NordenBladet — Nearly 53,600 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Finland between 3 and 9 January, compared to more than 42,100 new cases in the previous week. Cases are now reported even among people who have been vaccinated. The need for inpatient specialised healthcare has grown considerably while the burden on intensive care remains high but relatively stable. Vaccinations continue to provide good protection against the more serious forms of the disease.In the last 14 days (between 27 December 2021 and 9 January 2022), the incidence of new cases was 1,721 per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to 629 in the preceding two-week period. This means that the number of new infections has nearly tripled since December. On 12 January 2022, the estimated effective basic reproduction number was 1.05–1.2 with a 90 per cent probability. On 12 January, the total number of patients in intensive care was 59, while in the preceding three-week period the number was between 47 and 58. Between 3 and 9 January, a total of 59 new COVID-19 patients were admitted to intensive care, while in the preceding four weeks, the number varied between 36 and 40.
NordenBladet – In Estonia the electricity prices have already been very high for several months. The record was December 7th 2021 when the power price reached as high as 1000 euros per megawatt-hour, i.e. for a kilowatt-hour, before VAT and other taxes (excise + network price) a full euro had to be paid. December’s unusually expensive electricity prices were reflected on January’s bills, which in many cases exceeded people’s monthly income.
Table 1. Power prices in Estonia on December 6th and 7th 2021
Although the valid stock exchange power price is today, on January 13th, more favorable than earlier (almost a week the price has been in the yellow zone), the prices, as compared to Finland, are partly 20 times higher. While a Finnish citizen pays 1.3 euro cents for electricity’s kilowatt-hour, then in Estonia up to 21 euro cents per kilowatt hour must be paid.
Table 2. Comparison of Finland’s and Estonia’s power prices. Today’s (January 13) power prices in Finland (left column) and Estonian prices in the right column.
What can a simple homeowner do in order to alleviate their complicated situation created by the high power price?
1. Observe power prices daily – you will find real time power prices from the power prices LIVE guidelines. Estonia’s power prices are on NordenBladet.ee site and Finland’s power prices are on NordenBladet.fi website. All who have concluded an hour-based tariff electricity package, for you the amount of the bill will depend on the amount of electricity consumed each hour and on the stock exchange price valid during that hour. Thus it is very important to daily observe the hourly power prices!
NordenBladet’s hour-based power prices graph (electricity market’s PRICES GUIDELINE) allows you to easily and conveniently observe power prices and plan the day’s more power consuming activities to a more favorable time zone. The price guideline functions as a traffic light (red light warns that the prices are high and the green light lets you know the prices are in a favorable zone). We define a price favorable when it is up to 10 euro cents per kilowatt hour.
(Those who have a fixed price stock exchange package need not worry, since the kilowatt-hour based price has been fixed for a certain time period and the bill shows a similar kilowatt-hour price every month).
2. Be aware of the amount of home appliances (technology) that are consuming electricity in your home. A long and thorough insight about domestic appliances that consume power can be found HERE. By knowing how much an electric stove, television, washing machine, computer and other home appliances consume energy, you will be able to make decisions that in conclusion will positively be reflected on your electricity bill.
3. It is possible to cut electricity costs by using several saving tips at home – beginning from a simple “switch the lights off” principle to a proper heat insulation of the building. You can find various tips and recommendations on how to limit electricity consumption HERE.
