The impact of coronavirus  on education and culture

The hospital districts publish information on the prevailing situation with regard to the COVID-19 epidemic in their area and on the restrictions and recommendations in force that are used to prevent the spread of the virus. Links to information from different hospital districts are collected on the website of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare. 

The website can also be used to check which areas are included in the baseline, acceleration and community transmission phases of the COVID-19 epidemic. They are used to assess the need for recommendations and restrictions and how to target them. The hospital districts organise the work of public authorities in their area and monitor the situation together with the local authorities.

The regional state administrative agencies issue provisions on organising public events and general gatherings in accordance with the Act on Communicable Diseases. If necessary, municipalities can introduce more specific restrictions in the event of sudden mass exposure. 

• THL: The COVID-19 epidemic: regional situation, recommendations and restrictions
• Finnish government: Restrictions during the coronavirus epidemic
• Finnish government: Regional COVID-19 situation and restrictions by hospital district

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) currently recommends the use of masks throughout the country. Further recommendations on the use of masks in different situations depend on the phase of the coronavirus epidemic and may vary by region.

In the acceleration and community transmission phases, wearing a mask is also recommended for all work communities as well as in indoor facilities for recreational and voluntary activities, if several people work and stay in the same facility. 

The recommendations on masks for citizens issued by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare primarily apply to people over 12 years of age. When the epidemic has reached an acceleration phase and a community transmission phase, the use of masks is recommended in higher education institutions, upper secondary education institutions and for pupils in classes 6–9 in comprehensive school. It is recommended that masks are worn in school transport and public transport on school trips. 

As this is a recommendation, it is not possible to oblige students to wear masks. However, students should be encouraged to use them and shown how to use them so that the potential spread of the epidemic can be prevented as effectively as possible.

Local authorities and hospital districts decide whether a recommendation should be introduced in their own area during an acceleration phase or community transmission phase. After this, each actor (e.g. education provider) decides how and to what extent the recommendation can be applied in practice.

As recommended by regional authorities, face masks can also be used in other situations where it is not possible to avoid close contacts. 

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare has not issued a separate recommendation on the use of masks in liberal adult education and basic education in the arts. However, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare recommends using masks in public indoor spaces and in public events where close contacts cannot always be avoided. For this reason, the use of masks is justified in liberal adult education and basic education in the arts in the same way as in other forms of education. 

• THL: Recommendation on the use of face masks for citizens

Ensure that children or adults who are ill do not attend early childhood education and care. It is also important to ensure that staff and children are not moved between groups and sites. Avoid forming large groups. Follow strict hygiene routines in early childhood education.

The provider of early childhood education and care is responsible for ensuring the safety of children and employees. The measures education providers should take include enhanced cleaning, reducing group sizes and forming permanent groups of staff and children.

The amendment to the Basic Education Act (1191/2020) makes it possible for education providers, following a decision made by virtue of the Communicable Diseases Act, to make an independent decision to introduce exceptional arrangements temporarily in teaching if the instruction cannot be organised safely in contact teaching and such arrangements are necessary to be able to provide instruction. 

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) currently recommends the use of masks throughout the country. Further recommendations on the use of masks in different situations depend on the phase of the coronavirus epidemic and may vary by region.

In the acceleration and community transmission phases, wearing a mask is also recommended for all work communities as well as in indoor facilities for recreational and voluntary activities, if several people work and stay in the same facility. 

The recommendations on masks for citizens issued by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare primarily apply to people over 12 years of age. When the epidemic has reached an acceleration phase and a community transmission phase, the use of masks is recommended in higher education institutions, upper secondary education institutions and for pupils in classes 6–9 in comprehensive school. It is recommended that masks are worn in school transport and public transport on school trips. 

As this is a recommendation, it is not possible to oblige students to wear masks. However, students should be encouraged to use them and shown how to use them so that the potential spread of the epidemic can be prevented as effectively as possible.

Local authorities and hospital districts decide whether a recommendation should be introduced in their own area during an acceleration phase or community transmission phase. After this, each actor (e.g. education provider) decides how and to what extent the recommendation can be applied in practice.

As recommended by regional authorities, face masks can also be used in other situations where it is not possible to avoid close contacts. 

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare has not issued a separate recommendation on the use of masks in liberal adult education and basic education in the arts. However, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare recommends using masks in public indoor spaces and in public events where close contacts cannot always be avoided. For this reason, the use of masks is justified in liberal adult education and basic education in the arts in the same way as in other forms of education. 

• THL: Recommendation on the use of face masks for citizens

If a child becomes ill during the day, the symptomatic child must be immediately transferred to a separate space accompanied by an adult to wait for the arrival of the parent or carer. Adults must avoid close contact with the sick child by maintaining sufficient physical distance. Those who have symptoms should contact their own health centre and take a coronavirus test as instructed by their health centre.

Teachers who fall ill during the day must leave the school premises. The education provider must take the necessary measures to continue the interrupted teaching.

The person infected with COVID-19 must stay away from school or early childhood education and care for at least 14 days from the onset of symptoms, or for a longer period, if necessary, so that he or she has been asymptomatic for at least two days before returning to school or early childhood education and care.

The physician responsible for infectious diseases in the municipality or hospital district is responsible for investigating transmission chains. If someone in early childhood education and care, in school or in an educational institution is diagnosed with COVID-19, those who might possibly have been exposed to it are tracked down and quarantined for 14 days.

The arrangements in all school premises will be made so that there are fewer children in them at one and the same time. If necessary, empty teaching facilities (e.g. secondary education institutions) can be used for this purpose.

In primary schools, the teaching groups will be kept separate throughout the school day. In lower secondary schools and in optional subjects, the teaching group may change if it is not possible to hold the lessons any other way.

If it is not possible to keep teaching groups separate, for example in lower secondary schools, effort should be made to ensure physical distancing arrangements and to stagger teaching as far as possible.

No regulations on safe distances between people have been issued. Groups do not need to be divided; instead, areas should be organised with more physical distancing between people.

Under the Assembly Act, activities in school and early childhood education and care do not constitute a general meeting or public event. The activities are not subject to any restrictions on assembly.

The regulations on group sizes and staffing sizes are in force as enacted in the legislation on basic education and on early childhood education and care. Groups larger than usual, such as combined groups consisting of several teachers, should be avoided in early childhood education, pre-primary education and schools.

School meals are to be arranged individually with the students’ own class or group; no joint meals in the lunchroom. However, the lunchroom can be used in turns. Proper hygiene when preparing and distributing food as well as during school meals should be ensured. In addition, break times can be staggered, for example.

The education providers will issue more detailed instructions on practical arrangements to meet the needs of each school.

If a pupil or their family member belongs to a risk group, the attending doctor will assess whether the pupil can return to school or early childhood education.

Cases of severe COVID-19 are very rare in children and the risk of severe cases has not risen in healthy children and adolescents whose underlying health condition is under therapeutic control. Those at risk of contracting a severe case of COVID-19 comprise children whose underlying condition generally causes an increased risk of serious infections.

For those working in schools and early childhood education, the measures are based on a risk assessment carried out by the employer. Occupational healthcare supports the employer in the risk assessment.

The coronavirus action plan classifies the epidemic into three phases: baseline, acceleration phase and community transmission phase.  They are used to assess the need for recommendations and restrictions and how to target them. The phases can also be used as a basis for decision-making at regional and national level.

In its resolution of 22 October 2020, the Government advocates that universities, universities of applied sciences, general upper secondary education, vocational education, basic art education for adults, liberal adult education and basic education for adults, transition to broader self-oriented distance teaching arrangements as a rule only when it is deemed absolutely necessary based on a regional epidemiological assessment carried out by the health authorities. 

In the acceleration phase, it is recommended that higher education institutions consider seriously the transition to distance teaching, but bearing in mind the need for essential contact teaching.
In the community transmission phase, it is recommended that general upper secondary schools, vocational education and training institutions, educational institutions for liberal education, educational institutions providing basic art education for adults, basic education for adults and higher education institutions consider seriously the transition to distance teaching altogether, but bearing in mind the need for essential contact teaching.

Education and training will be organised in accordance with operational legislation, taking into account the guidelines on hygiene and safety. The arrangements for distance teaching will be organised in such a way that their negative effects on the progress of studies can be minimised.

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) currently recommends the use of masks throughout the country. Further recommendations on the use of masks in different situations depend on the phase of the coronavirus epidemic and may vary by region.

In the acceleration and community transmission phases, wearing a mask is also recommended for all work communities as well as in indoor facilities for recreational and voluntary activities, if several people work and stay in the same facility. 

The recommendations on masks for citizens issued by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare primarily apply to people over 12 years of age. When the epidemic has reached an acceleration phase and a community transmission phase, the use of masks is recommended in higher education institutions, upper secondary education institutions and for pupils in classes 6–9 in comprehensive school. It is recommended that masks are worn in school transport and public transport on school trips. 

As this is a recommendation, it is not possible to oblige students to wear masks. However, students should be encouraged to use them and shown how to use them so that the potential spread of the epidemic can be prevented as effectively as possible.

Local authorities and hospital districts decide whether a recommendation should be introduced in their own area during an acceleration phase or community transmission phase. After this, each actor (e.g. education provider) decides how and to what extent the recommendation can be applied in practice.

As recommended by regional authorities, face masks can also be used in other situations where it is not possible to avoid close contacts. 

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare has not issued a separate recommendation on the use of masks in liberal adult education and basic education in the arts. However, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare recommends using masks in public indoor spaces and in public events where close contacts cannot always be avoided. For this reason, the use of masks is justified in liberal adult education and basic education in the arts in the same way as in other forms of education. 

• THL: Recommendation on the use of face masks for citizens

Upper secondary students are better equipped to study independently than pupils in primary school. However, some students in secondary school may also lack certain learning skills, self-management skills or motivation to study. It has been particularly difficult for students belonging to different language and cultural groups with students from migrant background and for students who need special support to adapt to distance learning and independent studies.

It is important to support the most vulnerable students in these emergency conditions. Special arrangements have been made to provide guidance and support so that special needs teachers, student and guidance counsellors, and social workers can be contacted remotely. Students from migrant background have also been sent tasks on paper by mail if they do not have computers with remote connections or are not accustomed to using a computer or other digital tools in their studies. Some education providers have organised small-scale service points in their premises, where students in need of support or students in need of study equipment have been able to drop by.

The need for supporting students will continue even after the emergency conditions are over. Over the next school year, extra effort will be needed to bridge the skills and learning gaps that are being created under these emergency conditions. This means additional investment in education, guidance and other support measures. This work is being prepared by the Ministry of Education and Culture.

The coronavirus action plan classifies the epidemic into three phases: baseline, acceleration phase and community transmission phase.  They are used to assess the need for recommendations and restrictions and how to target them. The phases can also be used as a basis for decision-making at regional and national level.

In its resolution of 22 October 2020, the Government advocates that universities, universities of applied sciences, general upper secondary education, vocational education, basic art education for adults, liberal adult education and basic education for adults, transition to broader self-oriented distance teaching arrangements as a rule only when it is deemed absolutely necessary based on a regional epidemiological assessment carried out by the health authorities. 

In the acceleration phase, it is recommended that higher education institutions consider seriously the transition to distance teaching, but bearing in mind the need for essential contact teaching.
In the community transmission phase, it is recommended that general upper secondary schools, vocational education and training institutions, educational institutions for liberal education, educational institutions providing basic art education for adults, basic education for adults and higher education institutions consider seriously the transition to distance teaching altogether, but bearing in mind the need for essential contact teaching.

Education and training will be organised in accordance with operational legislation, taking into account the guidelines on hygiene and safety. The arrangements for distance teaching will be organised in such a way that their negative effects on the progress of studies can be minimised.

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) currently recommends the use of masks throughout the country. Further recommendations on the use of masks in different situations depend on the phase of the coronavirus epidemic and may vary by region.

In the acceleration and community transmission phases, wearing a mask is also recommended for all work communities as well as in indoor facilities for recreational and voluntary activities, if several people work and stay in the same facility. 

The recommendations on masks for citizens issued by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare primarily apply to people over 12 years of age. When the epidemic has reached an acceleration phase and a community transmission phase, the use of masks is recommended in higher education institutions, upper secondary education institutions and for pupils in classes 6–9 in comprehensive school. It is recommended that masks are worn in school transport and public transport on school trips. 

As this is a recommendation, it is not possible to oblige students to wear masks. However, students should be encouraged to use them and shown how to use them so that the potential spread of the epidemic can be prevented as effectively as possible.

Local authorities and hospital districts decide whether a recommendation should be introduced in their own area during an acceleration phase or community transmission phase. After this, each actor (e.g. education provider) decides how and to what extent the recommendation can be applied in practice.

As recommended by regional authorities, face masks can also be used in other situations where it is not possible to avoid close contacts. 

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare has not issued a separate recommendation on the use of masks in liberal adult education and basic education in the arts. However, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare recommends using masks in public indoor spaces and in public events where close contacts cannot always be avoided. For this reason, the use of masks is justified in liberal adult education and basic education in the arts in the same way as in other forms of education. 

• THL: Recommendation on the use of face masks for citizens

The restrictions placed on vocational education and training institutions were lifted on 13 May 2020. Since then, in other words from 14 May 2020, the use of the premises in the educational institutions for teaching purposes are managed by measures governed by the Communicable Diseases Act and teaching is provided in accordance with the legislation on vocational education and training.

However, in its Government Resolution of 6 May 2020, the Government recommends that distance learning continue in vocational education and training until the end of the term (until the end of May). Education providers are the ones to decide how much contact teaching is needed. In the summer, contact teaching will be arranged in line with the guidelines on hygiene and physical distancing.

Where education providers consider it necessary to provide contact teaching in the situations referred to above or otherwise, they must take into account the recommendations and instructions of the authorities regarding the COVID-19 epidemic in order to ensure the health and safety of students and staff.

The need for supporting students will continue even after the emergency conditions are over. In the future, extra effort will be needed to bridge the skills and learning gaps that the emergency conditions created. This means additional investment in teaching, guidance and other support measures. This work is being prepared by the Ministry of Education and Culture.

The studies will be evaluated in the manner defined in the national curriculum and the local curriculum.

In some subjects, there might be grounds to organise the demonstration of competence in the premises of the educational institution. In such cases, the guidelines and instructions of the authorities should be followed. However, even in these cases it would be advisable to try to find remote solutions that would allow the creation of sustainable practices that can also be applied in the coming academic year. Assessments in the course of studies and at the end of studies must be carried out based on demonstrations and evidence that are as versatile as possible. The students are informed of the assessment procedures for each course at the beginning of each course. The basic premise is that courses that are generally assessed in numerical terms should continue to be assessed numerically.

Education and training providers decide whether they want to organise entrance exams or aptitude tests and any additional proof of competence.

Education and training providers may choose not to organise entrance exams and aptitude tests if it is deemed expedient. Instead, other additional proof of competence that does not require the presence of the student in the same way as entrance exams and aptitude tests may be used as a basis for student selection if necessary.

Upper secondary students are better equipped to study independently than pupils in primary school. However, some students in secondary school may also lack certain learning skills, self-management skills or motivation to study. It has been particularly difficult for students belonging to different language and cultural groups with students from migrant background and for students who need special support to adapt to distance learning and independent studies.

It is important to support the most vulnerable students in these emergency conditions. Special arrangements have been made to provide guidance and support so that special needs teachers, student and guidance counsellors, and social workers can be contacted remotely. Students from migrant background have also been sent tasks on paper by mail if they do not have computers with remote connections or are not accustomed to using a computer or other digital tools in their studies. Some education providers have organised small-scale service points in their premises, where students in need of support or students in need of study equipment have been able to drop by.

The need for supporting students will continue even after the emergency conditions are over. Over the next school year, extra effort will be needed to bridge the skills and learning gaps that are being created under these emergency conditions. This means additional investment in education, guidance and other support measures. This work is being prepared by the Ministry of Education and Culture.

Workplace training and traineeships that are organised outside the educational institution will continue if the workplace can do so and the education provider and employer deem the working environment safe for the student.

If there is a high risk of contracting the coronavirus in the workplace, it is recommended that workplace training be suspended and continue only after the risk no longer exists.

In the health care sector, it is worth bearing in mind that health care students might have to help out if there is a shortage of personnel in health care should the epidemic last long.

Demonstrations may continue if the workplace can do so and the education provider and employer deem the demonstration environment safe for the student.

If there is a high risk of contracting the coronavirus in the workplace, it is recommended that demonstrations continue only after the risk no longer exists.

Financing will not be suspended; the payment of financing that has already been decided will continue as normal, as education and training have not been suspended. Student and performance data are recorded as normal, even though teaching is arranged in alternative ways instead of contact teaching. Student feedback is collected as before.

Yes, apart from short student and traineeship exchanges, it is possible to organise and take part also in exchanges during the COVID-19 epidemic, but they must carefully take into account the policies of the higher education institutions as well as regional recommendations.

The hosting higher education institution is responsible for ensuring that foreign students are sufficiently aware of the restrictive measures and recommendations to combat the coronavirus epidemic.

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare recommends that short exchange student periods be suspended for the time being, but longer student exchanges, i.e. ones lasting several months, may be held by adhering to the instructions of the authorities in both the country of departure and the country of arrival.  

• THL: THL recommends that short-term international student exchanges are suspended
• THL: Travel and the coronavirus pandemic
• OPH: Instructions regarding coronavirus for ongoing projects in Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes

There are several admissions routes for student admissions to higher education institutions, such as: certificate-based admissions, entrance exams, and by means of studies completed in open university, for example. Higher education institutions decide independently on the admissions criteria and on how to organise entrance exams during the pandemic.

In January 2021, universities and universities of applied sciences have announced that they are preparing to organise the spring and summer entrance exams on campuses or other on-site premises. The exams will be supervised and comply with strict security and necessary distancing arrangements. Higher education institutions will also prepare for any changes to the exams that might be necessary because of the pandemic. 

• Studyinfo.fi

Primarily contact your own higher education institution and, in financial matters, the funding body that is organising the exchange period (applies only if it is a body other than a higher education institution). The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare recommends that short exchange student periods be suspended for the time being. Your own higher education institution will also answer questions related to possible cancellation or postponement of your exchange student period. 

• THL: THL recommends that short-term international student exchanges are suspended
• THL: Travel and the coronavirus pandemic
• OPH: Instructions regarding coronavirus for ongoing projects in Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes

Higher education institutions, educational institutions and other organisations that provide exchange programmes and projects decide how, together with the organisations they cooperate with, to implement their international activities and agree on measures for both outgoing and incoming student mobility.

The higher education institutions and educational institutions are essentially the ones to make the decisions on postponing, suspending and reorganising student exchange periods. They must follow the official press releases, contact those participating in international projects and advise them to contact the Finnish Embassy or Consulate, if necessary, for further instructions.

The international activities of EU projects can be prematurely suspended, carried out with another partner, postponed to a later date or cancelled. Notice of cancellation or postponement must be given as soon as possible to the Finnish National Agency for Education, which gives advice on how to proceed.

It is possible to apply for compensation based on force majeure clauses for mobility periods and expenses financed by the national agency in Finland via the Erasmus Plus and the European Solidarity Corps programmes. Force majeure practices may vary from country to country. The national agency of the country financing the project is always the one to decide on the reimbursement of project costs. For this reason, it is essential that the coordinating organisation should direct the process in line with the instructions of the national agency financing the project.

For non-EU exchange programmes, contact the organisation providing the funding.

For more information, please first contact the international services of your educational institution.

The provisions on student financial aid make it possible to take review the maximum time limits for student financial aid and sufficient progress in studies in an exceptional situation such as the one caused by the coronavirus.

If it has not been possible to study, the payment of student financial aid may be continued even if study attainment falls short, and the maximum period qualifying for financial aid for studies may be extended.

• More about how the coronavirus affects student benefits  

The Government Resolution of 25 February 2021 includes the following additional measures related to the leisure activities of children and young people during the community transmission phase of the epidemic:

• recommendation to the population and operators to suspend group leisure activities and participation in such activities by children over 12 years of age, unless it is possible to comply with the guidelines for organising leisure activities safely (the municipalities are responsible for implementing the measure).
• recommendation to regional state administrative agencies and municipalities to decide on the temporary closure of high-risk facilities for group leisure activities for children over 12 years of age, unless it is possible to comply with the guidelines for organising leisure activities safely.

The Communicable Diseases Act has already enabled regional state administrative agencies and municipalities to prohibit public events and general gatherings in their own area for a maximum of one month at a time for justified reasons relating to the epidemic. A temporary legislative amendment has now been made to the Communicable Diseases Act, extending the powers of the authorities. The amendments to the provisions in the Communicable Diseases Act entered into force on 22 February 2021 and are for the most part in force until 30 June 2021. Under the amended Act, the regional state administrative agencies and local authorities can introduce regional and local restrictions on business and leisure activities when this is necessary to prevent the spread of the epidemic.

The measures to be taken depend on the epidemiological situation in each region. When the epidemic is at a stable level, general hygiene measures are binding in all areas where customers and participants are present. In the acceleration phase of the epidemic, the authorities may decide that activities must be arranged in such a way that no close contacts take place. This also applies to leisure activities. In the community transmission phase of the epidemic, municipalities or the regional state administrative agencies can close businesses and other facilities that are intended for customers and participants, including private facilities, for a period of two weeks (municipalities can close their facilities for longer periods too). The closure of private facilities may apply only to facilities specified in the Communicable Diseases Act, such as indoor sports facilities, swimming pools, dance halls, amusement parks and indoor playgrounds.

Professional sport is precluded from the restrictive measures and lockdown measures specified in the temporary amendment to the Communicable Diseases Act. Based on the rationale of the Act, professional sport means sports activities based on a series licence contract or an athlete’s contract of the Olympic Committee as well as the activities of national teams in A-series when there is no audience. In practice, this means restricting professional sports to elite sports, covering the two highest sports series in ball games, senior athletes in A-series, and athletes selected through the selection system of the national sports federation who are training for international competitions.

The organisers of leisure activities are responsible for complying with guidelines and recommendations. Municipalities are responsible for the prevention of infectious diseases in their own area, and they also decide on possible restrictions in the premises that are used for leisure activities. Sports associations, the Olympic Committee, cultural organisations and youth organisations are encouraged to draw up more detailed guidelines to make leisure activities safer.

Municipalities and joint municipal authorities may issue municipal and regional recommendations for group leisure activities similar to the guidelines for organising public events. Hospital districts may also issue more detailed regional and local recommendations.

The municipal bodies responsible for combating communicable diseases are primarily responsible for making decisions on closures of premises and the prohibition of public meetings or public events. The regional state administrative agencies may make such decisions when the decisions are needed for an area covering several municipalities.

Some leisure activities may be seen as a public event or a general gathering. Such events are subject to restrictions for public events imposed by the regional state administrative agencies. For example, the activities and events of sports clubs and other recreational clubs that do not have an audience and are not open to everyone are not public events or public gatherings. 

The purpose of the recommendations of the Government and the ministries is to support the activities of different actors and authorities, in particular when executing tasks governed by the Act on Communicable Diseases in municipalities, joint municipal authorities and regional state administrative agencies. The coronavirus action plan classifies the epidemic into three phases: baseline, acceleration phase and community transmission phase.  They are used to assess the need for recommendations and restrictions and how to target them. The phases can also be used as a basis for decision-making at regional and national level.

In its resolution of 22 October 2020, the Government recommends that municipalities may, in the acceleration phase of the epidemic, recommend suspending indoor group leisure activities for adults (aged 18 and over) in situations where there is a high risk of infection and the activities are types of activities that are considered to cause high risk of infection. Leisure activities are considered high-risk if close contacts and the risk of droplet infection at close range cannot be avoided. Leisure activities for all age groups should be organised so that participants and parties can avoid close contact. In areas that are in the community transmission phase, the Government recommends suspending group leisure activities altogether if necessary. However, special discretion should be used when considering whether to suspend children’s and young people’s leisure activities and the leisure activities of population groups with limited functional capacity. 

• THL: The COVID-19 epidemic: regional situation, recommendations and restrictions

Municipalities and joint municipal authorities may issue municipal and regional recommendations for group leisure activities similar to the guidelines for organising public events. 

Leisure activities and the use of public spaces should be organised so that participants and parties can avoid close contact with one another in practice. This can be done by limiting the number of participants, by seating and space arrangements or by other means.

The coronavirus action plan classifies the epidemic into three phases: baseline, acceleration phase and community transmission phase.  They are used to assess the need for recommendations and restrictions and how to target them. The phases can also be used as a basis for decision-making at regional and national level.

In the acceleration phase, municipalities and joint municipal authorities may also recommend suspending high-risk indoor group leisure activities for adults (aged 18 and over) and, where possible, carrying out the activities in online form. Leisure activities are considered high-risk if close contacts and the risk of droplet infection at close range cannot be avoided. 

In the community transmission phase, it is recommended that municipalities and joint municipal authorities consider tightening the recommendations so that group leisure activities are temporarily suspended altogether, if necessary, based on restrictions on the use of spaces. 
In the case of children's and young people's leisure activities, and in basic art education and leisure activities for population groups with limited functional capacity, it is important to assess what effects the restrictions are like to cause. 

The purpose of the recommendations of the Government and the ministries is to support the activities of different actors and authorities, in particular when executing tasks governed by the Act on Communicable Diseases in municipalities, joint municipal authorities and regional state administrative agencies. The website of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare can be used to check which areas are included in the baseline, acceleration and community transmission phases of the COVID-19 epidemic.

• THL: The COVID-19 epidemic: regional situation, recommendations and restrictions

It is important to make sure that people comply with hygiene recommendations at public events, general gatherings and public spaces. This way it is possible to prevent infections and limit the number of people exposed to the virus.

The organisers of events and activities may draw up situation-specific, action-specific or event-specific recommendations. However, the recommendations must take into account guidelines, such as those issued by the regional state administrative agencies, related to restrictions to gatherings and guidelines for public events. 

In the acceleration and community transmission phases of the COVID-19 epidemic, municipalities and joint municipal authorities may issue municipal and regional recommendations for public spaces similar to the safety guidelines used when organising public events. In the acceleration phase of the epidemic, municipalities may also recommend that the number of users of spaces be limited to half of the normal permitted number. In the community transmission phase, municipalities must consider whether it is advisable to temporarily suspend the use of public spaces altogether. When making recommendations, particular attention must be paid, where appropriate, to how the spaces are being used and how the restrictions would affect children and young people, for example.

