Recommendations and restrictions

By using a mask, everyone over the age of 12 can protect themselves in situations in which it is difficult to avoid close contact, for example, in indoor public spaces and when using crowded public transport. Members of groups deemed at high risk of contracting the coronavirus should also continue to wear a mask in public, even if they are fully vaccinated.

Wearing a mask is still recommended in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area in the following circumstances:

• If you are in transit to a coronavirus test or treatment due to a suspected infection
• If you have symptoms of a respiratory tract infection and must move about in public
• If you know you have been exposed to the coronavirus (for example, a family member has tested positive) and you must move about in public
• If you pay a visit to social and health services as a client, patient or visitor, or if you are an employee of these services, in line with guidelines from the relevant authorities.

With this decision, the separate recommendations to use a mask at schools, universities and other learning institutions in the area will also end. Those who wish to continue using a mask are free to do so, and masks will continue to be distributed at no cost to students and staff of city schools and learning institutions.

These guidelines apply to all city-managed facilities. The city Espoo recommend that private operators also follow these restrictions and safety guidelines when organising recreational activities.

• No one participates in the recreational activities when they have symptoms of the flu.
• Recreational activities follow general guidelines for hand and coughing hygiene.
• Unnecessary physical contact is avoided in recreational activities.

It is recommended to employers that wide-scale remote work be gradually switched to a combination of remote and contact work as of 1 March 2022.

• Read more about visitor recommendations at nursing homes and housing units
• Read more about visitor restrictions at Espoo Hospital

All public and private customer facilities must:

• Offer customers the possibility to clean their hands either by washing or with hand sanitiser.
• Have sufficient hygiene instructions on display.
• Have possible customer seats placed at a sufficient distance from each other and also otherwise ensure that there is as much space as possible for people.
• Enhance the cleaning of facilities and surfaces.

(Communicable Diseases Act, Section 58(c)

Restrictions are invalid as of 1 February 2022, which means that the facilities used by public and private operators for sports, exercise, leisure and recreation can be open.

Health safety is ensured in all customer service premises of the City of Espoo by means of premises-specific arrangements in accordance with sections 58(c) and 58(d) of the Communicable Diseases Act. For more information: Regulations concerning customer premises(extrernal link)

We do not require a Covid passport at the City of Espoo’s sports and cultural facilities, public events or recreational activities. The situation will be re-assessed after the national Covid passport guidelines have been specified.

Restaurant restrictions were lifted from 1 March 2022 onwards. The lifting of the restrictions applies to all restaurants.

The obligation to observe the general hygiene guidelines and to keep a safe distance will remain in force in all regions until the end of March:

• Restaurants must clearly inform people arriving there that a person with symptoms consistent with a COVID-19 infection is not allowed to enter the premises.
• Restaurants must make sure that there is no unnecessary congestion in their premises.
• Restaurants must ensure that the premises and surfaces are cleaned and that customers are given the opportunity to clean their hands.
• Restaurants must draw up a written plan on how to implement the obligations and restrictions laid down for their activities.

Organisers must take account of current health and safety guidelines when planning events. Organisers are responsible for determining the measures needed to prevent the risk of infection. In addition, the general hygiene requirements specified in the Communicable Diseases Act will remain in force until 30 June 2022. More detailed information: Regulations concerning customer premises(extrernal link).

There are no restrictions related to private events currently in force in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. However, it is still advisable to follow general health safety recommendations, such as participating only when you are completely healthy, observing good hand hygiene and keeping a sufficient distance to others, also in private events.

Check out the recommendations on the website of the Finnish Government: Travel to and from Finland(extrernal link)

The comprehensive schools are in contact teaching. It is recommended that all pupils in 3rd grade or above, students, school staff and visitors wear a face mask.

Upper secondary schools, that is general upper secondary schools and vocational institutions, are in contact teaching.

Universities provide information on the effects of coronavirus on studies on their websites:

• Aalto University(extrernal link)
• Metropolia University of Applied Sciences(extrernal link)
• Laurea University of Applied Sciences(extrernal link)

Further information on current restrictions is available on the website of the Regional State Administrative Agency for Southern Finland (in Finnish)(extrernal link)

THL: Coronavirus cases, hospital treatment situation and deaths.(extrernal link)

Ministry of Social Affairs and Health: Guidelines of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health for the prevention of coronavirus.(extrernal link)

Further information on current restrictions is available on the website of the Regional State Administrative Agency for Southern Finland (in Finnish)(extrernal link).