The Ministry of Justice is responsible for providing the general guidelines in this matter. Questions concerning the organisation of single events must be addressed to the Police, which is the supervisory authority, or to the regional state administrative agency, which has made the decision to ban public gatherings in accordance with the Government's policy.
Yes, the courts will continue their operations as usual, as will the rest of the public administration. Some of the scheduled court sessions will probably need to be postponed and the consideration may unfortunately be delayed, but the courts will inform the parties concerned of this personally.
Published 18.3.2020
It is prohibited to arrange public events intended for more than ten persons. The prohibition applies to all meetings that are open to the public, regardless of whether they are to be held indoors or outdoors. The prohibition applies to both public meetings and public events.
A public meeting means an event open for participation or observation, including to persons who have not been expressly invited to it.
A public event is, as a rule, an event intended for more than ten persons, which the participants attend on their own initiative. Such events include entertainment events, performances, competitions and other similar events open to the public, such as theatre performances, operas and movie screenings, concerts and exhibitions, as well as fairs, competitions and sports events.
Published 18.3.2020
The Government’s decision to restrict gatherings of more than ten persons applies also to these in respect of the Communicable Diseases Act and the regulations issued under it.
Many public sector entities have already restricted the organisation of events significantly on their own initiative. Religious communities are responsible for ensuring compliance with the Government’s policy themselves, similarly as all other event organisers.
In all situations, it is good to remember that there is a state of emergency in Finland right now. It is advisable to keep your distance from other people.
Published 18.3.2020, answer has been updated on 19 March 2020 at 17.00.
There is no straightforward answer to this question, because meetings of associations and annual general meetings are also considered public events. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. Meetings must not be arranged if participation in them requires an invitation or membership in a particular corporation or association, unless the event can be considered private due to the number of participants or the nature of the event or for other special reasons. The restriction concerns events with more than ten participants, which means that meetings of small companies and other corporations can be held.
Meetings with more than ten participants should be postponed, if the applicable legislation and the articles of association of the corporation allow this. If a time limit for holding a meeting is about to expire, the management will have to assess whether it is better to postpone the meeting or try to hold it with exceptional arrangements, such as by using proxies or via remote connections. In such cases, it must be ensured that all those who wish to participate in the meeting can do so on an equal basis. The responsibility for arranging meetings in a manner that is safe to the shareholders always lies with the company.
In respect of annual general meetings and other annual meetings, it is good to remember that the current restrictions will remain in force only until 13 April 2020. The Ministry of Justice will draft legislative proposals concerning the organisation of these meetings under emergency conditions, if the validity of the restriction on gatherings will be extended.
Published 18.3.202, answer was supplemented (last paragraph added) on 27 March at 13.15.
The Government’s policy is based on the Communicable Diseases Act, which does not lay down any penal provisions concerning this matter (section 58). The policy also affects the application of the Assembly Act, which is supervised by the police. Activities violating the provisions of the Assembly Act may be punishable as an assembly violation, for which the maximum punishment is a fine.
Published 18.3.2020
All restaurants, cafés and bars must be closed everywhere in Finland starting at midnight on Friday, 3 April. They will remain closed to customers from Saturday 4 April to 31 May 2020. Preparing meals for take away will be allowed. The order to close restaurants to customers does not apply to restaurants that are not open to the public, such as personnel canteens or student canteens in educational institutions.
Shopping centres, station buildings, and other public premises, however, may remain open. In other words, being in a shopping centre does not constitute a ‘public gathering’ on the grounds that the number of customers exceeds ten.
It is advisable for companies to adapt their operating practices according to the new situation. They should aim to provide more individualised services, serve smaller groups of customers, or stagger their meetings. An example of this is event producers organising direct sales groups via Facebook based on the idea that customers and vendors will arrive at an agreed place at an agreed time.
Customers should always take into account the fact that there is a state of emergency in the country and act accordingly. It is advisable to keep your distance from other people.
Published 18.3.2020, answer has been updated on 3 April 2020 at 15.55.
Businesses in these sectors may remain open. The decision applies to gatherings, not to the provision of individual services. The providers of individual services are advised, however, to take into account the state of emergency in their activities. The physical distance between customers should be increased and services should be arranged in such a way that customer encounters are kept to a minimum.
Published 18.3.2020
The Government’s decision to restrict gatherings limits the maximum number of participants at any gathering to ten persons.
The recommendation concerning the closure of cultural venues and sports facilities applies to all private and third-sector operators providing group exercise classes and gym services. In other words, it is recommended that these be closed.
Movie theatres are covered both by the restriction on gatherings, which is based on the law, and by the recommendation concerning theatres. Movie theatres are allowed to remain open, but it is recommended that they be closed. They may also show films, but they must not allow more than ten persons to be present at a screening at the same time.
Published 18.3.2020
Yes. The restrictions do not apply to public transport. It is advisable to keep your distance from fellow passengers.
Published 18.3.2020
The restrictions have been introduced to protect people, you should not try to find ways to evade them.
Published 18.3.2020
Answers to these and other questions about the restrictions on movement can be found on the website of the Mininstry of the Interior
Published 26.3.2020 at 13.03
The coronavirus crisis can affect the financial situation of many people. What should you take into account if your income drops? What should you take into account if you are taking out a loan? You can find answers to these and many other questions on the website of the financial and debt counselling services at.
If you need advice concerning your financial situation, you can contact a legal aid office providing financial and debt counselling services or the financial and debt counselling chat. The chat is open from Monday to Friday at 10–12. The chat and the contact details of the legal aid offices are available on the Oikeus.fi website.
Advices also on the website of the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority
Published 26.3.2020 at 13.45, answer has been updated on 3 April 2020 at 16.05