THL alleviates mask recommendation in Finland
FINN The Department of Health and Welfare (THL) has removed the general mask recommendation with three exceptions.
THL said on Thursday that it continues to recommend the use of a face mask in public indoor and public transport for people seeking testing or treatment for a possible coronavirus infection, people with respiratory symptoms, and people who know they have been exposed to a coronavirus infection. virus.
People with symptoms are advised to stay at home until the symptoms go away.
The decision is justified because the use of masks as an independent measure does not significantly prevent the spread of the virus in the current epidemiological situation. Halting the spread of a highly contagious variant of omicron would require restrictive measures with little support.
Although the recommendation has been updated, people can decide at their own discretion whether they should wear the mask, for example indoors where it is difficult to avoid close contact, THL emphasizes.
“Especially those who are not vaccinated, are at least 12 years old, and anyone at high risk of developing a serious form of coronavirus disease, regardless of vaccinations, should consider using a mask that also effectively protects the user.” comments Otto HelveChief Physician of THL.
Regional authorities can still make regional recommendations on the use of masks.
City of Helsinki on Thursday announced it maintains its comprehensive mask recommendation in the metropolitan area despite the THL update. The task force coordinating the regional control of the epidemic will review the situation in the near future.
The recommendation also does not apply to workplaces or workplaces where the use of a mask is justified from the customer’s or occupational safety point of view. Decisions on such regulations are made by employers on the basis of both their own risk assessment and the general guidelines of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health.
Tommi AlankoOccupational Safety Manager of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, told me According to Helsingin Sanomat, it is impossible for workplaces to give general instructions about the mask due to differences in the workplaces.
THL’s comprehensive mask recommendation has been in effect for nearly two years since August 2020.
Aleksi Teivainen – HT