NordenBladet — A new study published on 13 January shows that the most effective support policy for research and development is to allocate subsidies to businesses with high R&D productivity or innovation capacity. Uniformly targeted subsidies – which in practical innovation policy are similar to R&D tax incentives – also bring about substantial growth, albeit to a lesser extent than selectively targeted innovation subsidies.The study suggests that increasing subsidies and tax incentives for research and development is proper policy in Finland. When it comes to direct R&D subsidies, efforts should be made to develop ways to assess the innovation capacity of businesses so that subsidies can be allocated effectively.Understanding the overall economic impact of business subsidies is essential for planning effective support policy and implementing business policy measures. Successful innovation policy can accelerate economic growth and improve competitiveness.The report by researchers from the Research Institute of the Finnish Economy ETLA and the VATT Institute for Economic Research, titled ‘Innovation, reallocation and growth in the 21st century’, offers new insight on the impact of business subsidies on economic growth and the welfare of businesses. Relatively few studies of this type have been conducted around the world, and this is the first study conducted using Finnish data.The project examined policies in which subsidies are targeted to businesses uniformly regardless of R&D productivity and more selectively targeted policies in which subsidies are allocated based on R&D productivity. Implementing a selectively targeted policy means that the officials making decisions on R&D subsidies must be able to distinguish between businesses with a high and low innovation capacity.“By nature, uniformly targeted subsidies are similar to neutral R&D tax subsidies that are not allocated to specific types of businesses or projects. Selectively targeted subsidies, on the other hand, are similar to direct subsidies. The recipients of subsidies must be selected on a case-by-case basis following an assessment of their innovation capabilities; subsidies cannot be allocated based on the general information available for taxation,” says ETLA Research Director Heli Koski.A key finding of the study was that the most effective solution would be a selective innovation policy that allocates R&D subsidies to businesses with high R&D productivity or innovation capacity. A selective subsidy policy would cause low-productivity R&D companies to exit the market. As a result, their resources could be put to more productive use in higher-productivity companies.Uniformly targeted support also leads to a significant growth in the welfare of businesses, but to a lesser extent than selective subsidies. This means that, in general, increasing the amount of R&D subsidies and tax incentives is profitable in Finland.“In practice, it is impossible to allocate R&D subsidies based entirely on the innovation capability of businesses. However, our results on the benefits of uniformly targeted subsidies show that even imperfectly targeted R&D subsidies and tax incentives are proper policy in Finland,” says Research Director Heli Koski.The research team proposes that, in practice, the innovation capabilities of businesses could be assessed based on the number of new products produced over a certain period of time, while also taking into account further innovation that enhances the quality of products or does not, at least not immediately, lead to the creation of new products. Especially in the case of young businesses, it would also be important to be able to assess the company’s future capacity to innovate and the quality of future innovations.
NordenBladet — The Government has amended the decree that restricts the activities of food and beverage service businesses due to the COVID-19 epidemic. From now on, all food and beverage services businesses must close at 18.00. In addition, the restrictions on the use of the COVID-19 passport will be extended until the end of January. The decree on the opening hours of food and beverage service businesses will enter into force on 12 January 2022 at 00.00 and it will remain in force until 31 January 2022. The decree restricting the use of the COVID-19 passport will enter into force on 12 January 2022.Until 31 January 2022, COVID-19 passport cannot be used as an alternative to restrictionsThe Government has updated the decree on temporary restrictions to the use of the COVID-19 passport issued under section 58i of the Communicable Diseases Act. In practice, this means that until 31 January 2022 the COVID-19 passport cannot be used as an alternative to regional restrictions on 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. The decree will apply to the areas of the hospital districts that meet the characteristics of community transmission areas.Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses in community transmission areas from 12 January at 00.00Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses that are necessary to prevent the spread of the epidemic will be introduced in all community transmission areas.The restrictions for community transmission areas will apply to the regions of Uusimaa, Southwest Finland, Satakunta, Kanta-Häme, Pirkanmaa, Päijät-Häme, Kainuu, Kymenlaakso, South Karelia, North Karelia, Central Finland, Ostrobothnia, South Ostrobothnia, Central Ostrobothnia, North Ostrobothnia, Lapland, South Savo, North Savo and Åland.Serving of alcoholic beverages in all food and beverage service businesses will end at 17.00. Such businesses may keep their premises open to food and beverage service customers between 5.00 and 18.00. The restriction will also apply to businesses that do not serve alcoholic beverages (e.g. cafes and fast food restaurants).Food and beverage service businesses that primarily serve alcoholic beverages may have only half the normal number of customer seats in use in their indoor and outdoor premises. Other food and beverage service businesses are restricted to 75 per cent of their normal number of customer seats indoors.All customers must have their own seats at a table or similar in indoor premises.Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses cannot be circumvented by using COVID-19 passportThe use of the COVID-19 passport will not exempt food and beverage service businesses from the restrictions on customer numbers and opening and licensing hours. Serving of alcoholic beverages in all food and beverage service businesses will end at 17.00. All food and beverage service business will be required to close at 18.00The restrictions on the use of the COVID-19 passport will be in force until 31 January 2022. The obligation to observe the general hygiene guidelines and to keep a safe distance applies in all regions.Even if the use of the COVID-19 passport does not exempt food and beverage service businesses from the restrictions as before, all food and beverage service businesses in Finland will still have the right to require customers to present the COVID-19 passport at all hours.Exceptions to restrictions remain unchangedThe 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.
