Due to the worsening epidemic situation in the region, the Metropolitan Coronavir Coordination Group has recommended that the recently introduced restrictions be extended for another two weeks.

The city of Helsinki reported on the matter in a press release issued on Monday.

According to the expert group, the number of new cases of coronavirus is growing rapidly throughout the Helsinki metropolitan area. More cases have been reported in recent weeks than in previous stages of the epidemic. The group also noted an increase in the workload of local hospitals due to the situation.

The National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) announced on Monday that 17,047 laboratory-confirmed cases of coronavirus had been diagnosed in Finland over the weekend. Of these, almost 11,000 were diagnosed in the hospital districts of Helsinki and Uusimaa.

The city said the group has also advised the Southern Finland Regional State Administrative Agency (Avi) to continue restricting public interiors for another two weeks after the current guidelines expire on January 10th.

Restrictions affect businesses and communities, including:

• Indoor sports facilities
• Public swimming pools, spas and saunas
• Dance facilities and venues for choirs, amateur theater or other similar activities
• Amusement and theme parks, including zoo interiors
• Inside playgrounds
• Public meeting rooms in shopping malls

According to the previous guide, the restrictions do not apply to supervised leisure activities for those born in 2003 or later.

Restrictions on the size of gatherings for public events are currently in force on 17.1. and the coordination group has also recommended their extension for two weeks.