NordenBladet — Changes are being made to the restrictions on external border traffic based on COVID-19 incidence rates, as the epidemic continues to spread vigorously in many parts of the world. The Government adopted a decision on the matter on 5 August. The decision will enter into force on 9 August and will remain in force until 22 August 2021. However, people may still enter Finland from all countries upon presenting an approved certificate of a full vaccine course.

External border traffic refers to traffic between Finland and non-Schengen third countries. From 8 August, the previous decision from 15 July will be amended so that the restrictions on entry will be lifted for Ukrainian residents arriving in Finland in traffic from Ukraine.

By contrast, restrictions on entry will be reinstated for residents of Azerbaijan, South Korea, Japan, Moldova, Serbia and Singapore in traffic arriving in Finland from these countries. If a person arriving from these countries has not received a full vaccine course, the accepted reasons for entry are return travel to Finland, return travel to other EU or Schengen countries, transit on regular, scheduled flights at an airport or other essential travel.

In other respects, the restrictions on entry at external borders that were decided by the Government on 15 July and that came into force on 19 July will remain unchanged. These restrictions will be in force until 22 August.

People are free to come to Finland from all countries upon presenting an approved certificate of a full vaccine course
In line with the Government decision from 15 July, people who are able to present a certificate of a completed and approved COVID-19 vaccine course received at least 14 days prior to arrival may enter Finland from all countries. A list of approved vaccines is available on the website of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).

However, people arriving in Finland in external border traffic must take into account that a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 is an acceptable justification for entry into the country only for citizens of the EU and Schengen countries and for people residing in an EU or Schengen country.See the websites below for more information on the entry restrictions and health security requirements in place.

NordenBladet — The Government has approved an amendment to the decree allowing entry into Finland without the health security measures laid down in the Communicable Diseases Act. The amendment to the decree will enter into force on 9 August 2021.

Persons arriving in Finland from a country or region where the incidence of COVID-19 or the prevalence of virus variants does not pose a particular risk of spreading the epidemic  will not be required to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or of recovery from COVID-19 within the past six months or to take a COVID-19 test upon entry. The decree has now been amended in the light of the changed epidemic situation. The epidemiological situation has deteriorated in the following countries and they will be removed from the decree: Iceland, Israel, San Marino, Singapore and Slovakia. The development of the epidemic has improved in Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Romania and Hungary and these countries will added to the decree. Under the government decree, persons arriving in Finland from the following countries will not be required to be tested or show a certificate: Albania, Australia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Hong Kong, Hungary, China, Macao, Poland, Romania, Taiwan, New Zealand and the Vatican, and the Norwegian municipalities of Storfjord, Kåfjord, Nordreisa, Kautokeino, Karasjok, Tana, Nesseby and Sør-Varanger. In these countries, the incidence of new COVID-19 cases is less than 10 per 100,000 inhabitants in the previous 14 days. The decree will be amended if the epidemiological situation so requires.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NordenBladet — COVID-19 vaccines will now be offered to all children and young people aged 12–15. The Government amended the decree on voluntary COVID-19 vaccinations accordingly on Thursday 5 August, and the amendments will enter into force on 9 August 2021. 

Children and young people will be offered the BioNTech-Pfizer Comirnaty vaccine or the Moderna Spikevax vaccine. These are the only vaccines currently in use in Finland that are conditionally authorised for use in people 12 years of age or older. Both vaccines are mRNA vaccines.

A minor can make the decision on whether to get vaccinated if the healthcare professional administering the vaccine determines that, based on their age and level of development, the minor is able to make that decision. If a young person does not want to or is not able to make the decision, administering the vaccine requires the consent of the parents or guardians. Vaccination against COVID-19 is voluntary.

Vaccinations can be carried out, at the discretion of the regional authorities, for example in schools or in connection with the mass vaccination of the adult population.So far, COVID-19 vaccines have been available to all people over 16 years of age and to people 12–15 years of age who belong to medical risk groups.

NordenBladet — The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, and the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority published a draft of the national programme for spent fuel and radioactive waste management on 5 August 2021. A report on the environmental impacts of the programme was released at the same time.

The ministries and the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority request comments on the draft programme and environmental report from authorities, operators in the sector, citizens and communities by 10 September 2021. The national programme is a comprehensive plan aimed at ensuring that all spent fuel and radioactive waste generated in Finland is managed safely. The national programme includes general objectives, principles, amounts and locations of spent fuel and radioactive waste management as well as an estimate of the costs and schedule of waste management. All waste management measures are to be implemented without undue delay.