NordenBladet — The exploitation of foreign labour is expected to grow in Finland as work-based immigration increases. Preventing problems requires more information on exploitation-related phenomena and investments in the resources and cooperation between authorities. In spring 2021, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment commissioned a report from the Migration Institute of Finland on the support needs and knowledge gaps of the authorities in preventing exploitation of foreign labour. The report supports in particular the implementation of the amendment to the Aliens Act (554/2021) in the Finnish Immigration Service. The amendment entered into force on 1 October 2021. The Aliens Act was amended to include new, special permit types for victims of work-related exploitation. This means that the Finnish Immigration Service will receive new tasks and the administrative and legal practices related to them will only develop over time.“Promoting labour migration also requires effective measures to combat exploitation. The Immigration Service will need all possible support to succeed in this demanding task. The Migration Institute’s report highlights areas of development and in this way facilitates authorities’ work,” says Minister of Employment Tuula Haatainen.Supervision alone is not enoughThe report identifies a number of development needs for the authorities to improve their work. A key conclusion is that the internationalisation of the labour market and the legislative amendment underline the increased role of the authorities in safeguarding the rights of foreign workers, in contrast to mere licensing and supervision duties. Building trust between the victims of exploitation and authorities will encourage victims to report suspected abuse to the authorities without any unnecessary fear. “The authorities possess a great deal of specialised expertise in the prevention of work-related exploitation, but expanding and improving these activities nationally require that different authorities streamline their operating models and establish clear objectives,” says Mika Raunio, Senior Researcher at the Migration Institute. The proposed measures will be evaluated and prepared for implementation in the relevant administrative branches to support the prevention of the exploitation of foreign labour as well as possible.
NordenBladet — The European Commission has published the Single Market scoreboard that measures the implementation of the Single Market rules in the Union during 2020. The Single Market refers to the free movement of people, goods, services and capital in the EU. The Commission has extended the scope of the scoreboard to include three new policy areas: business environment for SMEs, greening of the industry, and market surveillance.The Single Market Scoreboard provides an overview of how the EU’s single market rules were implemented and applied in each country. The Scoreboard compares the implementation of the EU Single Market in eight policy areas as well as the application of ten governance tools. The implementation of the Single Market improved slightly in certain monitoring areas throughout the EU in 2020. The state of the Single Market has remained stable overall. As in previous years, Finland scored better than the EU average.Despite the general good development, all EU Member States have certain areas where they need to improve the implementation of the Single Market. The coronavirus pandemic has also affected the operation of the Single Market. While the digital transition is progressing, at the same time certain Member States have restricted the free movement of goods within the EU.Country-specific comparisons show in concrete ways what matters in national legislation the Member States should focus on to develop the Single Market. A more efficient implementation of the Single Market rules would allow companies and citizens to benefit from the single market freedoms and rights better than now. Three new policy areas in ScoreboardThis year, the Single Market Scoreboard includes three new policy areas: business environment of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), greening of the industry, and market surveillance. The coronavirus pandemic has hampered the operations of many SMEs and their number fell by 1.3% in the EU in 2020. While the year 2021 has been slightly better than the previous one, EU countries must continue to invest in creating a favourable business environment for SMEs.Another new policy area on the Scoreboard examines the progress of green transition in Europe’s industry. A large part of the European industry is still based on the consumption of natural resources. The green transition will renew the EU’s industry and economy as a whole in the near future. Market surveillance – an essential part of a well-functioning internal market – is the third new policy area added to the Scoreboard. Market surveillance ensures that products comply with regulations and do not endanger consumers in the EU internal market. Key highlights of the Single Market Scoreboard for 2020A well-functioning single market requires more effort and action from the Member States.In 2020, it took EU Member States longer than before to transpose single market directives into national legislation. More and more directives had not been implemented by the deadline. The number of single market-related infringements has also risen. Member States must make more effort to implement the directives and to prevent and tackle infringements. Member States must ensure the necessary administrative resources for the implementation of the Single Market. For example, too few human resources in the SOLVIT service delay the processing of cases. SOLVIT is an informal problem-solving tool that helps citizens and companies in problems concerning incorrect or incomplete application of EU regulations. Better access to information and advice on the single marketEU citizens have better access to information on the single market through different information and advisory services. Last year, over 2,600 cases were submitted to SOLVIT, of which 80% were solved. Another example of help and advice services for EU citizens is the Your Europe portal, which contains information and advice on the Single Market rights of citizens and companies. The portal attracted nearly 33 million views in 2020. Public procurement should pay more attention to Single MarketPublic procurement plays an important role in the economies of the Member States. Implementation of the Single Market rules in public procurement needs to be improved, as many calls for tender attract only few bids and the lowest price remains the sole award criterion in a many calls. The absence of open and effective competition is an obstacle to the completion of the Single Market.
