In U-turn, Finland to recommend remote working after Covid-19 surge

Published August 5, 2020
Health authorities said earlier on Wednesday that 29 new cases had been recorded over 24 hours. — File photo
Health authorities said earlier on Wednesday that 29 new cases had been recorded over 24 hours. — File photo

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.

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.

Opinion

Editorial

Sustainable path?
Updated 13 Jun, 2026

Sustainable path?

The FY27 budget is the first clear signal that the government is ready to transition from stabilisation to growth.
Prioritising education
13 Jun, 2026

Prioritising education

THOUGH the improvement in the country’s literacy rate may be slight, as highlighted by the Economic Survey, it ...
Poverty’s rise
13 Jun, 2026

Poverty’s rise

AS attention turns to the government’s plans for the coming fiscal year, one set of figures deserves particular...
A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...