Finland is to reintroduce remote working as cases rise – despite dropping the measures just days ago
- Cases of coronavirus in Finland totalled 7,512, with 331 deaths, as of today
- The Scandinavian country plans to reinstate working from home as cases rise
- The recommendation in favour of remote working had ended at the end of July
Finland plans to reintroduce a recommendation to work from home whenever possible just days after dropping it, due to a rise in COVID-19 cases, the minister in charge of managing the epidemic said on Wednesday.
Health authorities said earlier on Wednesday that 29 new cases had been recorded over 24 hours, raising the seven-day total to 98 from 52 in the previous seven days.
‘The rise in infections gives reason to consider continuing remote working …where it is possible,’ Minister of Social Affairs and Health Aino-Kaisa Pekonen wrote on Twitter, adding she had asked for official guidelines to be updated accordingly.
Passengers ask for instructions at the COVID-19 Health Information Point of Helsinki-Vantaa Airport in Vantaa, Finland August 3, 2020
The recommendation in favour of remote working had ended at the end of July.
New infections remained very low throughout June and July, allowing Finns to enjoy their summer holiday season in relative security but prompting some to flout social distancing rules.
Finland’s COVID-19 epidemic peaked in March and April but the quick introduction of containment measures including travel restrictions and the closure of schools and restaurants helped curb the number of infections.
Cases totalled 7,512, with 331 deaths, as of Wednesday.
A drive-in testing site for the COVID-19 at the Helsinki University Hospital in Helsinki, Finland on Friday, 31st July, 2020