NordenBladet — In response to the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan, the Finnish Government decided at an extraordinary meeting on 13 August that Afghans who have worked for Finland, the EU and NATO can be admitted to Finland with their families and issued residence permits.The Government decided on the admission of aliens into Finland on special humanitarian grounds under section 93 of the Aliens Act. It is estimated that locally employed Afghans and their families may become subject to human rights violations in the future.
NordenBladet — The Government has amended the decree that restricts the activities of food and beverage service businesses due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Satakunta moves to COVID-19 community transmission phase.The decree will enter into force on 15 August.Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses in the regions and cities that are at the community transmission phase of the epidemic – Southwest Finland, Pirkanmaa and Kymenlaakso, and Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen from 14 August and Satakunta from 15 August: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 must have their own seat at a table or similar in both indoor and outdoor spaces. In indoor spaces, customers will be directed to sit in their seats. Businesses must draw up and provide their customers with instructions on how to enter or leave the premises or access the area designated for smoking or the toilets and washing facilities and how to collect their takeaway orders of food and drinks. In practice, for example dancing and karaoke are not allowed.Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses in the regions and cities that are at the acceleration phase of the epidemic – Kanta-Häme, Päijät-Häme, South Karelia, North Savo, North Karelia, Central Finland, South Ostrobothnia, Ostrobothnia, Central Ostrobothnia, North Ostrobothnia and Kainuu, and the city of Rovaniemi and those parts of Uusimaa that are outside Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen from 14 August and Satakunta until 14 August 2021: 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, South Savo and Lapland, excluding the city of Rovaniemi, from 14 August: 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 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 Ministry of the Interior has sent out for comments a draft government proposal on amending the Aliens Act. The aim of the proposal is to ensure that people who receive international protection can exercise their right to family life as fully as possible. A further aim is to make sure that the best interests of the child are upheld in family reunification cases involving minor children who receive international protection.The amendment of the Aliens Act would mean that family members of persons receiving international or temporary protection would not need to fulfil the requirement for sufficient financial resources to receive a residence permit in situations where the family was formed before the sponsor’s arrival in Finland.More minors who have been granted international protection could live with their parentsThe aim of the proposal is to promote the best interests of the child in situations involving the reunification of minors who have been granted international protection, so that more children receiving international protection could live with their parents. When the sponsor is a minor who has been granted international protection, a residence permit on the grounds of family ties could be refused more rarely based on circumventing the entry regulations. It is also important to take care that no one takes advantage of the child for the purpose of gaining entry into the country.The proposal also aims to specify that, in accordance with the recently adopted ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union, the minor status of the child should be the time when the residence permit application of the family member was submitted. It is important to safeguard an equal right to family life for the child both nationally and among the EU Member States rather than at random depending on the date of the residence permit application decision.The draft proposal is based on the Government Programme, according to which problems relating to family reunification and the reasonable income limits applied to family reunification sponsors who have been granted international protection will be examined, having regard to the protection of family life, the best interests of the child and the standards and practices governing the requirement for sufficient financial resources that are applied in other Nordic countries. The Government Programme also states that the application of the requirement for sufficient financial resources to minor family reunification sponsors who have been granted a residence permit due to a need for international protection will be discontinued.Removing barriers to family reunification promotes the Government’s human rights- and fundamental rights-friendly and child- and family-friendly policies. In addition, the right to family life is ensured in Article 7 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and in Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
NordenBladet — The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health proposes appropriations of about EUR 16.5 billion for the Ministry and its administrative branch for 2022. This is about EUR 1.3 billion less than in the 2021 Budget. The decrease is mainly due to one-off payments to compensate for the costs caused by COVID-19 to the healthcare and welfare service system. The biggest increases arise from the dismantling of the backlog in treatment and services and the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines.The Ministry’s draft budget will, among other things, reform the family leave system and the survivors’ pension, develop health and social services and dismantle the backlog in treatment and services. In addition, unemployment security will be reformed when the Nordic labour market service model is introduced.Of the appropriations for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and its administrative branch, 31 per cent will be allocated to pensions, 28 per cent to offsetting family and housing costs and to basic social assistance and 17 per cent to unemployment security. Health insurance will account for 13 per cent, healthcare and social welfare organised by municipalities for 5 per cent and grants for the promotion of health and social wellbeing for 2 per cent of the appropriations.Nordic labour market service model to be introduced in 2022The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health proposes an appropriation of EUR 2.7 billion for employment security. This is about EUR 0.1 billion less than in the 2021 Budget. The decrease is due to the estimated fall in the number of unemployed and laid off people.With regard to employment security, account has been taken of the introduction of the Nordic labour market service model on 1 May 2022. In this model, jobseekers would apply for work on their own initiative and receive individual and intensive support for their job search at an earlier stage. At the same time, sanctions on unemployment security would be staggered and made more reasonable, which is estimated to increase employment security expenditure. Jobseekers would be required to apply for a certain number of jobs in order to continue their right to receive unemployment security. A jobseeker would receive a reminder in the first case of forgetfulness or neglect. If the jobseeker failed to fulfil the obligation to seek employment again after receiving the reminder, this would result in a five-day sanction period when they would not receive unemployment benefits. If this happened again, they would lose benefits for 10 days. The model is estimated to increase the central government’s share of unemployment security expenditure by EUR 16.7 million in 2022 and by EUR 25.0 million from 2023 onwards.The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health proposes an appropriation of EUR 1.5 million to be allocated for labour market training leading to a higher education degree. Family leave reform improves equality between parentsThe family leave reform is estimated to increase central government expenditure by EUR 1.0 million in 2022 and by approximately EUR 9.0 million from 2024 onwards.The intention is that the reform will take effect on 1 August 2022. The aim of the reform is to improve equality between the parents and equality and non-discrimination between different forms of families and between children and parents living in different types of families. Allowances for parents during family leaves would be paid on the basis of the same child for a total of 360 working days, i.e. for approximately 14.5 months instead of the current period of nearly 13 months. Before becoming entitled to parental allowance, pregnant women would receive pregnancy allowance for 40 working days. Both parents would be entitled to the same number of parental allowance days, but if they so wished, they could transfer a maximum of 63 parental allowance days from their own quota to the other parent or spouse. Parental allowance could be used at any time until the child reaches the age of two.Reform of survivors’ pensionThe reform of survivors’ pension is estimated to increase central government expenditure by EUR 0.3 million in 2022 and by approximately EUR 1.0 million at the end of the budget planning period. The reform will enter into force at the beginning of 2022. The reform proposes that the child’s right to a survivors’ pension be extended by two years, in which case the right to a child’s pension would end when the child reaches the age of 20. It is proposed that the right to a widow’s pension be limited to 10 years or at least until the youngest of those entitled to a child’s pension reaches the age of 18. In addition, it is proposed that the widow’s pension be also paid to a cohabiting partner who has a child with the deceased.The Ministry proposes an appropriation of EUR 5.1 billion in total for funding pensions. This is EUR 8.0 million more than in 2021.More funding for basic social assistance and health insuranceThe Ministry of Social Affairs and Health proposes a sum of EUR 4.5 billion for offsetting family and housing costs and for basic social assistance and certain other services. This is EUR 45.0 million more than in 2021. The increase is mainly due to needs assessment changes and the rise in the operating expenses of the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela).For the operating expenses of the Social Insurance Institution, the Ministry proposes a total of EUR 494.8 million. This is EUR 13.5 million more than in 2021. In addition to the increase in pension costs and changes in the earnings level, the operating expenses take into account the development of benefit and other services for clients and the maintenance of the security of supply infrastructure. The proposal of the Ministry of Education and Culture to increase the number of student places in higher education and practical nurse training will increase general housing allowance expenditure by EUR 24.2 million.The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health proposes an appropriation of EUR 2.1 billion for funding health insurance. This is EUR 51.0 million less than in 2021.The assessment of work ability during the sickness allowance period will be developed based on the proposals of the rehabilitation committee. One of these proposals would increase the number of checkpoints to assess the need for rehabilitation, the remaining work ability and the possibilities for continuing working. The proposal is estimated to increase central government expenditure by EUR 0.25 million in the year of its entry into force and by EUR 0.5 million annually.Improvement in health and social servicesIt is proposed that EUR 873.0 million be allocated for healthcare and social welfare services organised by municipalities under the main title of expenditure of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. This is approximately EUR 1.14 billion less than in 2021. The reduction is due to EUR 1.6 billion allocated to the healthcare and social welfare system in the 2021 Budget as one-off payments to compensate for the costs caused by COVID-19.The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health proposes an appropriation of EUR 25.6 million for shelter activities. A total of 1.5 million has been reserved for urgent social services for persons who are not covered by reception services under the Aliens Act.The Government will award a government grant of EUR 36.6 million to FinnHEMS Oy for helicopter emergency medical services. The sum is EUR 8.8 million more than in 2021. This is due to increasing the number of helicopter stations from six to eight.The Government will allocate EUR 65.8 million in funding to student healthcare provided by the Finnish Student Health Service.Development of health and social servicesFor the development of health and social services, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health proposes EUR 455.0 million more than in 2021. Of this increase, EUR 450.0 million would go to the dismantling of the backlog in treatment and services and EUR 3.0 million to the project on well-functioning rehabilitation in healthcare and social welfare. Of the appropriation, EUR 20 million would be allocated for the development of child and family services. An appropriation of EUR 3 million has been reserved for services for mothers suffering from substance abuse. The projects to develop social and health services will focus on: 1) safeguarding access to basic public services, for example by dismantling the backlog in treatment and services and coordinating clients’ paths between social and health services, 2) improving the care and treatment of older people by developing informal care and home care and drawing up a cross-administrative programme on ageing, and 3) preparing a national cross-administrative mental health strategy. Health sector growth strategyThe Ministry of Social Affairs and Health proposes an appropriation of EUR 7.5 million for the implementation of the growth strategy for the health and social services sector. This sum also includes the establishment of a centre of excellence for digital health and wellbeing technology, to which EUR 1.7 million will be allocated.In general, the sum will support the development of national centres of excellence. The centres of excellence refer to the National Cancer Centre, Neurocenter Finland and the biobanks, as well as the Genome Centre and Drug Development Centre already in preparation.Promotion of health and functional abilityFor the promotion of health and functional ability, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health proposes an appropriation of EUR 91.2 million. This is EUR 53.4 million more than in 2021. The increase is mainly due to the appropriation of EUR 50 million proposed for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines. In addition, EUR 1.4 million is proposed for the extension of influenza vaccinations and EUR 2.0 million for the further extension of pneumococcal vaccinations to the risk groups of older people.Development of information management and Kanta services in healthcare and social welfareIt is proposed that a total of EUR 46.9 million be allocated to the development of national information management in healthcare and social welfare. This is EUR 16.5 million more than in 2021. The sum will be used, for example, to continue the development of Kanta services and the reform of information production.An appropriation of EUR 4.0 million is proposed for the preparation of the roadmap for pharmaceutical matters.Other research and educationA general increase of EUR 5.0 million is proposed both for the funding of university-level research in healthcare and social work and for central government compensation to health and social services units for specialised training of healthcare and social welfare personnel. An appropriation of EUR 30.0 million is proposed for research and EUR 101.0 million for specialised training. Support for war veterans, conscripts and their familiesThe