Update on the Corona Pandemic in the Republic of July 9, 2020

As of today, the Finnish Public Health Authorities announced that 0 new deaths have been confirmed within the last 24 hours due to the Coronavirus. Since Covid-19 reached Finland the total mortality rate is now 329 people. 7 273 people have been confirmed infected and 2 people are in intensive care.

The has published new, eased travel restrictions. Corona infection has decreased in many places, which means that Finland can open up to both tourists and guest workers. On Wednesday evening July 8, 2020, the government held a press conference on open borders with new countries and on the possibility for berry pickers from Thailand to come to Finland. In many European countries, the corona situation has now fallen to the same level as in Finland. Therefore, the border can be opened to the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Greece, Austria, Malta, Germany, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland. Travelers from Cyprus, Ireland, Andorra, San Marino and the Vatican City are also allowed. Finland also follows the EU's "green list" and allows necessary travel to and from Japan, China, Australia, Thailand, South Korea, Georgia and Tunisia, among others. However, the travel restrictions remain in force for Sweden, Spain, Portugal, Luxembourg, Poland, France and the Czech Republic. Tourists from Bulgaria, Croatia, Great Britain and Monaco are not allowed to come to Finland at the moment either. Ministers Haavisto and Ohisalo regretted once again that the infection situation is so different in Sweden and Finland. “However, we can consider regional openings later on,” said Maria Ohisalo. Health care and the corona situation were also discussed during the press conference. Minister for Family Affairs and Social services Krista Kiuru spoke about epidemiology and testing, and tried to give reassuring information that the situation has improved in most of the country. But that is not the case in the world. The pandemic peak has not been reached globally, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The government has noted how quickly the infection curve has risen again in some countries. “The situation is deteriorating globally. Nobody knows about a second wave, but we are preparing,” Kiuru said.

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She reminded of the strategy one still follows, of testing everyone with symptoms or medical suspicion should be tested and the results will come within 24 hours. Testing all week is so much cheaper than pandemics, was a point made representatives from both and 's healthcare districts, Lapland and the Institute for Health and Welfare. "Summer does not protect us from infection," said Minister Kiuru, appealing to all Finns to protect themselves and their relatives. It is still important to keep sufficient distance, avoid unnecessary contacts and take care of hygiene, write the newspaper yle on their website.

Created by: Crisis Committee Monitoring and Taking the Required Procedures Regarding Coronavirus in Accredited Countries by the Embassy of Libya - Sweden Stockholm: July 9, 2020

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