On 25 March 2020, the Government proposed to Parliament that traffic between the region of Uusimaa and other regions in Finland be restricted from 27 March to 19 April 2020. Restrictions are imposed to prevent the spread of coronavirus from Uusimaa to other parts of the country.
– Each and every one of us must now take personal responsibility to prevent the spread of coronavirus. This calls for a joint effort between all of us. We must now protect people at higher risk as effectively as possible and reduce the overload on the health care system, says National Police Commissioner Seppo Kolehmainen .
Seppo Kolehmanen continues that, in the first days, the police will conduct visible control to ensure that people are informed of the restrictions and are able to comply. Roadblocks will be set up on the access roads to the region of Uusimaa and 24/7 checkpoints on the main roads and major routes. The provision of information will also be more effective.
– We will of course continue control later as well, but the main responsibility for doing the right thing lies with each and every one of us, regardless of visible control measures, the scope of this control, or the amount of the fine to be imposed for violating the restrictions, Kolehmainen says.
According to Kolehmainen, while controlling compliance with the restrictions on movement and residence, the officers will exercise minor police powers, such as advice, requests and orders. They will check people's reasons for travel and, if necessary, advise those who violate the restrictions to go back home or leave the region. A fine will only be imposed for a serious violation and negligence. A violation of restrictions on movement and residence is punishable under the Emergency Powers Act. If the violation is clear and simple, the case may be heard in summary proceedings.
You must have a valid reason for crossing the regional border
As a rule, the restrictions on movement apply to all those who have no valid reason to travel between the region of Uusimaa and other regions in Finland.
– You must postpone all your trips between Uusimaa and other parts of Finland unless they are absolutely necessary. It is up to all of us how soon we can go back to normal.
Urgent emergecy duties always come first
Kolehmainen would like to remind that duties such as controlling traffic and various restrictions on movement as well as cordoning off places are actually daily police duties; the scale of the restrictions and the huge number of people affected by them will pose a challenge.
‒ Up to 700 police officers may be needed to control compliance with the restrictions on movement only. Nevertheless, all urgent emergency duties will be dealt with. They always come first, says Kolehmainen.
According to Kolehmainen, the police departments of the region of Uusimaa will set up an incident response team to ensure compliance with the restrictions. This team will be led by the Helsinki Police Department.
‒ We must keep physical distance from each other but we still need emotional closeness. Let's talk to our friends and senior family members over the phone. Neighbourly help and local home help services will help us cope together, Kolehmainen says.
Restrictions on movement in Uusimaa in brief:
You may
return to your place of residence.
If it is absolutely necessary for you to travel, you may do so in the following cases:
to perform official duties
to go to work, exercise a profession or perform the duties of an elected official
to fulfil a statutory duty
because of the death of an immediate family member
to visit your children to exercise your right of access
for other serious personal reasons.
You may not travel at leisure.
At checkpoints, be prepared to give, orally or in writing, an adequate reason for crossing the Uusimaa border. The police will assess the necessity for travel in each individual case.
