Finland rolls out new anti-COVID recommendations in effort to stop coronavirus spread

Institutions and local authorities have been preparing tirelessly to be able to cope with a return of the disease

At a press conference earlier today, the Finnish government announced the rollout of new recommendations that are meant to limit the spread of COVID-19 across the country’s population.

Acting fast in order to prevent massive lockdowns

Authorities in the Nordic country have observed a steady rise in cases ever since lockdown measures were first eased. In order to stop the spread of the disease, officials have now come forward with a number of new recommendations to citizens and businesses that are meant to keep them all safe and to prevent a return of the country-wide lockdown.

The new guidelines presented at a press conference by PM Sanna Marin, include a recommendation for the wearing of masks in enclosed spaces where social distancing is not physically possible (like public transport) as well as a return of the recommendation for telecommuting of public and private businesses.

In anticipation of these changes, municipalities and institutions across the country have been making their own preparations. The Finnish Social Insurance Institution (Kela) and the Finnish Tax Administration, for example, have been buying up large stockpiles of personal protective equipment that will then be distributed to their employees.

Local governments, meanwhile, have been instructed to provide masks and other types of gear to the most vulnerable of their residents. The money spent on PPE by such authorities will then be reimbursed by the Finnish government, according to Marin.

Alongside these changes and preparations, different regions and cities have been approaching the threat of COVID-19 in different ways. After central authorities allowed for local and regional governments to exercise their own judgement in dealing with local coronavirus hotspots, many cities and towns began devising their own actions plans and implementing their own protective solutions that will, in the end, keep the entire country safe.