Factors that have a bearing on the risk of infection in leisure activities include the number of participants, the size of the space being used for the activities and air conditioning in the space, and the quality of the activities. Leisure activities are considered high-risk if close contacts and the risk of droplet infection at close range cannot be avoided. 

A comprehensive list of leisure activities or types of sport at high risk of coronavirus infection has not been drawn up, but the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare's recommendation on the risk of coronavirus infection in indoor sports and cultural activities can be used for assessment purposes.

In essence, the risk of infection increases if

• it is not possible to ensure adequate safe distancing (at least 2 metres between each person on a continuous basis),
• masks cannot be used
• the leisure activity involves shortness of breath or strenuous use of voice.

The risk of coronavirus is higher especially in indoor team and contact sports where it is difficult to avoid contact with others. According to studies, singing in a choir has also been associated with an increased risk of infection. 

Decisions taken by the regional state administrative agencies under the Communicable Diseases Act apply to performances, concerts, shows and other public events. If the disease situation were to suddenly become worse, individual municipalities may impose tighter restrictions locally to prevent the epidemic from spreading.

The organisers of events and activities may draw up situation-specific, action-specific or event-specific recommendations. Such recommendations must take into account all decisions related to restrictions on gatherings and guidelines for public events, however.

No one with even the slightest symptoms of illness may attend public events or general gatherings or be in public spaces. 

By following the instructions issued by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Education and Culture on safe distancing and hygiene practices, it is possible to ensure the safety of participants and prevent the spread of COVID-19 infections. 

Organisers are responsible for ensuring that their events are organised in a safe way for the participants and for verifying how the guidelines are applied to the arrangements in practice.

Separate provisions are issued on the obligations that organisers holding events in the capacity of an employer have to protect employees. For those working in public premises, the measures are based on a risk assessment made by the employer. Occupational healthcare supports employers in the risk assessment.

It is the responsibility of every event organiser and participant to comply with the authorities' regulations, guidelines and recommendations in their activities, thus preventing the spread of COVID-19.

The libraries opened gradually from June 1 2020. It was possible to borrow books from the libraries already before that. 

• Covid-19 and Finnish public libraries 

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, the Ministry of Education and Culture is flexible in ensuring that the necessary costs of supported activities or projects, such as those arising from previously booked journeys or from facilities and accommodation reservations made, can be covered with a discretionary government grant.

Instructions on discretionary government grants related to the coronavirus outbreak:

It is possible to apply for an extension depending on the terms and conditions of the discretionary government grant.
Under the conditions and restrictions of discretionary government grants, extra time may be requested for the submission of documents and appendices. The recipients of general grants must submit their reports on the activities supported by a government grant by the deadline. If the financial statements have not been audited, the report may be accompanied by unaudited financial statements signed by the Board of Directors. The audited financial statements must be submitted at a later date as a supplement to the report if they deviate from the ones signed by the Board of Directors.

Government grant recipients must notify the government grant authority without delay of any changes affecting the use of the government grant in accordance with its purpose and any other change affecting its use.
The use of the discretionary government grant must not clash with the purpose, terms and restrictions of the decision on the discretionary government grant.

If the discretionary government grant you have received (or part of it) will not be used because an event had to be cancelled, please contact the officer who presented the discretionary government grant. Return the unused grant (or part of it) as specified under the conditions and limitations in the decision on the discretionary government grant. You do not need to pay interest on the sum you return.

The Ministry of Education and Culture advises all recipients of discretionary government grants to follow official communications and instructions on the coronavirus. 

Inquiries: [email protected] 

Entrepreneurs are temporarily entitled to labour market support to deal with the sudden and unforeseen decline in demand due to the coronavirus epidemic. This solution applies to all entrepreneurs regardless of the type of business. Labour market support may be paid for the period 16 March 2020–31 December 2020.

More information:

Questions and answers on entrepreneurs’ right to unemployment security
Coronavirus: Guidance for businesses