Ministry proposes an appropriation of EUR 192.7 million for the support of veterans. This is EUR 48.6 million less than in 2021. The main reason for the decrease is that there are fewer veterans every year. Of this sum, EUR 43.6 million will be allocated for military injuries indemnities, EUR 20.0 million for the operating costs of institutions for war invalids, EUR 7.7 million for front-line veterans’ supplements and EUR 118.2 million for the rehabilitation of front-line veterans and services provided in their homes.The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health proposes an appropriation of EUR 2.1 million for the rehabilitation of disabled veterans’ spouses, widows and war widows, for the rehabilitation of those who served in certain war-time tasks and for a front-line allowance for certain foreign volunteer front-line soldiers. The Ministry proposes an appropriation of EUR 1.1 million as central government compensation for the care of those who suffered in the wars.Consideration for farmers project to be continuedIn accordance with the Government Programme, the Välitä viljelijästä (Consideration for farmers) project, which supports farmers to cope, will be continued until the end of the government term. In addition, the continuity of this model will be assessed.Grants to associations and foundationsThe Ministry of Social Affairs and Health proposes an appropriation of EUR 332.7 million for grants to associations and foundations to help them promote health and social wellbeing. The sum is EUR 29.7 million less than in 2021. This is due to the drop in Veikkaus Oy’s estimated proceeds. The appropriation takes into account EUR 34.4 million resulting from a lower lottery tax, EUR 50.0 million from the dissolution of non-distributed proceeds in the balance sheet and EUR 58.5 million as on-budget compensation. Agencies, institutions and organisationsThe Ministry of Social Affairs and Health proposes an appropriation of EUR 244.6 million for the operation of the government agencies and public bodies within its administrative branch. Additional appropriations include EUR 1.5 million for safeguarding the research operation of the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, EUR 7.6 million for strengthening the national health security capabilities of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, EUR 3.4 million for national quality and effectiveness information activities, EUR 1.2 million for the additional tasks related to the health and social services reform, EUR 0.5 million for developing the information management and information services of the Finnish Medicines Agency and EUR 1.9 million for implementing the second phase of the Soteri register of the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health.It is proposed that the voluntary funding for the World Health Organization be continued with EUR 5.5 million.An appropriation increase of EUR 0.3 million is proposed for the Finnish Medicines Agency, the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare to improve information security and data protection in the critical sectors of society. An appropriation of EUR 2.6 million is proposed for the data permit authority for healthcare and social welfare.
NordenBladet — On Friday 13 August, the President of the Republic decided to appoint new non-resident ambassadors.The President of the Republic appointed Ambassador Leena Pylvänäinen, Head of Mission at the Finnish Embassy in Abuja from 1 September 2021, to serve as a Non-resident Ambassador to Ghana, and Ambassador Keijo Norvanto, Head of Mission at the Finnish Embassy in Hanoi from 1 September 2021, to serve as Non-resident Ambassador to Laos.In addition, the President of the Republic appointed Ambassador Leena-Kaisa Mikkola, Head of the Finnish Embassy in Beijing from 1 September 2021, to serve as Non-resident Ambassador to Mongolia.
NordenBladet — “The ministry’s draft budget is aimed at boosting sustainable growth. We will invest in good management of employment, skills, innovations, low carbon solutions and digitalisation,” say Minister of Employment Tuula Haatainen and Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä about the draft budget of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment for 2022.The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment proposes main title appropriations totalling EUR 3.298 billion.Increasing investment in employment promotionThe Government is committed to a long-term approach in its work to raise the employment rate through decisions that may bring an estimated 80,000 new jobs. “Promoting employment is our main objective and we will invest significantly in the development of employment services. During 2022, in addition to the Nordic employment service model and a company promoting the employment of people with partial work ability, we will implement numerous other employment measures previously decided by the Government to increase the employment rate,” says Minister of Employment Haatainen. A total of EUR 284 million is proposed for public employment and business services appropriations and just under EUR 198 million for the operating expenditure of the Employment and Economic Development (TE) Offices in 2022. In addition, it is intended to finance from the Sustainable Growth Programme for Finland the implementation of the Nordic employment service model with a total of around EUR 83 million in 2022. Of this, EUR 