|
 The decision comes as new variants contribute to a sharp rise in
infections in the country, which has already closed its borders. The
state of emergency would also allow the government to further shut
schools and limit movement between regions.
"The government sees it necessary that we all have fewer contacts,"
Prime Minster Sanna Marin told a news conference. "Everyone now has
the opportunity to impact how the spring and summer will turn out."
Several Finnish regions have seen a rapid rise in COVID-19
infections in the past two weeks, with outbreaks among skiers in
Lapland and workers at shipping yards and construction sites.
[to top of second column] |
 Finland, among the European
countries least affected by the virus so far,
has recorded 58,064 cases and 742 deaths since
the start of the pandemic with 210 people
currently hospitalized.
(Reporting by Essi Lehto, Editing by Michael
Kahn and Catherine Evans)
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