas.

Restaurants must be closed to customers in the following regions:UusimaaSouthwest FinlandSatakuntaKanta-HämePirkanmaaPäijät-HämeKymenlaaksoSouth KareliaSouth SavoCentral FinlandSouth OstrobothniaOstrobothniaNorthern OstrobothniaLaplandÅlandThe following areas are excluded from the closure: North Karelia, Central Ostrobothnia, Kainuu and North Savo.

The Government will amend the Decree if the closure is not necessary in a certain area, that is, if an area no longer is in acceleration or community transmission phase. The Government will also amend the Decree, if the epidemic accelerates in one of the areas now at a stable level. The assessment of necessity and decisions are based on the expert evaluation of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.The classification of regions into the baseline, acceleration and community transmission phases of the epidemic is based on the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health’s action plan for implementing the hybrid strategy to manage COVID-19.

Closure to affect all food and beverage service businesses, with the exception of staff restaurants
The food and beverage service businesses to be closed down include cafes, restaurants, bars and nightclubs that are open to the public. The restriction also affects outdoor terraces.Only restaurants that are not open to the public are exempt from the closures. It therefore does not affect canteens in residential homes for older people or staff restaurants that are not open to other customers, for example.

During the closure, restaurants and cafes will still be allowed to sell portions directly to the customer for takeaway or deliver them either themselves or using other service providers.In regions not affected by the closure, food and beverage service businesses can continue to be open to customers. Businesses that remain open must still comply with the restrictions laid down in the Communicable Diseases Act and in the regulations issued under it.

As a matter of urgency, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment is preparing a support model for the reasonable compensation of businesses affected by the closure. This aid will be implemented as part of the business cost support. During March, the Government will issue a separate proposal on the amendments to the Act on Support for Business Costs caused by the closure.

NordenBladet — For decades, Nordic countries have prospered due to the equal participation and inclusion of women and girls in all areas of societal life. For us, ensuring the enjoyment of human rights of all women and girls, in all their diversity, and ending gender-based discrimination in all of its forms, is the right and the smart thing to do because gender equality benefits everyone.Globally, we have seen remarkable improvements for the health and rights of women and girls over the past decades. But the global pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities, with disproportional impact on the health, participation, wellbeing and socio-economic status of women and girls worldwide – and has also increased gender-based violence. Now, global leaders must commit to placing women at the center of recovery plans, ensuring their participation in decision making processes, and redouble efforts to secure the health, rights and needs of all women and girls. Additionally, we will continue to counter the growing pressure on human rights of women and girls and attacks on the notion of gender equality both globally, in multilateral fora and within Europe. We are particularly concerned about actions to undermine or roll back sexual and reproductive health and rights, including the access to safe and legal abortions, comprehensive sexuality education and modern contraceptives. We also remain committed to strengthening the agenda for Women, Peace and Security, which celebrated its 20th anniversary last year. Women peacebuilders and women human rights defenders play key roles in ensuring sustainable peace. They must be empowered and protected.For International Women’s Day 2021, the Nordic Ministers for Foreign Affairs strongly recommit to the fundamental values and principles of gender equality.  We condemn any attacks on the rights of women and girls and take this opportunity to reiterate that they must be defended and safeguarded at all times. 
 

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi