The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has proposed implementing a Covid-19 vaccine mandate for employees in the social and healthcare sector.
 The mandate would only apply to those who work closely with patients in high-risk groups. As per the proposal, employees can refuse to take the vaccine if there are valid medical reasons. In such a case, they will need to provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test result.
 The onus of ensuring that healthcare workers do not pose a threat to high-risk patients would fall on the employer.
 8.12 13:43 Avi: Daily complaints about Covid pass checks
 Covid passes at events and establishments across southern Finland are being checked inconsistently, according to the Regional State Administrative Agency (Avi).
 The agency said it receives complaints and notifications, mostly from restaurant customers, that venues, eateries and bars are checking Covid passes very differently, with the documents being checked too closely or inadequately.
 Read more  here .
 8.12 12:05 THL: 60 Covid patients in ICU, 11 new deaths and nearly 1,300 new cases
 Finland recorded 1,296 new lab-confirmed coronavirus infections over the past 24 hours on Wednesday, according to the Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
 Since the start of the epidemic in early 2020, Finland has recorded 197,476 confirmed cases of Covid-19.
 As of Wednesday there were 309 patients receiving hospital treatment for coronavirus-related issues, 60 of whom were in intensive care. Wednesday's overall hospital figure represents an increase of 32 since the previous day.
 THL also reported 11 additional coronavirus-related fatalities on Wednesday, bringing the country's overall Covid death toll to 1,395.
 8.12 10:45 Masks required again on Pirkanmaa public transport
 Authorities in Pirkanmaa have announced that passengers aged 12 and over must wear a mask while travelling on public transport in the region, unless there is a medical reason for not doing so. The mandate is effective from Thursday 9 December.
 A mask mandate came into effect on buses int the city of Tampere from 3 December as infection rates hit record highs this week.
 8.12 9:07 Cases rising in schools
 Yle News' newspaper review on Wednesday found Tampere-based Aamulehti  asking  when remote learning and quarantine measures will return to the city's schools as Covid infections are increasingly being detected in children under the age of 12.
 The coronavirus situation in the region of Pirkanmaa, where Tampere is located, is currently at its worst level since the pandemic began, with daily case numbers  hitting an all-time record high  for the region on Tuesday.
 Read more about this story and others in Wednesday's paper review  here .
 7.12 19:07 Covid group: Situation worsens in Pirkanmaa
 The Covid-19 incidence rate in the region of Pirkanmaa is now the third highest in Finland, according to  Janne Laine , an infectious diseases specialist at Tampere University Hospital (TAYS).
 Laine made the statement during a briefing by the Pirkanmaa coronavirus coordination group on Tuesday afternoon.
 Read more  here .
 7.12 14:16 THL: Finland confirms 2 new omicron cases
 Two new coronavirus infections caused by the variant omicron have been diagnosed in Finland, the Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) announced on Tuesday.
 To date, the new cases bring Finland's number of omicron-caused infections to nine.
 The cases were reported in the Helsinki and Uusimaa hospital district, with both of the infected individuals having recently returned from South Africa and Nigeria.
 The omicron cases announced on Tuesday were not related to an infection chain  reported last week  that caused seven cases, according to THL.
 Blog continues after photo
 Healthcare worker looks through window at a Covid patient in a hospital room. Jaani Lampinen / Yle
 7.12 13:32 Strong signs of tourism revival in Finland's north
 Preliminary statistics indicate that the number of Christmas holiday tourists arriving in Lapland and the Kuusamo region this year is likely to hit pre-Covid levels.
 Sian Porter  arrived from London with her family to spend Christmas in Kuusamo. Being fully vaccinated, travel now is not a matter of concern.
 "We are not afraid of the coronavirus. We are trying to get back to normal, but we are trying to do so safely. You never know," says Porter.
 Read more  here .
 7.12 11:52 Finland reports 1,500+ cases on Tuesday
 Public health authority THL has registered 1,542 new lab-confirmed coronavirus infections on Tuesday, bringing Finland's total number of case since the beginning of the pandemic to 196,180.
 There was also one further death linked to the virus reported in Finland over the 24 hours, THL added, meaning Finland's overall toll now stands at 1,384.
 7.12 11:01 Yle survey: Majority of MPs favour Covid pass for workplaces
 A majority of Members of Finland's Parliament are in favour of allowing employers to request that employees show Covid passes at the workplace,  according to the results of an Yle survey of legislators .
 The main opposition parties, the National Coalition Party (NCP) and the Finns Party, are at polar opposite ends on the issue, with NCP MPs saying that the right of employers to ask for a Covid pass would be a good way to keep businesses operating and employees healthy, but with most Finns Party MPs strongly opposed the possible introduction of the measure.
 6.12 12:44 THL: 3,000+ cases over weekend, 23 deaths
 Public health authority THL has registered 3,412 new lab-confirmed coronavirus cases since Friday, bringing Finland's total number of infections from the pandemic to 194,638.
 There were also 23 further deaths related to the virus over the weekend. Finland's overall toll now stands at 1,383.
 6.12 12:42 Finland celebrates independence despite Covid
 Finland celebrates Independence Day on Monday 6 December, but Covid restrictions will impact festivities for a second consecutive year.
 Read more  here .
 5.12 17:47 Mandatory jabs for healthcare workers?
 Finland is seeing suspected cases of unvaccinated nurses passing coronavirus to patients, which is why lawmakers will soon consider a government bill making Covid jabs mandatory for healthcare workers.
 Studies suggest between five and ten percent of social and health workers in Finland are unvaccinated.
 Read  more .
 5.12 12:37 Push to ban Covid passes proceeds to Parliament
 An initiative opposing Covid passports has surpassed the 50,000 signatures required for Finnish lawmakers to consider the proposal.
 Authors of the initiative argue that the practice of excluding people based on vaccination status contradicts both the Finnish constitution as well as the UN's human rights declaration.
 More  here .
 5.12 11:35 Foreign Minister contracts Covid
 Finnish Foreign Minister  Pekka Haavisto  (Green) has tested positive for Covid, the government said late on Saturday.
 Haavisto, who is asymptomatic, is working remotely.
 More on this story  here .
 4.12 17:00 Centre MP tests positive
 Centre Party MP  Jouni Ovaska  on Saturday tweeted he had tested positive for coronavirus.
 Ovaska, who said he was fully vaccinated, said his symptoms were mild. He was in Parliament on Thursday for a plenary session and joined parliamentary committee meetings earlier in the week.
 Parliament's Administrative Director,  Pertti Rauhio , said fewer than ten people have been exposed so far.
 4.12 11:05 Finland records 7th Omicron case
 Officials on Saturday confirmed seven cases of the Covid-19 Omicron variant in Finland.
 The cases are all part of the same infection cluster, according to the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
 Health officials diagnosed one case in Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District (HUS), four in the southwest Finland hospital district and two in North Savo.
 The infections are connected to a group recently returned from Sweden.
 3.12 16:47 Finland reports first Omicron cases
 Two travellers who had recently returned to Finland from Sweden have tested positive for the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus. At least one of the confirmed cases had received two doses of the vaccine.
 The travellers were part of a group of five people who came to the country by plane. The other three have been tested for the virus, with results expected early next week. Read the full story  here .
 3.12 10:55 New restrictions in Uusimaa
 The Regional Administrative Agency in Uusimaa has announced new restrictions on gatherings. Numbers are to be restricted, unless organisers demand attendees show a Covid pass. Read more  here .
 3.12 9:23 Covid testing funded next year
 The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has cleared up an apparent misunderstanding that had led to a senior official in the Helsinki region stating that Covid testing in 2022 might go unfunded. There's no danger of that, according to the ministry. Read more in today's  paper review .
 2.12 16:19 APN podcast: Behind the curtain of Finland's Covid wards
 Among other topics this week, the All Points North podcast finds out what life is really like for healthcare workers and patients on a Finnish coronavirus ward.
 Read more about this week's show  here .
 You can listen to the full podcast using the embedded player here, via  Yle Areena ,  Spotify ,  Apple Podcasts  or on your usual podcast player using the RSS feed.
 Blog continues after audio
 2.12 14:45 Government outlines extended use of Covid pass
 The government is trying to slow the spread of the virus without fully banning public gatherings, but has an emergency brake if all else fails.
 Tighter restrictions will see a broader adoption of the Covid passport, for example, to group exercise and other recreational facilities. The projected requirement for use of the Covid passport follows the same logic as it does now in restaurants . It is not possible to extend requirements for the use of the Covid passport to essential and statutory services such as grocery stores, pharmacies, healthcare or libraries.
 The impact of the restrictions will be monitored for two weeks, after which health authorities will assess whether to introduce a state of emergency law under exceptional circumstances.
 Read more  here .
 2.12 14:30 Record-breaking 1,622 cases reported on Thursday
 Finland has reported yet another record high number of new cases on Thursday, 1,622. This is according to figures published by The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
 The health agency also recorded 8 more deaths, bringing the total number of fatalities to 1,356 since the beginning of the pandemic.
 2.12 14:08 THL: ICU deaths down, 82% vaccine coverage
 Finland has reached 82 percent vaccination coverage among those over 12 years of age, according to the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
 The incidence rate among children under 12 has increased to 28 percent, THL added. Some 15 percent of all coronavirus infections confirmed in Finland throughout the pandemic have been reported in children under 12 years of age.
 THL estimates that the mortality rate of the some 1,200 patients treated in critical care since the beginning of the pandemic currently stands at 18 percent.
 Read the full summary of THL's weekly Covid briefing  here .
 2.12 9:40 Covid news in the press review
 Today's paper review has news of plans to introduce the Covid pass in workplaces, and a shortfall in funding for Covid testing in 2022. Read more  here .
 1.12 19:00 HUS reports first breakthrough covid case in triple vaccinated person
 According to the hospital district of Helsinki and Uusimaa (HUS), a person who received three doses of the vaccine has been hospitalised for the Covid-19 virus for the first time.  Asko Järvinen , Head of Infectious Diseases at HUS said that the case was "expected."
 "Very few vaccines provide 100 percent protection when the risk of infection is severe," he said. Järvinen also emphasised that the booster shot significantly reduces the chances of severe illness and hospitalisation.
 1.12 18:25 Covid leads to staff shortages in daycares
 Daycare centres in Vantaa have been struggling to cope with a shortage of staff for the past few weeks, after employees have fallen ill with the seasonal flu or Covid-19, leading to a high absence rate. Full story  here .
 1.12 15:48 Specialist defends THL decision to limit boosters
 The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) will continue to focus on providing the third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine to those in risk groups, instead of expanding eligibility to the rest of the population, according to  Mia Kontio , a top vaccine specialist at THL.
 Currently the third dose, also known as a booster shot, is only recommended for people above the age of 60 and those in medical risk groups, who make up roughly 2.5 million people in Finland. Details  here .
 1.12 14:02 Nightclubs reports less disruptive behaviour since adoption of Covid pass
 Disruptive behaviour at restaurants and nightclubs has decreased significantly since the introduction of the Covid pass, say venue owners in Helsinki.
 However, a direct link between the introduction of the Covid pass and the reduction in disruptive behaviour cannot be drawn until more data has been collected, notes the CEO of NoHo Partners. Full story  here .
 1.12 13:55 THL: Over 4 million in Finland have received both doses
 More than four million people in Finland, aged 12 years and older, have received two doses of a coronavirus vaccine, according to the latest figures released on Wednesday by public health authority THL.
 This means that a total 4,002,500 people, or 81.8 percent of the population aged 12 and over, have received both doses.
 Meanwhile more than 273,000 people, or 5.6 percent of the 12 and over population, have received three doses.
 1.12 13:08 No Omicron in 2 suspected cases, 3 more under investigation
 No evidence of the new Omicron coronavirus variant have been found in two suspected cases of the highly-mutated variant, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) said on Wednesday.
 The samples from both suspected cases —  detected in Finland last week  — were genetically sequenced, in order to determine their genetic makeup. One was found to be the Delta variant while the other will be sent for re-testing as the viral value within the sample was too low to provide an accurate determination.
 News agency STT also reported that three further suspected cases are now being investigated.
 You can read more details  here .
 1.12 12:17 THL reports highest-ever daily infections, 13 more deaths
 The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) announced a record high daily total of new coronavirus infections on Wednesday, with 1,570 diagnoses.
 The previous high was last Friday, when 1,406 cases were counted. Over the past weekend, THL registered 3,338 new lab-confirmed infections.
 A total of 188,108 corona infections have been reported in the 22 months since late January 2020.
 The THL also announced 13 more fatalities on Wednesday, bringing the death toll to 1,348.
 1.12 11:48 PM's coronavirus test negative
 Prime Minister  Sanna Marin  (SDP) has tested negative for the coronavirus, her office said on Wednesday.
 A day earlier, it said that Marin was suffering from cold symptoms. As a result she took part in government negotiations on Tuesday evening remotely.
 For the time being, Marin will continue to work remotely from her official residence, Kesäranta, in Helsinki's Meilahti district.
 1.12 11:13 Defence Forces cancel Independence Day parade
 The Finnish Defence Forces have cancelled a planned Independence Day parade in the city of Lahti on 6 December, citing the worsening coronavirus situation.
 Last year's parade, which was scheduled to take place in Pori, was also cancelled because of the pandemic.
 Read more on this story  here .
 1.12 9:04 Papers: Finland set to begin vaccinating kids
 Helsingin Sanomat reports on Wednesday morning that Finland is putting the final preparations to plans to roll out Covid vaccines to children aged between 5 and 11, and that the process may begin as early as Christmas week.
 The National Advisory Committee on Vaccines (Krar) is expected to discuss the issue of vaccinations for children aged 5-11 on Wednesday, but it may still be a few days before a final decision is made by other authorities.
 Read more on this story, and the rest of our Wednesday morning paper review,  here .
 30.11 21:02 Finland works on Covid strategy
 Members of Prime Minister  Sanna Marin 's (SDP) government gathered at the House of Estates in Helsinki on Tuesday afternoon to discuss strategies to improve the country's worsening coronavirus situation, but Marin attended the meeting remotely due to cold symptoms.
 The Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services,  Krista Kiuru  (SDP), said that the government negotiations were carried out in good spirits, and that solutions would be reached.
 Read more  here .
 30.11 15:16 PM Marin switches to remote working, takes Covid test
 Prime Minister  Sanna Marin  (SDP) will not attend Tuesday's meeting of government ministers at the House of the Estates in Helsinki in person, but will instead join remotely.
 A statement from the Prime Minister's office said Marin is suffering from mild cold symptoms and will undergo a Covid test.
 30.11 13:27 No plans to postpone regional election, ministry says
 The worsening coronavirus situation in Finland — further complicated by the  suspected arrival  of the Omicron variant — will not lead to the postponement of the county council election, scheduled for 23 January 2022.
 That's the view of  Arto Jääskeläinen , Director of Electoral Administration at the Ministry of Justice, who said that a repeat of the situation last spring — when the municipal elections were  moved from April to June  as Covid cases escalated — is not being considered.
 Read more  here .
 30.11 12:19 THL: 916 new cases in Finland on Tuesday
 Finland recorded 916 new coronavirus cases over the past day on Tuesday, according to the Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
 The majority of Tuesday's cases (508) were diagnosed in the Helsinki and Uusimaa hospital district, with 205 of those confirmed in the City of Helsinki.
 30.11 9:44 Omicron spread "inevitable", says THL chief
 The spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant in Finland is "inevitable," according to  Mika Salminen , the Director of Health Security at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, but he added that there is no need for people in Finland to panic.
 Read more on this story  here .
 30.11 9:37 Government to meet to discuss new Covid measures
 The Finnish government will meet on Tuesday to discuss new measures to tackle the country's worsening Covid-19 situation and how to prevent the spread of the new Omicron variant.
 The topics of discussion will include an assessment of the current epidemiological situation in the country, vaccination progress and controlling border traffic in light of the new variant.
 Government sources have revealed that while no decisions have been made yet, officials are considering shutting down Finland's borders or reinforcing internal border controls within the Schengen area.
 The government could also make vaccination mandatory for healthcare workers.
 30.11 9:28 Finland lags behind in third vaccine dose
 Finland has reportedly been distributing the third jab of the Covid-19 vaccine much slower than other countries in the EU.
 Around 37 percent of those aged 12 and above have received the third dose in Iceland, while the equivalent figure in Hungary is 25 percent and Malta 21 percent.
 In contrast, as of Monday, only 5 percent received the third jab in Finland. Medical experts have recommended that Finland step up its vaccination pace to prevent waning immunity against the virus.
 Read more  here .
 29.11 18:48 LM: No plans at foreign ministry to repatriate Finns from southern Africa
 The Ministry for Foreign Affairs said, at least at the moment, it is not planning to arrange repatriation flights for Finnish nationals who are in southern Africa, a region which has become a risk area for the new coronavirus variant known as Omicron, consular services director general  Pasi Tuominen  told news group Lännen Media.
 "There has been no discussion about evacuation flights, but we assume that the interruptions to air traffic are temporary," Tuominen said, referring to the recent epidemic-related shutdowns of travel corridors from southern African countries.
 "We are working to help people [in the region] who have indicated a desire to return. However, as flights have been cancelled, our means are limited," he said.
 Most of the people in the region are on trips arranged by travel agencies. According to Tuominen, the tour operators are assisting those individuals.
 Around 150 Finnish nationals file declarations of plans to travel to southern African countries, according to Tuominen, who added there were likely some Finns in other countries that were put on the variant's risk list, including the countries of Namibia and Zimbabwe.
 29.11 18:31 THL: Finland investigating 2 suspected cases of Omicron variant
 The Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) announced on Monday that two suspected cases of the coronavirus variant Omicron were being examined in Finland, adding that both of the cases involved individuals who had arrived in the country from abroad.
 Read more here.
 29.11 11:55 THL: 3,000+ cases over weekend, 26 further deaths
 Public health authority THL has registered 3,338 new lab-confirmed coronavirus infections over the past weekend. The latest figures mean that over 15,000 cases have been diagnosed in Finland over the past two weeks, which is about 4,199 more infections compared to the previous 14-day period.
 THL also registered 26 further deaths linked to the virus since Friday. Finland's overall toll from the pandemic now stands at 1,335.
 As of Monday afternoon, there are 317 people being treated in hospitals across the country for the virus, 51 of whom are in intensive care.
 29.11 9:40 Finland's Omicron worries
 Omicron, the most mutated form of coronavirus detected so far, fuels domestic headlines on Monday. Read about it in this morning's domestic  news round-up .
 28.11 17:50 Finnair crew may face long quarantine in Hong Kong
 The crew of a Finnair flight from Helsinki to Hong Kong were in isolation on Sunday after a pilot on the flight was diagnosed with a Covid-19 infection.
 The three pilots and nine cabin crew members may have to spend several weeks in a state-run quarantine centre. According to Finnair, the incident did not affect passengers. You can read more at  this link .
 28.11 14:53 Almost 80% of entire population fully vaccinated
 Nearly 80 percent of the entire Finnish population, or about four million people, have received two doses of coronavirus vaccine, the national health institute  THL  said on Sunday. The number rose by 4,800 since the day before.
 Among those aged 12 and over, who are currently eligible for vaccination, the percentage is 81.7 percent.
 Meanwhile more than a quarter-million people in risk groups have received a third, booster jab. That number increased from Saturday by 12,800, rising to about five percent of the population.
 Blog continues after photo
 A healthcare worker holds a Covid-19 test swab. Lehtikuva
 28.11 14:27 Cabinet to decide on new entry restrictions; few arrivals from southern Africa
 The government is to decide on Sunday afternoon about entry restrictions for people arriving from southern Africa, Interior Minister  Krista Mikkonen  (Green) said on Twitter.
 Officials have been scrambling to react to Thursday's news of a new, apparently much more infectious variant of Covid-19, first identified in South Africa last week.
 Only a few people have arrived at Helsinki Airport from South Africa in recent days, and they have been asymptomatic,  Timo Aronkytö , Deputy Mayor and Head of Health and Social Services in Vantaa, told the Finnish news agency STT on Sunday morning.
 Test results from those tested on Saturday will be available on Sunday, but according to Aronkytö, the assumption is that the results are negative.
 Details  here .
 28.11 12:47 Second Covid-era Christmas season launched
 This weekend launches the second Covid-era Christmas season in many Finnish towns, with holiday markets and Advent church services.
 The opening is being celebrated on a somewhat muted note amid concerns about record-high levels of coronavirus infections.
 On Sunday Finland's Lutheran and other Western Christian churches celebrate the beginning of Advent, marking the beginning of the pre-Christmas season. It is usually one of the most widely-attended events of the year at the nation's churches.
 In the northern city of Oulu, the opening of the Christmas Street scheduled for Friday in was cancelled due to rising coronavirus infections.
 Full story  here .
 27.11 18:09 HUS head physician: Fully vaccinated should be able to celebrate Christmas normally
 Asko Järvinen, head of infectious diseases at Finland's largest health care provider, says that while the new Omicron variant causes uncertainty, most people should be able to gather for the holidays as usual.
 "Omicron is causing a small amount of uncertainty, but at the moment it seems that Christmas may be completely normal," he said on Yle TV1's Ykkösaamu current affairs programme on Saturday morning.
 Full story  here .
 27.11 14:05 Ministries: Test arrivals from countries where Omicron variant has been found, avoid travel to southern Africa
 The Foreign Ministry has urged Finns to avoid all travel to southern Africa, while the health ministry recommends testing and quarantines for arrivals from regions affected by the new Omicron variant.
 You can read more  here .
 27.11 12:10 Arrivals from southern Africa to be tested and quarantined due to Omicron variant
 Helsinki Airport is tightening its health and safety precautions due to a new Covid variant first identified in South Africa, according to  Timo Aronkytö , Deputy Mayor of Vantaa, where the airport is located. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called it a variant "of concern" and named it Omicron.
 In a tweet on Saturday morning, Aronkytö said that everyone arriving from southern Africa will be directed to mandatory inspection, Covid testing and quarantine.
 "Planes arriving from Munich and Frankfurt will be checked," Aronkytö wrote.
 Details  here .
 26.11 19:27 No ban on flights from southern Africa
 Public health authority THL has recommended that people in Finland avoid traveling to southern Africa because of a  new coronavirus variant  that is believed to be highly contagious.
 The European Commission plans to propose the suspension of air travel from southern Africa, according to media reports, but authorities in Finland have so far made no decision on passengers arriving from the region.
 More on this story  here .
 26.11 17:48 VR to request Covid pass in restaurant car
 Finland's national rail carrier VR has announced that passengers will be asked to show a Covid pass in order to be served in the restaurant carriage of trains.
 The new measure will come into effect from Sunday, 28 November.
 Read more  here .
 26.11 13:13 Experts worried by variant found in southern Africa
 Finnish specialists say they are "worried" about the emergence of a new coronavirus variant with an unusually high number of mutations first detected in southern Africa.
 Full story  here .
 26.11 13:02 Restaurant restrictions tighten
 Finland has confirmed new restrictions on restaurants, in an effort to slow the spread of Covid. Read more  here .
 26.11 12:38 Daily cases hit new record high
 Public health authority THL has registered 1,406 lab-confirmed coronavirus infections on Friday, a new record high number of daily cases. The previous record high, 1,344 infections, was recorded just 24 hours previously on Thursday.
 THL further reported on Friday that there are currently 336 patients being treated in hospitals for the virus, an increase of 30 from Thursday. Some 44 patients are being treated in intensive care units. There have also been seven further deaths linked to the virus over the past 24 hours, bringing Finland's overall toll from the pandemic to 1,309.
 26.11 9:40 Vaccination coverage low among foreign population
 Our paper review looks at rates of Covid vaccine coverage among foreign-language speakers in Finland. They're well below the overall figure, for several reasons. Read more  here .
 25.11 17:45 Uusimaa reintroduces face mask, remote work recommendations
 The Helsinki metropolitan area coronavirus coordination group has now re-issued its recommendations regarding the use of face masks and remote working for the entire region of Uusimaa.
 All people above the age of 12 are instructed to wear a face mask in public spaces such as when in shops and transport, regardless of their vaccination status. The recommendations will be valid over the winter holidays, at least until January 16, 2022.
 25.11 15:28 Finland tightens restrictions, reveals new vaccine strategy
 Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services  Krista Kiuru  (SDP) on Thursday announced the extension of the Communicable Disease Act into June 2022 as well as updated restrictions on the operations and opening hours of bars and restaurants.
 According to the updated measures, bars and restaurants that do not require customers to show a Covid pass must stop serving at 5pm and close their doors at 6pm. In order to operate without restrictions, staff must ask for the Covid pass at all times.
 The minister also revealed that the government is preparing a new vaccination strategy which will see vaccines rolled out to children aged between 5 and 11, and booster doses offered to people under the age of 60.
 Read more on this story  here .
 25.11 15:05 President cancels Independence Day gala
 This year's Independence Day gala, which was set to take place with a limited number of guests at Helsinki's Presidential Palace on 6 December, has been cancelled.
 According to a  press release  from the President's Office, the event has been called off due to the worsening Covid-19 situation in the country.
 More details  here .
 25.11 14:20 THL: Unvaccinated patients overwhelming hospitals
 The rapidly rising number of coronavirus infections, especially among unvaccinated individuals, is placing an increasing burden on hospital wards and intensive care units, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare THL said on Thursday.
 At the end of last week, there were a total of 156 patients being treated in hospitals across Finland for the virus. As of Thursday afternoon, that figure stands at 306.
 According to the figures released by THL on Thursday, the number of unjabbed patients is three or four times higher across all age groups except those over 30 years of age.
 "The number of unvaccinated people in both hospital and intensive care is much higher than that of people who have been vaccinated twice,"  Mia Kontio  of THL told the Thursday morning briefing.
 Read more  here .
 25.11 13:25 Vaccination rates rising among minority language groups
 While Covid-19 vaccination rates among language minorities in Finland remained low over the summer, there has been a 40 percent increase in vaccination coverage in all language groups since then, according to the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
 According to  Maria Kontio , Chief Specialist at THL, the vaccination coverage for foreign language speakers in Finland currently stands at 56 percent.
 25.11 12:13 THL: Finland sees new daily cases record high
 Finland has reported 1,344 new Covid cases on Thursday, the highest number of infections reported over any 24-hour period since the beginning of the pandemic. This is according to the Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
 Most of the cases, nearly 500, were detected in the Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District (HUS).
 25.11 10:10 Nordea withdraws vaccine-critical analysis report
 Financial group Nordea has launched an internal investigation into a controversial investment analysis that was accused of blatantly promoting anti-vaccine views, according to a report on Thursday morning by Iltalehti.
 The analysis, which was published on the bank's website on Sunday, reportedly criticised Covid-19 restrictions which "imprison the unvaccinated" and claimed that vaccines increase the risk of infections, rather than fighting them.
 Read more on this story, and the rest of our Thursday morning paper review,  here .
 24.11 19:30 Events industry calls for Covid pass at all venues
 With coronavirus infection rates rising, organisers of cultural events are once again worried about how to survive.
 The events industry says that current patchwork coronavirus restrictions by regional authorities are confusing, and that the Covid pass should be quickly introduced throughout the country.
 According to  Maria Sahlstedt , director of communications at the Event Industry Association, there is strong support for requiring the Covid pass (officially the EU Digital Covid Certificate) at all public events throughout the sector.
 You can read more  here .
 24.11 14:27 Think tank: Forestry, car batteries key to Covid recovery
 The forest products industry, car batteries and other electrical and electronic industries are pulling Finland out of the coronavirus crisis, according to Etla Economic Research (previously the Research Institute of the Finnish Economy).
 Etla's industrial review indicates that numerous industries are now on a growth trajectory. The institute estimates that exports in the forest products industry will increase by about 15 percent this year, with paper exports up by 10 percent.
 Read more on this story  here .
 24.11 14:06 THL records 39 deaths on Wednesday, includes delayed reports
 Public health authority THL registered 39 Covid-related deaths on Wednesday. This is the highest number of deaths reported over any 24-hour period since the beginning of the pandemic, but the authority explained that Wednesday's toll includes delayed reports from October and earlier in November.
 Finland's overall death toll from the pandemic now stands at 1,302.
 There are currently just over 300 people being treated in hospital for the virus, a drop of about 20 patients since Monday. Forty-two patients are receiving intensive care treatment.
 The authority also reported that about 3,000 people have received their second dose of the vaccine over the past 24 hours, while a first dose has been administered to 1,600 people over the same period.
 Just over 81 percent of the population aged 12 and over have received two doses of vaccine, while 86.4 percent have received at least one. Four percent have been administered third booster jabs.
 24.11 13:13 Cabinet to consider new restrictions next week
 Finland's government will discuss the possible introduction of more restrictions aimed at curbing the recent uptick in Covid infections at a ministerial meeting early next week, Prime Minister  Sanna Marin  (SDP) said on Wednesday.
 "The coronavirus situation is worrying," Marin said. "It is now more important than ever that everyone gets the vaccines available to them."
 Full story  here .
 23.11 17:25 Mask, distance working recommendations reinstated across Helsinki region
 Due to the worsening epidemic situation, on Tuesday the Helsinki metropolitan area coronavirus coordination group announced it had tightened recommendations regarding people's use of face masks in public places, regardless of their vaccination status.
 Read more here.
 23.11 15:47 Telecommuting recommendations re-issued in Southwest Finland, Pirkanmaa
 The coronavirus coordination group of Southwest Finland has reinstated recommendations for people across the region to work remotely, if possible.
 The guidance is not mandatory but a strong recommendation, according to a statement by the group.
 According to the group, the epidemic situation has deteriorated at such a rapid pace that new methods of preventing the spread of Covid need to be taken.
 In October, the Finnish government lifted nationwide telecommuting recommendations while simultaneously handing over the responsibility of issuing such guidance to local authorities.
 The Southwest Finland coordination group also issued a strong recommendation for everyone — including fully-vaccinated individuals — to wear face masks in all situations where it is not possible to maintain safe distances from others, both indoors and outdoors.
 A coronavirus coordination group in Pirkanmaa has also issued similar recommendations.
 23.11 12:50 THL: Finland records 1,088 new cases, 5 deaths on Tuesday
 There were 1,088 new lab-confirmed coronavirus cases diagnosed across Finland over the past day on Tuesday, according to the Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
 The largest proportion of cases (403) were seen in the Helsinki and Uusimaa hospital district.
 Meanwhile, THL reported on Tuesday there were five new Covid-related fatalities in the country. While the agency does not issue reports on such deaths on a daily basis, THL reported on Monday that the country recorded nine deaths over the weekend.
 As of Tuesday, Finland's overall Covid death toll stood at 1,263, according to THL.
 23.11 09:37 Covid hospitalisations reach all-time high
 According to the latest data from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), hospitals in Finland had more Covid-19 patients than ever before on Monday.
 As of Monday, 322 people had been hospitalised after contracting the virus, compared to 284 a week ago and 255 the week before that. The Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa (HUS) has had to increase its ICU units from 15 to 21 to accommodate the growing number of Covid-19 patients requiring critical care.
