The latest measures are aimed at tackling the spread of new coronavirus variants.
Interior Minister Maria Ohisalo (left) and Social Services Minister Krista Kiuru at Friday evening s press conference.
Image: Antti Aimo-Koivisto / Lehtikuva
Finland is to bar all but essential travel as it looks to curb the potential spread of new, more highly contagious variants of the virus.
The latest measures include the increased rollout of coronavirus testing at all border points and further restrictions on cross-border traffic with the exception of essential work-related trips and meetings with close family.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday evening, Interior Minister
Municipalities begin preparing coronavirus vaccination centres
A mass vaccination strategy depends on the reliable availability and delivery of sufficient quantities of each vaccine.
Turku Fair Centre is being prepared to be used as a large-scale vaccination centre.
Image: Markku Sandell / Yle
Municipalities across Finland have started planning for the roll out of a mass vaccination strategy, with large convention centres in major cities set to be the focal points.
Authorities in Turku are making preparations to begin an extensive vaccination programme in the city in February, which will be concentrated around the Turku Fair Centre.
A similar strategy was used last year for the providing of influenza vaccinations.
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Finnish Prime Minister
Sanna Marin (SDP) has joined other EU leaders in calling for the release of Russian opposition politician
Alexei Navalny. Mr Navalny was detained by Russian authorities on Sunday when he arrived in Moscow on a flight from Berlin, where he had been recovering from a serious illness, brought on by apparent novichock chemical poisoning. Mr Navalny blames
Vladimir Putin‘s regime for being behind the assassination attempt, and EU governments have repeatedly called for a proper investigation into the incident, which took place last autumn. “Russian opposition politician [Alexei Navalny] must be released without delay” Marin wrote on Twitter on Monday morning. “Also others arrested at his arrival should be freed. Russia should investigate Navalny’s poisoning, protect rights of opposition which belongs to any democracy.” On Sunday, Foreign Minister
Nurses union criticises THL, employer over care home Covid outbreak
A total of 13 deaths linked to coronavirus have been reported at the facility since a localised outbreak in early December.
Rauhaniemi care home in Tampere.
Image: Marjut Suomi / Yle
The Finnish Union of Practical Nurses (SuPer) says that workers at a Tampere care home that has seen 13 people die of coronavirus since December were not provided with sufficient protective equipment.
SuPer blames the City of Tampere, which owns Tampere s Rauhaniemi hospital for senior citizens, and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), which sets out guidance for protective masks in care settings.