A running enthusiast braves the slippery streets and chilly weather of February in Helsinki/Lehtikuva

A new study put Finland in the spotlight this week when it was unveiled as the most physically active country during the pandemic.

Published in the Journal of Frontiers in Psychology, the study examined cross-cultural health behaviors and the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on perceived wellbeing. It also analysed how different confinement measures in multiple countries led to differences in health outcomes.

Restaurants would be allowed to re-open this month under the government’s preliminary strategy for doing away with the restrictions necessitated by the coronavirus outbreak, writes YLE. (Vesa Moilanen – Lehtikuva)

THE FINNISH GOVERNMENT is intent on removing the restrictions on social life as soon as the coronavirus epidemic begins to loosen its strangle hold on society.

YLE on Thursday reported, citing the still unpublished preliminary exit strategy of the government, that the so-called shutdown is set to end this month, while primary schools are set to resume in-person instruction as soon as possible – likely by the end of the month.

By the resolution on promoting a circular economy adopted today, on 7 April, the Finnish Government committed to reducing the consumption of unrenewable natural resources. The resolution also restricts the use of renewable natural resources in Finland: the total consumption of domestic primary raw materials in 2035 will not exceed the level in 2015*. The resolution is based on a vision that in 2035 the Finnish economy will be based on a carbon-neutral circular economy society.

Finnish startups are attracting international interest, and already more than half of the investments received by Finnish startups come from abroad. The amount invested in Finland by international venture capital (VC) investors has increased ninefold in less than ten years. Since 2013, 272 foreign VC investors from a total of 42 countries have invested in Finnish startups.

Tytti Yli-Viikari, the director general of the National Audit Office of Finland (VTV), was surrounded by members of the media as she was leaving the Parliament Annex in Helsinki on Thursday, 8 April 2021. (Heikki Saukkomaa – Lehtikuva)

TYTTI YLI-VIIKARI, the director general of the National Audit Office of Finland (VTV), has been suspended from duty for the duration of a pre-trial investigation opened into her actions by the National Bureau of Investigation (KRP).

The unanimous decision was made on Thursday by the Chancellery Commission of the Parliament.

Recent figures from the Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare (THL) have revealed that Finland has the lowest rate of induced abortions among Nordic countries. 

It also has the strictest abortion laws, being the only Nordic country where women need to acquire the signature of at least one doctor (in some cases two) to terminate an unwanted pregnancy. 

LEHTIKUVA / AFP

Eight months after mild COVID-19, one in ten people still has at least one moderate to severe symptom that is perceived as having a negative impact on their work, social or home life, according to a new study.

The most common long-term symptoms are a loss of smell and taste and fatigue. This is according to a study published in the journal JAMA, conducted by researchers at Danderyd Hospital and Karolinska Institutet in Sweden.

Auto 2018, Helsinki, Messukeskus.

The economic impact of Messukeskus Helsinki, Expo and Convention Centre on the surrounding business community shrank by 80 per cent when operations had to be completely shut down in the first pandemic year 2020. As a result, restaurants, hotels, taxis and other businesses in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area lost a revenue stream of almost EUR 300 million.

The economic impact of Messukeskus on the Helsinki Metropolitan Area in 2019 was a record EUR 357 million and the employment impact was 4,850 person-years.

The National Audit Office of Finland (VTV) has found itself in the eye of a media storm following reports about, for example, its recent shift in operational focus. (Antti Aimo-Koivisto – Lehtikuva)

MEMBERS of the Parliament have expressed their surprise at recent reports about changes in the operational focus of the National Audit Office of Finland (VTV).

“We haven’t received any kind of written statement about a collapse in auditing operations, nor have we been able to read anything of the kind between the lines,” Outi Alanko-Kahiluoto (Greens), the chairperson of the Parliament’s Audit Committee, said to Helsingin Sanomat on Tuesday.

The Tampere Worker's Theatre plans to lay off 120 employees this year/Lehtikuva

Multiple industries in Finland have been hit hard by coronavirus restrictions, with the greatest losses suffered by the restaurant, hospitality, arts and entertainment sectors. 

According to Helsingin Uutiset, the  arts and recreation industry (which includes cultural, entertainment and recreational activities such as music, theater, museums and sports) in the country is facing losses of up to 700 million euros this year due to the ongoing pandemic. 

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, one in five young people have become unemployed or laid off and as many as 40 per cent lost their summer job or internship last year. OP and the association Economy and Youth TAT have taken concrete actions to support summer jobs for young people and encourage other businesses to hire young people.
More than one in four young people say they experience daily financial stress,  as found in the DigiConsumers and CoronaConsumers surveys funded by the Strategic Research Council, an independent body within the Academy of Finland.

The National Emergency Supply Agency (HVK) in April 2020 took delivery of face masks that, upon further inspection, proved unfit for hospital use. (Kalle Parkkinen – Lehtikuva)

THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY SUPPLY AGENCY (HVK) has won a legal action to invalidate its acquisition of face masks from Look Medical Care, an Estonia-based personal care company owned by Finnish entrepreneur Tiina Jylhä.

An Estonian court yesterday upheld an earlier ruling in the case to allow the agency to recover its 2.6-million-euro initial payment, equivalent to half of the acquisition value, according to STT.

“It’s up to everyone of us what the summer will be like,” said Prime Minister Sanna Marin (SDP). (Jussi Nukari – Lehtikuva)

THE GOVERNMENT of Prime Minister Sanna Marin (SDP) on Friday released its preliminary strategy for removing the restrictions necessitated by the coronavirus epidemic in a gradual and controlled fashion.

“The goal is to provide a vision for the coming months for citizens, businesses and other members of society,” Marin summarised at the Government Palace in Helsinki.

When moving to another city to raise a family, there are a number of aspects you need to take into consideration. From finance and childcare to attractions and general health, choosing the right city plays a vital role in the upbringing of your family.

CIA Landlord have looked into the best cities to raise a family, analysing the cost of rent, childcare and cost of bills alongside the number of schools, attractions, quality of life and pollution.

Prime Minister Sanna Marin (SDP) spoke to reporters outside the House of the Estates in Helsinki on Wednesday, 7 April 2021. (Heikki Saukkomaa – Lehtikuva)

PRIME MINISTER Sanna Marin (SDP) on Wednesday revealed that she is “cautiously optimistic” about life returning to returning to relative normalcy by Midsummer in Finland, reports Helsingin Sanomat.

“I don’t think it’s impossible, but it isn’t possible to say anything for sure. The uncertainty is linked to what we’re having to deal with,” she commented to journalists outside the House of the Estates in Helsinki.