 Hospitals are also facing an additional burden from patients falling ill from other viruses, namely, the seasonal flu and the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
 Read more on this story  here .
 22.11 13:28 Covid cases overburdening Helsinki's health centres
 With a  fifth wave of the pandemic  gaining pace in Finland, health centres in the capital are struggling to clear backlogs, according to  Timo Lukkarinen , medical director at the City of Helsinki.
 Helsinki's health centres operate a callback service. Lukkarinen told Yle the capital's 23 public clinics can receive up to 2,000 calls per week that staff don't have time to respond to, despite the fact that the law stipulates that nurses should evaluate next steps for callers within 36 hours.
 Read more on this story  here .
 22.11 12:15 Hospital figures hit record high
 Public health authority THL announced on Monday that 2,616 new lab-confirmed coronavirus infections were diagnosed in Finland over the weekend. This brings Finland's overall total since the beginning of the pandemic to 177,439.
 The authority also reported nine further deaths linked to the virus over the weekend. Finland's overall toll now stands at 1,258.
 As of Monday afternoon, there are 322 people being treated in hospitals across the country for the virus - an increase of 45 patients from Friday - and is the highest number of hospital patients than at any other point in the pandemic. Some 43 patients are being treated in intensive care units.
 22.11 9:32 Papers: Finland's anti-vaxx problem
 It's only a matter of time before every person in Finland is exposed to coronavirus, according to vaccine specialist  Mika Rämet .
 Ilta-Sanomat  reports him saying that the current vaccination coverage will land 30,000 people in the hospital over the next year.
 Read more on this story, and the rest of our Monday morning paper review,  here .
 21.11 15:40 Fifth Covid wave hitting Finland
 Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District's (HUS) Chief Physician,  Asko Järvinen , told Ilta-Sanomat on Sunday that Finland will need new restrictions to protect those unvaccinated against coronavirus.
 Finland has recorded around 1,000 daily cases over the past week, causing a fifth wave of the pandemic to gain pace in the country, according to Järvinen.
 More on this story  here .
 21.11 11:25 Demonstrators protest coronavirus measures
 Some 1,500 people gathered in downtown Helsinki on Saturday to protest efforts to curb the virus.
 More  here .
 19.11 12:15 Finland reports 1,191 cases on Friday
 Public health authority THL has recorded 1,191 new lab-confirmed coronavirus cases on Friday.
 This figure is just short of the 1,259 cases registered on Thursday -- which was the highest daily case count in the pandemic so far -- and means that Finland has recorded 11,800 cases over the past two weeks. This is 3,400 more infections that the previous 14-day period.
 19.11 10:28 THL recommends boosters for healthcare staff
 Finland's National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) is recommending that anyone taking care of people at risk of a serious Covid infection should get a third dose of Covid vaccine.
 In addition, THL says that local authorities should consider giving booster shots to other care staff to try and ensure services can withstand high demand this winter.
 Read more  here .
 19.11 8:55 Covid uptick in winter
 Covid cases are set to increase during the winter, but some experts remain optimistic about the spring as Covid goes from pandemic to endemic. Read more in our  paper review .
 18.11. 14:25 Uusimaa authorities place restrictions on indoor events, large gatherings
 The Regional State Administrative Agency of Southern Finland (Avi) has announced the reintroduction of restrictions on public events in the Uusimaa region, specifically in so-called 'high-risk' indoor arenas, such as live music venues, that require audiences to stand.
 Read more  here.
 18.11. 12:42 THL: Unvaccinated people 33 times more likely to need ICU treatment
 Unvaccinated individuals are 33 times more likely to require intensive care unit (ICU) treatment than double-jabbed people, and 19 times more likely to need hospital care, according to figures released on Thursday by public health authority THL.
 Read more  here.
 18.11 12:10 THL registers record high number of daily cases
 Public health authority THL has registered 1,259 new lab-confirmed coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours. This is the highest number of daily cases reported throughout the entire Covid epidemic.
 Finland's overall total number of infections since the beginning of the epidemic now stands at 173,632.
 The authority also reported 10 further deaths linked to the virus since yesterday, bringing Finland's toll from the virus to 1,246.
 There are also currently 299 people receiving hospital care for the virus, of whom 38 are in IC units.
 17.11 19:08 Top doc calls for mandatory vaccination order
 The City of Vaasa's Chief Physician  Heikki Kaukoranta  has called on authorities to introduce mandatory vaccination for every resident in Finland aged 12 years and above.
 Kaukoranta told Yle he is concerned about the rapidly increasing number of infections across the country, saying a compulsory vaccination order would be the solution.
 Read more  here .
 17.11 16:59 President plans downsized Independence Day gala
 Due to the Covid situation, invitations to this year's Independence Day gala at Helsinki's Presidential Palace on 6 December will be limited to 200 guests, President  Sauli Niinistö  announced on Wednesday.
 Under normal circumstances, the Finnish president and his or her spouse greet up to 2,000 guests at the annual gala, but last year the event was  called off entirely  due to the coronavirus epidemic.
 Read more on this story  here .
 17.11 16:48 Covid pass required for entry to Tampere Hall
 Tampere Hall announced on Wednesday that people attending events at the venue will be asked to show a Covid pass in order to gain entry, effective immediately.
 The venue said that the reason for the change in requirements is that the lobby areas of the hall are classified as restaurant space and therefore the need for the pass must apply to the entire building.
 "There was really no other option," Tampere Hall CEO  Pauliina Ahokas  told Yle, adding that the matter was reviewed from the perspective of customers, restaurant operators and event organisers.
 17.11 13:58 THL: New cases continue to rise
 Over the past two weeks, Finland recorded around 11,000 new lab-confirmed coronavirus cases, which is approximately 3,100 more than during the previous two-week period, the Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) reported.
 The agency also reported on Wednesday there were 1,151 new coronavirus cases diagnosed over the past day.
 Meanwhile, there are increasing numbers of people requiring hospital care for coronavirus-related illness, with 299 such patients in hospitals across the country, 38 of whom in intensive care, as of Wednesday. Those figures reflect increases of six more people in hospital and two in ICU since Monday.
 THL also reported three new Covid-related fatalities, bringing the country's overall death toll to 1,236 as of Wednesday.
 17.11 13:53 Chief docs: Finland in no hurry to roll out vaccine boosters
 Finland is in no hurry to broadly roll out third Covid vaccine booster shots, as two jabs already protects the majority of the population from severe complications caused by the virus.
 That's the opinion of chief physician  Hanna Nohynek  from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), and  Sally Leskinen , the chief medical officer at the Kanta-Häme hospital district.
 Read more  here .
 17.11 10:11 Paper: HUS transfers ICU patients due to overload
 The hospital district of Helsinki and Uusimaa (HUS) has begun transferring Covid-19 patients requiring critical care to other parts of Finland due to a lack of capacity, according to newspaper Helsingin Sanomat
 HUS is currently setting up six intensive care units in addition to its existing 15 to keep up with the growing demand.
 Read more about this and other stories in Wednesday's newspaper review.
 16.11 17:04 Uusimaa to restrict indoor gatherings
 Uusimaa is to see new restrictions on gatherings announced on Thursday and in force a week later, as the region centred on Helsinki struggles to deal with an upsurge in Covid cases.
 Read more  here .
 16.11 12:04 THL: 937 new cases on Tuesday
 The Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) reported there were 937 new lab-confirmed Covid cases diagnosed over the past day in Finland on Tuesday, according to news service STT.
 Over the past two weeks there were nearly 10,900 new Covid cases detected, which is more than 3,100 more cases than the previous two-week period, according to the health authority.
 There were an additional three new Covid-related fatalities recorded in Finland, bringing the country's overall epidemic death toll to 1,233. On Monday THL reported 14 deaths caused by the disease.
 16.11 9:22 Covid cases surge among kids
 Today's paper review looks at the prospects of requiring employees to have a Covid pass, increased infection rates among children, and a call for tighter restrictions to try and slow down the epidemic. Read more  here .
 15.11 18:30 Yle: Finland raising restrictions
 The Regional State Administrative Agency of Southwest Finland (Avi) has ordered new coronavirus-related restrictions, capping the number of participants permitted to attend meetings and public events at 50 people.
 The new rules go into effect on Tuesday 16 November and will be in place for one month.
 However, the new restrictions will not apply to events and establishments that use the Covid pass, according to Avi's  Heikki Mäki .
 Avi made the decision based on guidance from the social affairs and health ministry as well as a local expert assessment in the hospital district of Southwest Finland.
 "Despite well-advanced Covid vaccinations, the situation is currently very critical and the decision was deemed to be necessary, Mäki said, who added he has already been in contact with organisers of large events on Monday morning and that he had received positive feedback about the decision.
 Government talks restaurant restrictions on Monday evening
 According to Yle information, the Finnish government is holding an extraordinary meeting on Monday evening to decide on whether to extend coronavirus-related restrictions on restaurants and bars.
 The government will not be tightening current restrictions, but rather expand them in four new areas, including Northern Ostrobothnia, Pirkanmaa, Kanta-Häme and the Länsi-Pohja hospital district.
 Restrictions are already in place in Southern and Central Ostrobothnia, Kymenlaakso, Ostrobothnia, Päijät-Häme, Satakunta, Uusimaa as well as Southwest Finland.
 However, establishments that use the Covid pass will be able to circumvent the restrictions.
 The eventual restrictions decided on Monday are to take effect on Wednesday.
 Prime Minister  Sanna Marin  (SDP) has characterised Finland's current epidemic situation as being serious and the Minister for Family and Basic Services  Krista Kiuru  (SDP) has called for increased restrictions aimed at people who are not vaccinated against Covid.
 15.11 13:42 Pirkanmaa region sees record single-day positive tests
 The Pirkanmaa hospital district reported a record 158 persons tested positive for the coronavirus on Sunday, surpassing the previous single-day high of 106 on 6 August 2021. As of Monday, the incidence rate for the latest 14 day period in the region was at 185.5 per 100,000 residents according to the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare THL.
 15.11 12:13 THL: Finland sees 3,166 new cases since Thursday
 The Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) reported on Monday that Finland recorded 3,166 new lab-confirmed coronavirus cases since Thursday.
 The agency normally issues updates on new coronavirus cases on weekdays but due to a technical problem did not issue the update on Friday, a situation that caused Monday's figure to be unusually high.
 The largest number of cases recorded during that period (1,298) were seen in the Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District.
 Meanwhile, hospitals across Finland were treating 293 patients for Covid-related illness, 36 of whom were in intensive care, as of Monday.
 The health agency also reported 14 new coronavirus-related fatalities since Friday.
 15.11. 9:27 MPs to weigh workplace Covid passports
 A citizens' initiative opposing the introduction of Covid passports in workplaces has gathered the required 50,000 signatures needed to be taken up by Parliament.
 You can read more in Monday morning's Finnish  press roundup .
 14.11. 15:37 80.5% fully vaccinated
 Finland's Covid vaccination coverage is slowly climbing.
 The Finnish institute for health and welfare (THL) on Sunday said 80.5 percent of residents over the age of 12 were double jabbed. Some 86.2 percent of those eligible for the vaccine had received one shot by Sunday.
 12.11. 16:32 Helsinki authorities mull reintroduction of event restrictions
 The Regional State Administrative Agency for Southern Finland (Avi) announced on Friday that it is considering tightening restrictions on events in the Uusimaa region, following recommendations from the Metropolitan Area coronavirus coordination group.
 The coordination group has suggested limiting the number of attendees at indoor concerts to at least 50 percent of the normal capacity. It also recommends imposing stricter restrictions on events at indoor sports stadiums.
 12.11. 14:29 Minister Kiuru confirms Covid exposure
 Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services  Krista Kiuru  (SDP) has announced via a  tweet  on Friday afternoon that she has been exposed to a Covid-infected person and will work remotely until further notice.
 "I have been exposed to the coronavirus. Despite being fully vaccinated, I will work remotely as a precautionary measure,," Kiuru wrote.
 12.11. 14:03 Tampere prepares for introduction of Covid pass
 The City of Tampere is making preparations for libraries, museums and sports facilities in the city to begin asking customers for a Covid pass. The possible introduction of the pass will be discussed at a meeting of the city's board on Monday 15 November.
 Use of the Covid pass in the city could be adopted if authorities decide to impose restrictions on public gatherings or limit how many people can be in a certain place -- such as a gym or restaurant -- at the same time.
 12.11. 9:38 Third shots reach 2%
 Friday morning's newspaper roundup explores Finland's Covid booster shot rollout, among other topics.
 Some 2.4 percent of double-jabbed individuals have so far received a third dose offered six months after their second shot.
 Read more  here .
 11.11 17:01 EU: Finnish economy covered from crisis in mid-2021
 The European Commission has raised its prognosis for Finland's economic growth. On Thursday the Commission forecast GDP growth of 3.4 percent in Finland this year, up from its previous estimate of 2.7 percent.
 According to the Commission, economic activity in Finland recovered to pre-pandemic levels in the middle of this year.
 Read more  here .
 11.11 13:00 THL urges caution as festive season approaches
 Finland's Covid situation looks to be getting worse, with increasing case counts, higher test positivity and greater strain on hospitals and healthcare providers — just as the run-up to Christmas prompts greater social mixing and therefore possible exposures to Covid.
 That's according to the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) and the Ministry for Social Affairs and Health at their weekly Covid briefing.
 Full story  here .
 11.11 11:11 Hospitality group decries extension of restrictions
 The government decided late Wednesday to extend current restaurant restrictions, a move which the Finnish Hospitality Association MaRa condemned as "unnecessary" and "unreasonable".
 Restrictions were originally scheduled to expire on Monday.
 More details  here .
 11.11 9:47 No 'emergency brake'
 On Wednesday evening government ministers agreed not to bring in special rules to take back powers from regional agencies. Read more in our paper review  here .
 10.11 19:00 Pandemic worsens in Kemi-Tornio, Kymenlaakso
 Health officials in southwest Lapland declared on Wednesday that the Covid situation in the Länsi-Pohja healthcare district has worsened, re-entering the community transmission phase.
 Also on Wednesday, officials said the situation had weakened in the Kymenlaakso region of southeast Finland, where nine patients are receiving hospital treatment for Covid. The largest numbers of new cases are in the cities of Kouvola and Kotka.
 More details  here .
 10.11 14:06 HUS boss calls for clearer decision-making
 The Acting Managing Director of the Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District (HUS),  Markku Mäkijärvi , said the government needs to clarify how it makes decisions about Covid-related restrictions.
 "I would like to see more clarity about the roles and responsibilities of ministries and regional decision-makers," he told Yle TV1's breakfast show on Wednesday.
 He made the comments a day after the hospital district announced that it was raising its preparedness levels in order to deal with increasing numbers of Covid patients needing hospital care.
 You can read more  here .
 10.11 13:08 80% vaccination coverage among 12-and-overs
 The Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) announced on Wednesday that Finland has finally achieved 80 percent double-dose vaccination coverage for those aged 12 years and over. The figure had remained at 79.9 percent since Sunday.
 In total, more than eight million doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in Finland since December 2020. More than 85 percent of those aged 12 and over have received at least their first dose.
 All age groups over 45 in have more than 80 percent vaccination coverage for the second dose.
 “Recently we have seen that vaccination coverage of young people has risen encouragingly. Indeed, those aged 16-24 have exceeded 80 percent vaccination coverage for the first dose,” said  Mia Kontio , a chief specialist at THL.
 A third booster vaccine is currently being offered to those in risk groups, with 2.3 percent of the population aged 12 and over have received three jabs.
 9.11 18:27 Some restaurants use Covid pass only when it suits them, THL boss says
 The Institute for Health and Welfare's (THL) health security director,  Mika Salminen , has said he is dissatisfied with how several restaurants and bars have selectively used the Covid pass.
 A Covid pass is a certificate which states whether the holder has been fully vaccinated, has recovered from the virus, or has recently tested negative. Customer-facing businesses like restaurants and gyms can require people to show their Covid status in order to bypass epidemic-related restrictions, which can limit things like opening and alcohol sale hours as well as cap the number of customers permitted inside.
 However, Salminen said that some establishments operate under the restriction rules during weekdays and then only require customers to show Covid passes on the weekends.
 Read more here.
 9.11 12:53 THL: Finland records 9 new Covid deaths on Tuesday
 The Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) reported nine new Covid-related fatalities on Tuesday, bringing the country' epidemic death toll to 1,209.
 9.11 12:52 Government to discuss worsening epidemic situation on Wednesday
 Prime Minister  Sanna Marin 's (SDP) government is scheduled to meet on Wednesday to discuss the Covid situation. According to information obtained by Yle, the coalition government members plan to gather at the Helsinki House of Estates at 4pm.
 The government has faced increased pressure to align its strategies and plans as new cases as well as Covid-related hospitalisations continue to rise. The disease is particularly prevalent among unvaccinated individuals.
 At the beginning of September, the government approved a new Covid strategy. According to the new plan, the dismantling of epidemic-related restrictions hinges on at least 80 percent of the population being fully vaccinated against the disease.
 9.11 12:13 Finland sees 810 new cases on Tuesday
 Finland recorded 810 new lab-confirmed coronavirus cases over the past day on Tuesday, according to the Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), bringing the country's total confirmed Covid case count to more than 165,300.
 The highest number of new cases, 392, were diagnosed in the Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District, while the second-highest number of cases, 85, was seen in the hospital district of Pirkanmaa.
 9.11 8:38 HS: The carrot or the stick?
 Helsingin Sanomat wonders on Tuesday morning if we may find ourselves in a world where a compulsory vaccination is required in some sectors, a strict Covid "passport" is implemented, or even lockdowns imposed on the unvaccinated.
 Mika Salminen , Director of Health Security at the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), stressed to the paper that he hopes that there will not a polarisation of society.
 "We know that coercion will not solve the problem of the slowdown in vaccination uptake, but may even lead to a worsening of attitudes," said Salminen.
 "Carrots are always a better option. The starting point must be to share the right information and make it understandable," he added.
 Read more on this story, and the rest of our Tuesday morning paper review,  here .
 8.11 19:08 Study: Covid most contagious at +10 degrees
 When coronavirus first appeared, it was not thought that meteorological or temperature differences had a major effect on the virus' ability to spread.
 However, a newly-published international study has shown that the weather can affect infection rates in several ways. But it also found little evidence that meteorological conditions particularly influenced local spreads of Covid-19, concluding that people's behaviour and government interventions had a larger impact on infection rates.
 Read more  here .
 8.11 14:34 Hospitalised patient numbers rise again
 The number of people requiring hospital care for coronavirus-related illnesses has increased, according to the Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
 As of Monday, there were a total of 256 people receiving hospital treatment for Covid-19 across Finland, which is 15 more than there were on Friday. Meanwhile, 34 of those patients were being treated in intensive care units.
 Finland reported there were 16 new Covid-related fatalities, bringing the virus' overall death toll to 1,200.
 8.11 14:26 THL: Finland sees 2,000 new cases over the weekend
 Finnish health authorities on Monday reported 2,016 new lab-confirmed coronavirus infections in the country since Friday, according to the Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
 Regionally, the most cases over the weekend (832) were seen in the Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District.
 As of Monday, Finland has recorded a total of 164,492 confirmed Covid-19 cases since the beginning of the epidemic.
 8.11 9:01 HS: Telecommuting troubles
 Many people in Finland have had to switch to working from home, or telecommuting, during the coronavirus pandemic - and Helsingin Sanomat reports that this can have both advantages and disadvantages for the telecommuter and their family.
 One reader said they had suffered from loneliness and anxiety caused by the situation for almost two years. "Does my spouse's employer have the right to take my own home from me and turn it into an office?"
 Read more on this story, and the rest of our Monday morning paper review,  here .
 7.11 13:22 Full vaccination rate to hit 80% on Monday
 Finland is set to reach the 80 percent target for full vaccinations among those aged 12 and over on Monday, more than a week after the government's target date. On Sunday the figure rose to  79.9 percent . Meanwhile 86 percent have received at least one jab, and just over two percent have gotten third booster shots.
 Just over 70 percent of the whole population are now fully inoculated. The National Advisory Committee on Vaccines (Krar) is expected to issue its opinion on extending vaccinations to children aged 5-11 in late November or early December.
 7.11 13:08 Pandemic-hit zoo may return pandas to China
 Ähtäri Zoo in western Finland faces financial trouble due to last year's drop in visitors due to coronavirus restrictions, and says it only received a fraction of promised state pandemic support. As a result, the local mayor says it may have to give up its star attractions, two giant pandas whose upkeep costs a million euros annually.
 You can read more  here .
 6.11 17:30 Most Finns say restaurant and events sectors hardest hit
 Most people in Finland think that the restaurant and events industries have suffered the most from the pandemic, according to a  survey  published by the Foundation for Municipal Development on Saturday.
 Nine out of 10 respondents said that those working in the restaurant, culture, arts and event sectors, as well as entrepreneurs in the tourism sector, have suffered quite a lot or very much from the crisis.
 6.11 17:20 Vaccination rate remains below 80%
 The share of the population aged 12 and over who are fully vaccinated has still not quite reached the target of 80 percent, which the government had hoped for by the end of October. As of Saturday afternoon, the figure stood at 79.7 percent, while nearly 86 percent had received at least one shot. Just over two percent have received a third booster shot.
 As of Friday there were just over 200 patients in hospital, with 29 in intensive care. That number has remained below 40 since April. The death toll rose by eight to 1,184.
 5.11 9:20 IS: Vaccination take-up varies by profession
 As Finland approaches the  target of a coronavirus vaccination rate of 80 percent  of those aged 12 and over, tabloid Ilta-Sanomat looks at a study showing large variation in rates according to profession.
 The report by the Helsinki Graduate School of Economics (GSE) compared vaccine coverage between employees in different industries.
 It found, for example, about a quarter of those working in the construction sector have not been vaccinated, while only seven percent of those working in the financial and insurance sectors have not yet had a jab.
 Read more on this story, and the rest of our Friday morning paper review,  here .
 4.11 15:22 Students increasingly need mental health services
 The coronavirus pandemic continues to take a heavy toll on the mental well-being of students even after a return to Finland's university campuses.
 Demand among university students for mental health services this autumn has been higher than total annual levels in the past, according to the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS).
 Read more on this story  here .
 4.11 12:43 Decision to vaccinate children 5-11 still open
 Health authorities have not yet made a decision on whether or not children 5-11 years of age are to be included in Finland's coronavirus vaccination programme.
 THL's National Vaccine Expert Group is currently preparing a report on the subject, which is expected to be completed by the turn of November-December. THL will then make a recommendation for or against vaccination to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. A final decision will be made by the government.
 3.11 15:53 More Covid patients in Finland's hospitals
 The Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) reported on Wednesday that the number of people receiving hospital treatment for Covid in Finland increased over the past day by 12 to 238 patients, 32 of whom are in intensive care units.
 THL also reported six additional Covid-related fatalities, bringing the country's epidemic death toll to 1,776.
 Meanwhile, the health agency reported 890 new Covid cases — along with 260 previously unreported cases — over the past day on Wednesday. THL initially reported there were 1,150 cases over the past day, but later clarified the figures.
 2.11 12:18 Finland sees 807 new cases, 3 deaths on Tuesday
 There were on Tuesday 807 new lab-confirmed cases of Covid-19 registered in Finland over the past 24 hours, the Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) reported. The country has logged a total of nearly 160,000 coronavirus infections since the beginning of the epidemic.
 Most of Tuesday's cases (365) were diagnosed in the Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District and the second-most (73) were seen in the hospital district of Pirkanmaa.
 THL also reported on Tuesday there were three additional Covid-related fatalities in Finland over the past day.
 2.11 10:18 Minister: Use of Covid pass could be expanded
 Finland's Ministry of Family Affairs and Social Services is currently investigating whether use of the Covid pass could be extended, for example in regions where there are no restrictions, according to a statement by Minister  Krista Kiuru  (SDP).
 "A legal assessment will resolve the issue. Then we will find out what the possibilities are in that regard," Kiuru said.
 Currently the Covid pass is used only as an alternative to restrictions, such as how many people can attend a public event or be in a restaurant at the same time.
 1.11 13:46 Demand grows for deworming medicine in Finland
 The pandemic has increased demand in Finland for ivermectin, a trend also witnessed in other parts of the world, despite research showing no significant impact of the anti-parasitic drug on treating Covid.
 Some ivermectin studies have even been downright fraudulent, according to  The Guardian .
 Ivermectin has been used to cure animals and people from worms and lice since the 1980s. Finnish pharmacies sell the drug under the brand name Stromectol, produced by US drug maker Merck.
 Read more on this story  here .
 1.11 12:12 Finland reports over 1,400 cases, 12 further deaths since Friday
 Public health authority THL has reported a total of 1,460 new lab-confirmed coronavirus cases since Friday, bringing Finland's total number of infections since the beginning of the pandemic to 158,991.
 The authority also registered 12 further deaths linked to the virus since Friday. Finland's death toll now stands at 1,170.
 30.10 15:09 THL preparing draft recommendation on vaccinating kids
 Hanna Nohynek , chief physician with public health agency THL, said on Saturday that the agency is currently working on a draft recommendation for Finland to begin vaccinating children aged between 5 and 11 years old against the Covid virus.
 The move comes after a panel of experts from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration FDA said the benefits of jabbing children with the Pfizer vaccine outweigh any other health risks.
 Currently Finland has vaccinated just under 70 percent of the entire population of the country, while 75 percent have received at least one dose.
 29.10 18:15 THL wants Covid pass for care staff
 THL wants to bring in Covid pass rules for staff in care homes, to try and raise the vaccine coverage rate among healthcare staff. At present some 80 percent of healthcare staff in Finland are fully vaccinated. Read our story  here .
 29.10 11:12 Cross-border traffic may be on Niinistö-Putin agenda
 Finnish President  Sauli Niinistö  meets with his Russian counterpart  Vladimir Putin  on Friday at the Kremlin in Moscow. The meeting comes just as the Russian capital heads into lockdown amid record-high daily Covid-19 death tolls.
 Bilateral issues on the table may include the impact of Russia's coronavirus surge on cross-border traffic during the upcoming holiday season.
 Allegro express trains between Helsinki and St. Petersburg are  due to resume traffic before the Christmas season . Last week Russian media reported that the service might re-start on 12 December, but this depends on agreement on Covid restrictions between the two countries' authorities.
 Unlike neighbouring Estonia, Finland does not allow entry by visitors who have received the Russian Sputnik vaccine rather than EU-approved jabs.
 The Allegro train has not operated between Helsinki and St. Petersburg for a year and a half.
 More on this story  here .
 28.10 13:46 Passport boosts vaccinations among young adults
 The Covid-19 situation in Finland has remained largely unchanged over the past couple of weeks, according to officials from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
 The introduction of the Covid passport seems to have increased the willingness of people under 35 to take their first dose of coronavirus vaccine. An increasing number of restaurants, bars and clubs are requiring a valid pass for entry, as this allows them to remain open later.
 There has also been a rise in vaccinations among youngsters aged 12-15. This may be partly explained by travel related to last week’s autumn school holidays.
 More details  here .
 28.10 12:54 THL: 673 new cases
 Public health authority THL has confirmed 673 new coronavirus infections on Thursday. Finland's total number of infections since the beginning of the pandemic now stands at 156,959.
 The agency reported that the highest increase in case numbers came from the Helsinki and Uusimaa district, with 250 new infections.
 28.10 12:45 Finland to help Covid-hit Latvia
 Finland intends to respond to Latvia's request for assistance due to the country's deteriorating Covid situation, Safety and Health Department adviser  Lasse Ilkka  from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health told Yle Radio Suomi on Thursday.
 Read more  here .
 27.10 16:13 STT: Bar, restaurant restrictions to be extended
 Citing government sources, news agency STT reported that Finland's government parties have unanimously agreed that coronavirus-related restaurant and bar restrictions should be extended even after they are scheduled to expire at the end of this month.
 The news agency said the government is reviewing this week how the restrictions could be extended.
 Read more  here .
 27.10 12:25 THL: 739 new cases as hospitalisations decline
 Public health authority THL has confirmed 739 new coronavirus infections on Wednesday. Finland's total number of infections since the beginning of the pandemic now stands at 156,286.
 The agency also reported a slight decrease in the number of people receiving treatment in hospitals for the virus, down to 206 from 215 on Monday. There have also been no further Covid-related fatalities in Finland since THL last reported the latest figures on Monday. Finland's death toll from the pandemic therefore remains at 1,150.
 27.10 8:57 Papers: Experts disagree over travel to Estonia
 Helsingin Sanomat's main story on Wednesday morning  concerns  a difference of opinion between two of Finland's top pandemic specialists over how safe it currently is to travel to Estonia or the other Baltic nations.
 Pasi Pohjola  of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health tells HS that Finnish authorities have been monitoring the rapidly deteriorating pandemic situation in Estonia "with concern".
 However, public health agency THL's Director of Health Security  Mika Salminen  believes fully vaccinated people can make trips across the Baltic Sea.
 Read more on this story, and the rest of our Wednesday morning paper review,  here .
 25.10 18:43 Survey: Business travel won't return to pre-Covid levels
 It appears very unlikely that Finland's business travel will return to pre-Covid levels, according to an informal Yle survey of more than two dozen of the country's top-listed companies.
 Yle asked 30 firms listed at the top of the Nasdaq Helsinki stock exchange about their plans for the future. A total of 25 replied to the survey, with nearly all of them saying that, looking ahead, they are planning significantly less business-related air travel than before the Covid crisis began.
 Read more  here .
 25.10 14:01 THL: 1,700 new cases, 11 deaths
 The Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) on Monday said there were 1,732 new lab-confirmed coronavirus cases reported in Finland since Friday, the last time such figures were reported.
 The institute also reported 11 additional Covid-related fatalities in Finland, bringing the country's epidemic death toll to 1,150.
 As of Monday there were 215 Covid patients receiving care in the country's hospitals, 34 of whom were in intensive care units.
 The number of Covid patients in ICU wards increased by four over the weekend, while the number of patients in hospital care rose by 10.
 Blog continues after photo
 A Covid-19 patient in an intensive care unit at Turku University Hospital (Tyks).  Arash Matin / Yle
 25.10 11:35 Transport operators end mandatory mask order
 VR and HSL said passengers can continue to wear face coverings if they wish to do so in accordance with the national mask recommendation.
 HSL  introduced  the mask mandate in March this year, as Finland's infection rate spiralled, but said it was moving from obligation to recommendation in line with the easing of wider societal restrictions.
 More on this story  here .
 25.10 9:39 No more masks in schools
 The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) has lifted its recommendation on masks in schools for pupils in grade 6 and up as of 25 October.
 The risk of contracting coronavirus in daycares, schools and other educational institutions is now small, according to the THL.
 Find out more about this story and other news in Monday morning's  news round up .
 For previous updates, click  here .

Coronavirus updates 25.10-8.12


Summary: If foreign tourists test positive but are inadequately insured or don't have enough money, it is up to municipalities to arrange their quarantine accommodations.

Foreign tourists' visits to Finnish Lapland can incur huge extra costs if their travel insurance isn't up to snuff, particularly if they test positive for Covid-19.
 People diagnosed with the upper respiratory disease are subject to 10 days quarantine, according to  Markku Broas , Chief Physician of Infectious Diseases of the Lapland Hospital District (LSHP).
 "According to the Infectious Diseases Act, isolation and quarantine costs are ultimately the responsibility of the municipality and the return flight home is the tourist's responsibility," Broas explained.
 Earlier this week it was reported that the number of Christmas holiday tourists arriving in Lapland and the Kuusamo region this year is likely to hit pre-Covid levels.
 As of Friday morning, around 35 people from abroad had been diagnosed with coronavirus infections in the LSHP, most of whom have been fully vaccinated.
 For many travellers in such situations it feels most natural to self-isolate in their familiar hotel rooms, but that's not always possible.
 Guest responsibility
 Accommodations across Lapland are almost fully booked at this stage of the season, with hotels sometimes not prepared for guests' Covid diagnoses and unexpected extensions.
 The manager of Lapland Hotels Sky Ounasvaara,  Mira Söderlund , said efforts are made to assist guests who find themselves needing to self-isolate.
 Story continues after photo
 Mira Söderlund Pekka Viinikka / Yle
 "If customers don't have insurance or enough money, or we don't have accommodation to offer, we try to help them find temporary accommodation elsewhere," she explained, noting that finding accommodation is the responsibility of customers.
 "Customers are always primarily responsible for arranging quarantine accommodations. If they are unable to do so, the authorities will assist them, we are intermediaries," Söderlund said.
 The managing director of tourism outfit Visit Rovaniemi,  Sanna Kärkkäinen , said that the city has sorted out quarantine facilities, in order to provide such accommodation in other places than hotels.
 Meanwhile, the City of Rovaniemi's Educational and Recreational Department Director,  Antti Lassila , said the alternative is to arrange accommodation in existing locations, such as hotels. But if a room is unavailable, the city seeks assistance from the social services department, asking whether other facilities are available.
 Testing and more testing
 Guests at local hotels are almost without exception tourists from Europe. For example, the Ounasvaara hotel is serving guests from the UK, Ireland and France. But the hotels have not commented about possible coronavirus cases at the establishments.
 The majority of foreign guests who have tested positive for Covid have come from the UK, a country that has increasingly tightened its pandemic-related border crossing restrictions.
 Upon returning home, British tourists need to take a PCR test, and are required to quarantine as they wait for the results.
 Before they head home, major tour operators in Lapland have been delivering home testing kits to their customers' places of accommodation.
 Story continues after photo
 Part of the Covid-19 home test kit. A result showing the top single strip is negative while two stripes indicates a positive outcome. Johanna Manu / Yle
 "If the home test is positive, a new test must be carried out immediately at a municipal testing centre and they must self-isolate while awaiting the result. If the second test turns out positive, it will trigger normal infection chain tracing," chief physician Broas explained.
 Strategy streamline
 The region's hospital district has invited tourism industry and municipality representatives, as well as communicable disease authorities, to agree on common rules and procedures for visitors' coronavirus infections.
 Visit Rovaniemi's Kärkkäinen said that tour operators need to keep up with current practices.
 "Up-to-date information is important to ensure that travellers do not have to wait for calls, they receive relevant information and feel as comfortable as possible under the circumstances," Kärkkäinen.
 According to the LSHP, the number of tourists with Covid in the district was low at the moment, but the situation could quickly change as more visitors arrive.
 The work involved in infection chain tracing takes a good deal of resources and, according to chief doc Broas, infection tracers are already under intense pressure, particularly in Rovaniemi and Inari.
 "This poses challenges and municipalities also need to prepare for it. When it comes to tourists, information and clarification also takes resources. It is worth preparing for, as there are a lot of foreign tourists in Lapland, and more are coming," Broas said.
 Updated at 14:16 to reflect there were 35 tourists with Covid in the hospital district as of Friday morning.

Foreign tourist Covid quarantines could be costly for Lapland


Summary: Police have released one of five men detained a week ago on suspicion of terrorist offenses, saying he poses no danger.

The Southwest Finland police department said on Friday that it had released one of the suspects believed to be members of a far-right terror cell in the town of Kankaanpää.
 Last Friday, Satakunta District Court remanded five men, aged 23-26, on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack. This was the first time such charges have ever been filed against a far-right group in Finland.
 One of the suspects was arrested conditionally, with the court giving police a week to gather further information on the suspect before possibly extending the detention.
 The head of the investigation said that the higher threshold needed to continue the individual's detention had not so far been met based on interrogations and other preliminary investigation material. As a result, the suspect was been released on Friday.
 Gag order but no travel ban
 As law enforcement officials saw no probable cause to suspect that he might commit a crime, no travel ban was imposed on the suspect.
 However, the man is still suspected of terrorist offenses and his involvement in the case is still being investigated. According to police, he does not currently pose any danger.
 The suspect's attorney,  Jarkko Liljeqvist , said his client was pleased with the decision. The suspect is under a gag order forbidding him to talk about the case.
 Kankaanpää is a town of some 11,000 people in the Satakunta region, about 50km inland from Pori.

One suspect in Kankaanpää neo-Nazi case released, but remains under investigation


Summary: Last week, around 147,000 Covid tests were carried out in labs across the country, up from some 85,000 tests weekly in late October and early November.

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) is recommending the use of Covid home tests. The agency plans to provide further guidance about using the kits in the near future.
 The director of the THL's Department for Health Security,  Mika Salminen , spoke about the matter at a coronavirus briefing on Thursday.
 "Home tests are said to be improved. Their degree of reliability is not exactly the same as laboratory tests, but their advantage is that results are immediate and there is no need to wait until the next day," Salminen explained, urging the use of the home kits if, for example, a family member has a runny nose.
 "If the result is positive, a lab test should be performed to confirm it," he said, adding that if there are many symptoms, the ill person should not head out but stay home and cancel their plans.
 Coronavirus testing has increased over the past weeks, according to the THL. Last week, around 147,000 Covid tests were carried out in labs across the country, while in the weeks between the end of October and beginning of November, roughly 85,000 of the tests were being carried out each week.
 Of the samples taken last week, 6.4 percent were positive, compared to 6.3 percent in the previous two weeks. At the end of October the positive result proportion was 5.2 percent.
 The number of new Covid cases has been rising in Finland for the past several weeks, with workloads in intensive care units doubling compared to the end of October.
 According to the THL, 39 new Covid patients were admitted to intensive care units last week.

THL recommends use of Covid home tests, even for mild symptoms


Summary: Helsinki's Jewish congregation's security requirements have grown in recent years.

In November flowers were placed outside Helsinki's synagogue, attached to the message 'arbeit macht frei', the slogan on the gates at Nazi concentration camps. .
 The delivery was made on the anniversary of kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass, when Nazi Germany launched a pogrom against Jewish people, businesses and properties in 1938.
 Helsinki's Jewish congregation is the only religious organisation in Finland that has its own security unit. Christian newspaper Kirkko ja Kaupunki has reported that the congregation's security budget in recent years has been as much as 450,000 euros a year.
 Anti-semitism has been on the rise during the pandemic, especially online, and in November the EU's Agency for Fundamental Rights said in a report that most incidents still go unreported.
 Eve Skurnik , 22, has learnt to be careful. When she moves around the city, she does not display outward signs of her Jewish faith.
 "I've made a conscious decision that I rarely show the star of David," says Eve. "I try to avoid any commenting or threatening situations."
 When she was 15, Skurnik visited Sweden with friends. A group of boys noticed the Star of David necklace she was wearing, and started shouting racist insults.
 Since then, it has remained hidden in Helsinki as well.
 Dan Tolppanen , who is also known as the rap artist Uniikkina, was brought up in a Jewish family. He no longer feels at-risk because of his faith, but he has been forced to flee in his youth.
 "Sometimes when I was younger I was forced to fight and had to run to escape skinheads," said Tolppanen.
 Security costs rise 250,000 euros in four years
 In the 1970s and 1980s Helsinki's Jews spent next to nothing on security. By 2017 the security budget had risen to 200,000 euros and in 2021 it stands at 450,000 euros.
 The majority of the funding comes from state coffers, with the rest from donations. There are around 2,000 Jews in Finland, with around a thousand of them part of the Helsinki congregation.
 The congregation does not go into details in describing its security arrangements, but the goal is clear: prevention.
 "Money spent on security enables us to arrange our activities," said congregation chair  Yaron Nadbornik . "Without it people would not dare to join our activities."
 Nadbornik says that threats come regularly via email. There is also graffiti, stickers and minor vandalism every month.
 "We are already numb to the situation," said Nadbornik. "If you want to be Jewish in Europe, then you have to accept that not everyone will like it."
 Threats and vandalism subsided a little at the start of the pandemic, but last summer saw an uptick again. According to Helsinki police the quieter period coincided with a drop in disruptive behaviour and activity in general in the centre of Helsinki.
 According to Helsinki police, those who vandalise the synagogue are often from out of town. At the start of the pandemic, many of them were not in the capital as much.
 "It's weird that in Finland there's most anti-semitism in the places where there aren't really any Jews," said Nadbornik.
 According to Finland's Church Research Institute, antisemitism in Finland is concentrated among neo-Nazi groups and other far-right organisations, with some present among Muslim groups and the far left and linked to events in Palestine.
 Hate crimes slower to materialise
 According to Nadbornik, Finland lacks a clear, structured strategy to combat hate crimes. He says there should be more investment in recognising and following up on them.
 "If someone spraypaints a Nazi symbol on the synagogue, it is treated the same was as when someone draws a blue ball on the wall of a shopping centre," said Nadbornik. "It is seen as a property crime."
 He adds that the punishments for hate crimes remain too small. It can take a long time before a hate crime is even recognised as having occurred.
 The prohibition of the Nordic Resistance Movement was a positive step, according to Nadbornik, but otherwise the threat seems to keep growing.
 "Failure to invest in prevention allows hate to grow and gives it a platform," says Nadbornik. "For example the perpetrator of the Pittsburgh anti-semitic attack was a person who had radicalised online through hate speech."
 Eleven people died in that attack.
 Trust in the new generation
 Online hate speech concerns Eve Skurnik. Open discussions on the internet can help people understand other cultures, but at the same time provide a platform for anti-semitism.
 "I don't feel like things have improved," said Skurnik. "At times in Finland it feels peaceful, but events worldwide can change direction quickly."
 Dan Tolppanen has also noticed an increase in hate speech in Europe. He has high hopes for younger generations though, as he regards them as more vigilant and also more tolerant.
 "I have toured the country for twenty years," said Tolppanen. "In my opinion we are more accepting of other cultures than ever. They have become more common in the countryside too.
 Tolppanen says racist comments aren't heard as much as they used to be, and that when they are used people intervene.
 "A lot of good things have happened, too," he says.

Helsinki Jewish congregation spends 450,000 euros a year on security


Summary: The commander of the Defence Forces does not see direct threats to Finland at the moment.

Timo Kivinen , the commander of Finland's defence forces, told Yle's weekend morning talk show that he regards the decision to purchase F-35 fighter jets, announced on Friday, as the best possible deal.
 It's the biggest military procurement in Finnish history, with 64 planes on their way to Finland in the next decade. The selection process took six years from start to finish, including three separate tendering calls, and four rounds of negotiation with the five candidates.
 In the last stage, each bid was scrutinised by working groups composed of a total of around a hundred people. The project's military and financial significance meant everything had to be done thoroughly, and Kivinen says that shows in the final result.
 "The group that has done this, has done great work," said Kivinen. "The money that was used for this [preparation] ensured we got the best package."
 In the final round there were three candidates: the US F-35s and Super Hornets and Sweden's Gripen. The Eurofighter Typhoon and France's Rafale fell before the final hurdle.
 Cost, industrial co-operation and security of supply tests had to be passed for candidates to reach the final round, said Kivinen.
 Overall, the procurement will cost some ten billion euros. Between 2025 and 2030 maintenance will be included in the project cost, and from 2031 the maintenance costs will come out of the Defence Forces' budget.
 "It has the capability to support ground forces, naval forces and far-reaching firepower," said Kivinen. "With this we're getting air to air missiles, later we can consider other things."
 The project won't affect defence co-operation between Finland and Sweden, according to Kivinen.
 "In both countries there is still a political will to deepen co-operation," said Kivinen. "I don't see that the decision would have any effect on that. Sweden is our closest partner. We make operational plans together that we don't make with anyone else."
 Finland's current fighter jets, the McDonnell-Douglas-made Hornets, will be retired starting in 2025. They will mostly be scrapped, according to Kivinen.
 Baltic sea security difficult to anticipate
 Kivine says that the strategic situation in the Baltic Sea is not likely to change for the better in the near future. The situation in Ukraine could have ripple effects in the Baltic Sea region.
 In itself there has been no significant change," said Kivinen. "In this situation, when there is an exceptional buildup on Ukraine's borders, we are following the situation closely."
 The general does not see any military threats directed at Finland at the moment. Russia has concentrated around 100,000 troops on the borders of Ukraine and that has raised interest in Finland as well.
 "There is an exceptional buildup there, and it is being followed closely," said Kivinen. "We are looking at different scenarios and evaluations. It is possible that military actions there could start, and there would be broader ripple effects also here, in te Baltic Sea region. I wouldn't say that this is happening, now, but it is possible."
 Real threat of war in Ukraine
 Russian President Vladimir Putin recently repeated his view that Nato should not expand further to the east.
 Russia's goal looks to be a security arrangement based on 'spheres of influence' in Europe.
 This year Russia has raised and lowered readiness of its forces in the vicinity of Ukraine, and Kivinen says that military action is possible even though all sides would first seek a resolution through negotiations.
 "We adjust our own actions according to what is happening in the region and I can say that in Finland's immediate vicinity there is no operation ongoing that we would need to be concerned about," said Kivinen. "There is no military threat directed at Finland."

Finnish general: If war breaks out in Ukraine, it also affects the Baltic Sea region


Summary: Negotiations with UPM were to continue on Sunday, but the firm said in an email that they were postponed until Friday, without giving a reason.

The Paperworkers' Union and the forest products firm Metsä have announced a deal on a company-specific collective agreement.
 Union president  Petri Vanhala  said in a press release on Saturday that he was satisfied with both "the spirit and the outcome" of the talks.
 "Negotiations between the Paperworkers' Union and Metsä Group lasted quite a long time, yet they were conducted in a constructive spirit throughout each stage. It will be good to continue cooperating in this way in the future," Vanhala said.
 The terms of the deal are still to be ratified by the boards of both the union and the company.
 UPM postpones talks until Friday
 The current industry-wide collective agreement for the paper sector expires at the end of this year, and new agreements are currently being hammered out on a company-by-company basis for the first time.
 Traditionally the exporting sectors signal the level of pay rises to be expected in the rest of the economy.
 The Paperworkers' Union has already reached an agreement with Stora Enso, a deal which will be valid from the beginning of January until the end of April 2024.
 However, negotiations between the union and UPM have stalled as the union wants to reach a company-specific agreement while the company is looking to negotiate on a business-specific level.
 UPM has five business areas in which the union is a contractual partner. Talks were to continue on Sunday.
 However, Vanhala said that UPM had announced in an email that negotiations would be postponed until next Friday. Vanhala said he did not know the reason for the delay.
 1 2.12: Updated with UPM delay and other details.

Paper union, Metsä reach collective agreement deal; UPM postpones talks


Summary: Police detained 38 people involved in Saturday's protest in the Sörnäinen district.

Climate activists from the Elokapina protest movement — the Finnish branch of the environmental group Extinction Rebellion — blocked traffic on a main thoroughfare in Helsinki on Saturday afternoon.
 Helsinki police said that prior notice of the protest on Sörnäisten rantatie was not provided by the Elokapina group, adding that there were between 40 and 50 activists involved in the protest.
 Police detained 38 protestors after they refused to move to an alternative location indicated by police.
 In a tweet, the protest group said that about 150 activists had been present.
 Story continues after images.
 Elokapina added that the action was arranged because the Finnish government has not declared a climate and environmental emergency or reacted strongly enough to the climate and environmental crisis.
 "Elokapina has closed the Sörnäisten rantatie at Kaikukatu from 3pm to show its deep disappointment with the current destructive climate policy," the group said in a press release.
 Elokapina have staged a series of sit-ins and other events in the Helsinki region since  October.
 12.12: Updated number of detainees and other details.

Police detain activists as climate protest group block Helsinki street