70 million would be allocated to increasing the staff of TE Offices and EUR 13 million to the development of digital services. New special assignment company to promote employment of people with partial work abilityTo promote the employment of people with partial work ability, a new state-owned special assignment company will be established, a Government proposal on which is currently out for consultation. The task of the company, whose working name is Välittäjä Oy, will be to employ people with partial work ability in longer-term employment relationships than at present, to provide support to employees and to create opportunities for career advancement. “In this way, we can improve, in particular, the employment opportunities of people with partial work ability who are in the most disadvantageous position, and improve their position in Finnish society,” says Minister of Employment Haatainen.The draft budget for 2022 includes a discretionary government transfer of EUR 10 million for the special assignment company’s activities. In addition, the intention is to capitalise the company with a total of EUR 20 million from the Sustainable Growth Programme for Finland. The aim is for the new special assignment company to start operating during 2022. Electrification subsidy to boost carbon-neutral productionThe Government is preparing legislation related to the budget proposal on a subsidy for the electrification of energy-intensive industries. The subsidy will provide more effective incentives for carbon-neutral production and the electrification of energy-intensive companies, taking cost competitiveness in account. “The strategy of the renewal of industry has set Finland the objective of being the world’s most competitive operating environment for industry aiming to be carbon neutral. To achieve this, both incentives and due attention to cost competitiveness will be required,” says Minister of Economic Affairs Lintilä. The amount of subsidy to be paid to companies will be determined by, among other things, the price of emissions allowances and the operator’s level of electricity consumption or production. The draft budget of the Ministry of Employment and the Economy for 2022 includes an appropriation of EUR 87 million for the electrification subsidy. Attracting foreign experts is importantFinnish companies need experts from abroad. Finland is actively seeking to attract foreign experts and to streamline permit processes relating to the immigration of skilled labour. To promote work-based immigration, an additional appropriation of EUR 2.7 million is proposed for the operating expenditure of TE Offices and Business Finland as well as the development of digitalisation in order to establish a Work in Finland support structure to promote the immigration of skilled labour. In work-based immigration, the priorities are sectors suffering from labour shortages mentioned in the Government Programme, and the specialists, students and researchers who are essential for leading and growing fields of research, development and innovation. The Government is also promoting immigration of entrepreneurs and investors. The aim is also to develop, in cooperation with labour market actors, measures that would serve sector-specific needs. Innovation funding to create foundation for growthInvestments in knowledge and innovation are key factors in sustainable economic growth. It is proposed that just over EUR 338 million be allocated to the authorisation for Business Finland’s research, development and innovation grants and EUR 146 million for loans. In addition, significant additional investments will be allocated from the Sustainable Growth Programme for Finland to knowledge and innovation activities in 2022. The amount and allocation of the additional funding will be decided at a later stage in the preparation of the budget proposal. Additional investments from EU Recovery and Resilience Facility The administrative branch of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment will play a key role in the Sustainable Growth Programme for Finland. The programme aims to, among other things, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase productivity and raise the employment rate. The draft budget for 2022 of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment does not yet include additional funding from the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) for 2022. The allocation of funding will be decided later as the preparation of the Government’s budget proposal advances. Proposal for main title applications EUR 3.298 billion – decrease in appropriations is due to a reduction in coronavirus support and the ending of one-off capital funding measuresThe Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment proposes main title appropriations totalling EUR 3.298 billion, which is EUR 584 million less than the actual budget for the current year. The level of main title expenditure is reduced compared with the 2021 Budget due to, in particular, the ending of the one-off capital funding of Finnish Minerals Group (- EUR 300 million), the reduction of coronavirus support payments granted by Business Finland (- EUR 144 million) and ELY Centres (- EUR 65 million), and the removal from the budget of fixed-term appropriations under the Government Programme allocated to growth of research, develop and innovation activities as well as the circular economy and sectors (- EUR 64 million).
