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21.12.2021 | In its negotiations on Tuesday 21 December, the Government discussed the COVID-19 situation and decided on new restrictions and other necessary measures. In addition to increasing vaccination coverage, effective national and regional measures to limit close contacts are needed to slow down the spread of the epidemic. This will allow more time for giving people third vaccine doses.

17.3.2020 | The Government resolution to slow the spread of coronavirus infections and to protect at-risk groups, issued on 16 March 2020, states as follows (section 2):

22.10.2020 | A summary of comments received on the draft government proposal on the organisation of health, social and rescue services is published. It collates the main comments received during the consultation round on the draft government proposal. Respondents welcome the objectives of the reform and agree on its necessity.

4.10.2019 | A third of municipal decision-makers and almost half of the Members of Finnish Parliament or their assistants have been subjected to hate speech due to their official duties or positions of trust. In addition, about a third of the decision-makers consider that hate speech in public debate has increased in recent years. These are the results of a recent study.

8.12.2020 | According to the government proposal, the wellbeing services counties and the City of Helsinki would be responsible for organising rescue services in their respective areas starting at the beginning of 2023. Contract fire brigades could be used to provide these services as at present. The role of central government guidance and direction in rescue services would be strengthened.

7.1.2022 | In its first meeting on Friday 7 January, the ministerial working group on COVID-19 was briefed on the epidemiological situation, the spread of the Omicron variant, the burden on and capacity of the healthcare system, and the progress of vaccinations.

28.12.2021 | Internal border control will be reinstated at Finland’s borders starting on Tuesday 28 December. There will also be other changes to the restrictions on entry, and as of 28 December, the same restrictions will apply to everyone arriving in Finland from abroad. The Government decided on the new restrictions today. The decision will enter into force on 28 December at 15.00 Finnish time and will remain in force until 16 January 2022. 

1.11.2021 | A total of 17 projects will receive funding from the last call for proposals of the programming period 2014–2020, organised in May under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). EU funding to be granted for the projects will amount to approximately EUR 7.5 million. The funded projects will develop the asylum system and promote receptiveness in society, capacity building for legal migration and the implementation of the return system and Finland’s quota refugee programme. 

5.6.2020 | On 5 June, the Government published its policy on the reform of rescue services. The Government proposes that the responsibility for organising rescue services would rest with health and social services counties and the City of Helsinki. Rescue services would continue to be a separate sector working in parallel with the healthcare and social welfare sector.

13.1.2022 | Internal border control will continue and the restrictions on entry will remain largely unchanged until 31 January. However, some exemptions will be made for people who cannot be vaccinated against COVID-19 for medical reasons. The Government decided on these changes at its session on 13 January and they will enter into force on 17 January 2022.

2.6.2021 | The Ministry of the Interior has published a programme for police traffic enforcement and traffic safety for 2021–2030. The programme aims to reduce traffic fatalities, serious injuries, traffic accidents and traffic offences, as well as transportation crime and the grey economy in commercial traffic.

30.6.2021 | Finland needs a migration policy that brings together the areas of responsibilities of different operators. On 30 June, the Ministry of the Interior set up a project to define long-term objectives for Finland’s comprehensive migration policy.

18.12.2020 | Police traffic enforcement is of key importance to improving road safety and combating traffic crime. However, other broad-based, as well as targeted actions are also needed. An action programme for police traffic enforcement and traffic safety for 2021–2024, prepared by the Ministry of the Interior, was sent for comments on 18 December.

22.1.2021 | On 22 January, the Government decided at an extraordinary meeting to tighten border traffic and the recommendations on testing and quarantine.

15.4.2020 | In its negotiations yesterday, Tuesday 14 April 2020, the Government decided to immediately lift the restrictions on movement in the region of Uusimaa. The Government will issue a decree to that effect at the government plenary session, which will begin today at 13.00. The decree will enter into force and the restrictions will be lifted immediately after the session.

15.8.2018 | Radicalisation is not a crime, but when it leads to violence, a radicalised person may be a threat to other people and society. The challenge is how to deal with radicalised persons who cannot be subjected to measures under the Criminal Code. The effective prevention of violent radicalisation requires not only that the police can take the necessary measures but also that the person can be referred to other relevant services, if necessary.

1.2.2021 | The Ministry of the Interior has set up a project to prepare Finland's strategy on expatriate Finns for 2022–2026. The position of expatriates is in a constant state of change, and the aim is to better respond to the changes, for example by means of digitalisation. The intention is that also Finns living abroad will maintain their contacts and opportunities to influence Finnish society.

5.11.2020 | Efforts to combat human trafficking will be reinforced by closer cooperation between authorities, organisations and municipalities. A team investigating human trafficking offences will be established at the Helsinki Police Department, and an action plan to be completed at the beginning of next year will coordinate anti-trafficking work more extensively. Today, different parties took part in a round table discussion hosted by Minister of the Interior Maria Ohisalo.

25.3.2020 | On 25 March 2020, the Government decided to restrict traffic between the Region of Uusimaa and other regions as of 27 March. The restrictions will be in force until 19 April 2020. The purpose of the new restrictions is to prevent coronavirus infections and to slow the spread of the epidemic from Uusimaa to other parts of Finland. On 25 March, the Government submitted to Parliament a decree concerning the use of powers under the Emergency Powers Act relating to the restrictions on movement.

5.3.2018 | An application round for additional funding from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) to be distributed for resettlement was launched on 5 March 2018. The European Commission grants additional funding for resettlement to Member States based on the number of quota refugees resettled by the Member State concerned.