The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (STM) has said that the Covid-19 epidemic in Finland has stabilised, hence the Finnish government has decided to withdraw the nationwide recommendation on remote working by the end of February.

Companies will shift to a hybrid approach of in-office and remote work after the home-working guideline expires on February 28, according to the media reports. Employers will be responsible for deciding risk levels, which should be based on a review of the epidemiological situation by hospital districts and health authorities. Employees must be consulted as well.

Hygiene and protection measures must be continued at work to guarantee health safety, with STM advising work arrangements that assist avoid close contact among employees. 

The Omicron variant appears to be milder among populations with high vaccination coverage, according to the Ministry. Although those who have been twice vaccinated can become ill, vaccination protects against the more dangerous forms of the disease. Omicron-infected people also require less hospital care, according to STM.

Despite the fact that the Covid-19 outbreak has decreased in over the last week, the need for hospital treatment has remained strong. Covid has a total of 359 patients in hospital in Finland as of today, which is somewhat higher than a week ago. Meanwhile, 30 patients remain in intensive care, unchanged over the last week.

So far, 88.7% of people aged 18 and over in Finland have gotten at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, with 86.1 percent receiving at least two doses.

All people over the age of 18, but especially vulnerable people and those over 60, should receive the third dose of the vaccine. On Thursday, the Ministry also announced the formation of a working group to assess Finland's social and healthcare system's preparation for probable future pandemic waves.

This group of specialists will propose policies in accordance with the country's "hybrid strategy," which aims to stabilise society, assist aftercare and reconstruction, and prepare for a worldwide pandemic which is still ongoing.

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