NordenBladet — Elements of AI, launched during Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU, is the first educational course launched across Europe and an important investment in artificial intelligence (AI) skills throughout the continent. The course is available in all official EU languages. It was started with funding from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and will continue to increase Europeans’ competence in AI in cooperation with the University of Helsinki and Reaktor.As part of its Presidency in 2019, Finland donated the Elements of AI course to all Europeans. The European Commission translated the course into the Union’s official languages and it was made available in the EU Member States in cooperation with local partners. According to a preliminary plan, the course would have been free for Europeans to attend in 2020−2021. However, Reaktor and the University of Helsinki have decided to continue offering the course to Europeans also after 2021.The objective of the course was to train one per cent of EU citizens in the basics of artificial intelligence, and thereby strengthen digital competence in the whole of EU. The coronavirus pandemic delayed the launch of the course in many countries. At the same time, the pandemic has highlighted the importance of digital skills in people’s daily lives as well as in different sectors. “Digitalisation and rapid changes in working life require continuous learning from all of us. Elements of AI is an excellent example of different options for continuous learning. I am proud that Finland donated the course as part of its Presidency to the whole of Europe,” says Minister of Employment Tuula Haatainen.“Artificial intelligence is one of the key technologies that enable sustainable growth and competitiveness in the EU. It is important that Finland and Europe continue to lead digital and technological development, and the Elements of AI course in part contributes to achieving this goal. The work on this topic will continue at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, for example in the Artificial Intelligence 4.0 programme, which aims to strengthen the digitalisation of Finnish SMEs,” says Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä.Course strengthens Finland’s image as a pioneer in education, gender equality and technologyThe number of participants in the course has varied from country to country. In Finland, more than two per cent of the population have already attended the course. Croatia comes second, with almost one per cent of the population having completed the course so far. The course has received very positive feedback from all over Europe and it has been described as instructive and accessible.Across Europe, men and women have been equally interested in the course. As regards age distribution, the most participants in the course have been young adults. However, older people are also interested in artificial intelligence, with nearly 12 per cent of the attendees aged over 65.“The majority of users attend the course to improve skills needed in working life. We will enhance not only AI competence but also learning skills. What would be a more suitable objective for an educational innovation from Finland than supporting continuous learning all over the world?” says Professor Teemu Roos, who developed the course.The course was launched in several countries in cooperation with Finnish embassies and local partners.“The Elements of AI course has attracted positive attention across Europe. At the same time, it has strengthened Finland’s image as a leader in education, gender equality and technology,” says Mikko Koivumaa, Director General of Communications at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.Elements of AI to expand and develop furtherThe courses will continue under the direction of Reactor and the University of Helsinki. Local partners have been found in all participating countries, with the aim to expand the course to different educational institutions, for example. “We are pleased to be involved in exporting Finnish expertise in this way too. When European universities and other actors join to solve educational challenges, we can ensure that both Finns and Europeans have the needed skills for the future,” says Sari Lindblom, Rector of the University of Helsinki. “Launching this course is only the first step towards the one per cent target. We will continue to work closely with our broad network in Europe and encourage new sectors and organisations to join our AI challenge. I would like to thank the Finnish missions for their valuable work in promoting the country partner network and raising awareness of the course,” says Ville Valtonen from Reaktor Education.
