Parliament has decided to extend restaurant closures until 18 April. MPs convened for a rare Sunday session to debate the government's proposed extension of restaurant closures, among other issues.
The current restrictions, which only allow take-away sales, expired on Sunday so a speedy decision was needed to extend them for another three-week period without a break.
The president was due to sign the law later on Sunday.
Regions remain uncertain
Later on Sunday, the government is to issue a separate decree on which areas will be affected by the closure of restaurants.
According to preliminary information received by the STT news agency, the restaurant restriction situation is to remain unchanged in most parts of the country. The exception would be Southern Ostrobothnia, where restaurants could be opened as the pandemic situation has improved to baseline.
Changes may also be coming to Northern Savo, where restaurants may have to close due to the deteriorating situation.
Up until now the closure has covered nearly the whole country, i.e., the areas that are in the so-called acceleration and community transmission phases of the pandemic.
The only areas that are in the lowest baseline phase and thus apparently not affected are South and Central Ostrobothnia, North Savo, North Karelia and Kainuu.
Opposition seeks open terraces in Lapland, takeaway alcohol sales
Opposition MPs criticised the bill for including all restaurants, bars and cafés in the same category, ranging from lunch-only restaurants to karaoke bars and nightclubs.
The opposition also called for a reduction in VAT on restaurants and a more regional targeting of closures, as well as more subsidies for the sector.
In addition, the Finns Party and the National Coalition Party want to allow restaurants to sell alcoholic beverages to take-away customers as a way to help restaurateurs make up for some of their financial losses. At present state-owned Alko shops have a monopoly on retail sales of drinks with alcohol content of over 5.5 percent.
Opposition lawmakers also questioned the complete closure of restaurants in Finnish Lapland, arguing that they should be allowed to serve on outdoor terraces while observing social distancing and other safety measures.
Regional authorities may close gyms, other recreational facilities
Also on Sunday, Parliament approved a temporary amendment to the Communicable Diseases Act, giving regional authorities the power to temporarily close gyms and other recreational facilities in the areas worst-hit by the epidemic.
The amendment clarifies Article 58g of the Communicable Diseases Act, which recently caused differences of interpretation between the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and regional government agencies.
17:00 Added information about gyms and other recreational facilities.
