Parliament approves reopening restaurants on June 1 with strict rules

The parliament on Friday passed a law to allow restaurants and cafes to reopen on June 1 after a nearly two-month closure, reported news agency Xinhua.

Based on the Infectious Diseases Act, the special law restricts the opening hours and limits the number of customers at a time to half the normal capacity.

Restaurants throughout the country must close by 11 p.m. and cease alcohol sale one hour earlier. These temporary rules will remain in force until the end of October.

There was broad support in parliament for a motion to allow regional variances in the restrictions in light of the diverse infection rates. However, Krista Kiuru, the minister of family affairs and social services, told the deputies on Friday that the risk entailed would be too great.

Kiuru said the situation would be evaluated in late June and the rules could then be adjusted by the government at provincial level. She also warned that infections could spike again once the restrictions are loosened.

As the capacity restrictions do not apply to street-side terraces and other outdoor venues, restaurants in Finland have been busy expanding their open sky seating.

In Helsinki, Mayor Jan Vapaavuoro announced earlier that a large licensed area will be designated in Senate Square in front of the landmark Cathedral. The large square has traditionally been a venue for social events.