NordenBladet — The amount of reimbursement will be raised from the current EUR 10 to EUR 16. The temporary provision will enter into force on 10 January 2022 and it will remain in force until 30 June 2022.The legislative amendment will secure and facilitate access to COVID-19 vaccination for people covered by health insurance and give employers better opportunities to provide COVID-19 vaccination through occupational healthcare.Municipalities are responsible for COVID-19 vaccinations. They must, however, determine whether occupational healthcare service providers that operate in their areas can participate in the rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations, if this is necessary to ensure the provision of vaccinations without delays. The Social Insurance Institution of Finland, Kela, can continue to reimburse COVID-19 vaccinations administered by occupational healthcare either as occupational healthcare costs or as medical expenses. The reimbursement for COVID-19 vaccinations may be paid directly to private occupational healthcare service providers while employers are liable for paying a deductible for vaccinations.Compared to the current situation, raising the amount of reimbursement will reduce the occupational healthcare costs to employers when COVID-19 vaccinations are included in occupational healthcare services. The total costs to employers will depend on the contract made with occupational healthcare.The Government submitted the bill amending the Health Insurance Act for approval and the President of the Republic approved the bill on Friday 7 January 2022. The amended Act will enter into force on 10 January 2022. The higher reimbursement amount will apply to COVID-19 vaccinations carried out on or after 1 January 2022.
NordenBladet — The Government has amended the decree on temporary restrictions to the use of the COVID-19 passport referred to in section 58i of the Communicable Diseases Act. The COVID-19 passport cannot be used as an alternative to regional restrictions on public events and customer premises in Åland.The amendment to the decree will enter into force on Friday 7 January 2022 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 and in Åland.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.
NordenBladet — The Government has amended the decree restricting the activities of restaurants and other food and beverage service businesses due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses that are necessary to prevent the spread of the epidemic will be introduced in Åland.The decree will enter into force on Friday 7 January at 00.00.Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses in community transmission areas from 7 January at 00.00The restrictions for community transmission areas apply to the regions of Uusimaa, Southwest Finland, Satakunta, Kanta-Häme, Pirkanmaa, Päijät-Häme, Kymenlaakso, South Karelia, North Karelia, Central Finland, Ostrobothnia, South Ostrobothnia, Central Ostrobothnia, North Ostrobothnia, Lapland, South Savo and North Savo and in Åland.Serving of alcoholic beverages in all food and beverage service businesses will end at 17.00. The premises may be open to food and beverage service customers from 5.00 to 18.00. The restriction also apply to restaurants that do not serve alcoholic beverages (e.g. cafes and fast food restaurants). Restaurants that mainly serve food may remain open until 20.00, provided that the customers are required to present the COVID-19 passport.Food and beverage service businesses that primarily serve alcoholic beverages may have only half of the normal number of customer seats in use in their indoor and outdoor premises. Other food and beverage service businesses are restricted to 75 per cent of their normal number of customer seats indoors. The restrictions on the number of customer seats do not apply in Åland.All customers must have their own seats at a table or similar in indoor premises.If food and beverage service businesses intend to require their customers to present a COVID-19 passport, the requirement must apply throughout the opening hours of the business.Temporary changes to use of COVID-19 passport from 7 January at 00.00As from Tuesday 28 December, the use of the COVID-19 passport will not exempt food and beverage service businesses from the restrictions, as has been the case so far. Serving of alcoholic beverages in all food and beverage service businesses will end at 17.00. Food and beverage service businesses that primarily serve alcoholic beverages will be required to close at 18.00. Restaurants that mainly serve food may, however, remain open until 20.00, provided that the customers are required to present a COVID-19 passport.The restrictions on the use of the COVID-19 passport will be in force until 20 January 2022.Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses in the region of Kainuu from 7 January at 00.00There are no separate restrictions on the number of customers or on licensing and opening hours.The obligation to observe the general hygiene guidelines and to keep a safe distance applies in all regions.Even if the use of the COVID-19 passport will not exempt the businesses from the restrictions as has been the case so far, restaurants still have the right to require customers to present the COVID-19 passport at all hours.If food and beverage service businesses intend to require their customers to present a COVID-19 passport, the requirement must apply throughout the opening hours of the business.Exceptions to restrictions remain unchangedThe 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.