NordenBladet — On Thursday 12 August, the Government appointed Mikaela Nylander (Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Sciences, Economics and Business Administration) State Secretary to Minister of Justice Anna-Maja Henriksson as of 16 August and Akseli Koskela (Master of Social Sciences) State Secretary to Minister of the Interior Maria Ohisalo as of 12 August. The State Secretaries’ terms end with those of the Ministers.At the same government plenary session, State Secretary Nylander took her oath of office and State Secretary Koskela gave his declaration of office.Nylander was a Member of Parliament representing the Swedish People’s Party in 2003–2019 and served as Chair of the Swedish Parliamentary Group in 2011–2015. In addition, Nylander has previously served as Special Adviser to the party’s ministerial group. Koskela comes to the position of State Secretary from his post as Head of EU Policy at Technology Industries of Finland. Before that, he worked as a Senior Adviser and a Senior Specialist at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. Koskela has also served as an expert in various ministries.State Secretaries assist ministers in matters related to political steering and preparatory work. They also assist and represent the ministers in the drafting of policy outlines and in interministerial coordination, harmonising of policy positions, implementation of the Government Programme in the minister’s administrative branch, and handling of EU and international affairs.
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 Central Ostrobothnia and North Ostrobothnia and the city of Rovaniemi are moving to the acceleration phase of the epidemic.The decree will enter into force on 14 August 2021.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 14 August :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 must have their own seat at a table or similar in both indoor and outdoor spaces. In indoor spaces, customers will be directed to sit in their seats. Businesses must draw up and provide their customers with instructions on how to enter or leave the premises or access the area designated for smoking or the toilets and washing facilities and how to collect their takeaway orders of food and drinks. In practice, for example dancing and karaoke are not allowed.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, Central Ostrobothnia, North Ostrobothnia and Kainuu, and in the city of Rovaniemi and in those parts of Uusimaa outside Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen, which are all at the acceleration phase of the epidemic, from 14 August: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, South Savo and Lapland, excluding the city of Rovaniemi, from 14 August: 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 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 — Screening for colorectal cancer will be made nationwide. Screening for cervical cancer, too, will be expanded. The Government amended the Government Decree on Screenings on Thursday 12 August. The amendment will enter into force on 1 January 2022.Colorectal cancer screening will be introduced in stages as a nationwide service for people aged 56–74 years. Screening will take place every two years.In 2022, nationwide screening for colorectal cancer will be introduced among men and women aged 60–68 years. Screening will be expanded by age group, and all 56–74-year-olds will be covered in 2031.Colorectal cancer screening is widely used in Europe, and the EU recommends Member States to organise it. Finland has piloted colorectal cancer screening in twelve municipalities over the past two years. The amendment will expand screening for cervical cancer to cover 30–65-year-olds. Now, most municipalities organise screening only for 30–60-year-olds. The Government Decree will give all 65-year-old women access to cervical cancer screening regardless of their place of residence.Cancer screening can help detect precursors or early stages of cancer. There is clear evidence of the effectiveness of screening for cervical cancer and colorectal cancer.
NordenBladet — On 12 August 2021, the Government appointed Deputy National Police Commissioner Tomi Vuori, Master of Laws with court training, as Director General of the Police Department of the Ministry of the Interior. The post will be filled for the period from 16 August 2021 to 15 April 2025 but only for the duration that the holder of the permanent position is on leave of absence.Mr Vuori is currently working as Deputy National Police Commissioner at the National Police Board where he has been responsible for the management of the Board’s advisory staff. Vuori has a long experience of the police sector: he has worked for the police administration since 2008 and before that from 1994 to 2000. He has acted as Director of the Advisory Staff of the Ministry of the Interior’s Police Department, as Director of Development and Director of the Advisory Staff of the National Police Board and as Police Chief of the Helsinki Police Department.“I feel humble to be starting my third post at the Police Department of the Ministry of the Interior. Although we have many challenges ahead us, I’m confident and excited. The police sector needs clear roles and good cooperation,” Vuori says. The responsibilities of the Director General of the Police Department are to direct and develop the operations of the Department and to ensure that they are carried out effectively and appropriately. The duties also include overall development of the sector and ensuring its general operating conditions, and engaging in cooperation with national and international stakeholders. A key task of the Ministry of the Interior is to prepare legislation concerning the police, rescue services, emergency response centre operations, border management, maritime search and rescue and migration, to provide performance management of the agencies and institutions within its administrative branch and to deal with international and EU matters in the Ministry’s branch of government.