Finland is required by the Directive on management of spent fuel and radioactive waste (2011/70/Euratom) to formulate a national programme. In national legislation, provisions on the programme concerning the use of nuclear energy and radiation are laid down in the Nuclear Energy Act and the Radiation Act, respectively.  An environmental impact assessment was carried out during the preparation of the programme. The assessment includes a description of the operating environment, objectives and likely significant environmental impacts of the project. The environmental impact assessment aims to take better account of environmental impacts when preparing and approving the national programme, to promote sustainable development, and to improve the public’s access to information and their opportunities for participation.

Comments on the draft programme and environmental impact assessment report can be submitted online, by email or by letter
The draft national programme and the environmental report have been published on the website of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment at www.tem.fi/kansallinen-ohjelma, on the website of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health at www.stm.fi, and on the website of the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority at www.stuk.fiThe documents will be published online in Finnish. Their summaries will also be available in Swedish and English.Comments and opinions on the draft national programme and the environmental report may be submitted until 10 September 2021. Statements or opinions may be submitted on the website Lausuntopalvelu.fi, by e-mail or by letter to the Registry of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment.

The postal address of the Registry of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment is PO Box 32, FI-00023 GOVERNMENT.
The visiting address of the Registry of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment is Ritarikatu 2 B, 00170 Helsinki.

NordenBladet — Finland has sponsored the United Nations Junior Professional Officers (JPO) Programme since 1965, encouraging young Finnish nationals to work in UN agencies and international financial and research institutions. The newly selected Finnish JPO will be posted to work in the UN Global Pulse innovation initiative. Emma Honkala, 30, graduated Master of Science in Global Health. She will first work at the UN Global Pulse Headquarters in New York and transfer to the Pulse Lab Kampala in Uganda for the second year of assignment. The innovation initiative is a programme under the administration of the UN Secretary-General, promoting the use of data and artificial intelligence for development, humanitarian activities and peacemaking. UN Global Pulse Finland, which joined the UN Global Pulse Network in 2020, specialises in foresight and innovation. Photo: Janne HirvasvuopioOf the approximately 460 Finns that the Ministry for Foreign Affairs knows to be working for the UN, more than 60 % have started their career through a JPO programme sponsored by Finland. “The Junior Professional Officers Programme is a channel of influence and an important means for Finns to enter upon a career in the UN,” says Pasi Pöysäri, Director of the Unit for Sustainable Development and Climate Policy.Finland nominates young professionals upon secondments that support the objectives of Finland’s development policy, including equality, quality education, fight against climate change, digitalisation or disability inclusion.Pöysäri heads a unit that is responsible for making the preliminary assessment of JPOs’ duty stations and job descriptions. However, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs does not play any role in the final recruitment decisions, but the UN agencies select the persons that they consider the most suitable ones for the positions in question.Well-educated, indefatigable Finns who have already travelled and possess good language skills are favoured candidates.  The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) have recruited Finns the most through the JPO Programme. The graph contains 10 UN organisations/agencies that have recruited Finnish young professionals the most through the JPO Programme. (Source: Ministry for Foreign Affairs)A JPO Programme can be a springboard for leading positions in international organisationsKirsi Madi’s career in the service of the United Nations, which started in the 1990s when she was a JPO specialising in humanitarian work, has continued without interruption for almost 30 years. She says that the term as a JPO sparked a burning ambition and desire to work in areas to do with development issues. Working in the field gave concrete experience of the huge impacts of the work.  After the term as a JPO, Madi has held several different UN positions. In 2019, she was offered the opportunity to return to UNICEF where she is currently Chief of Staff.She considers that the most important qualifications in international positions are analytical skills, and capacity and skills to express one’s ideas clearly and to push things forward.“It is important to understand what is required in work in international organisations with different people who have different opinions.   It is rewarding but at the same time you must be flexible and prepared to listen to others and to change your viewpoints as necessary,” Madi says.  The majority of Finnish JPOs work in Africa, Asia or Europe. The graphic presentation shows the proportions in relation to all selected Finnish JPOs. (Source: Ministry for Foreign Affairs) Candidates for JPO positions have diverse backgroundsThe JPO Programme is open for persons under 32 years of age with a Master’s degree, a minimum of two years of professional experience and good language skills.Applicants for JPO positions may have diverse profiles, such as expertise in social and natural sciences or human resources administration. Finnish young professionals have found positions not only in countries where the working language is English but also in countries where Spanish, French, Russian, Arabic or Chinese is needed.   According to Pöysäri, Finland seeks JPO positions that offer also further employment opportunities. However, the intention is not as such to advance the career of individuals but to promote Finland’s interests more widely.Young professionals do not necessarily continue their career in an international organisation after their JPO assignment, but they have gathered unique experience when returning to Finland.Should they later decide to apply for an international position, the previous work experience in the UN will be a valuable asset. Sanna Lindgren, ConsultUnit for Communications on Sustainable Development and Trade (VIE-30)

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi