Dödligt virus från Kina orsakar panik (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19)

The government also published a 19-point list of emergency legislation that takes effect on 18 March after approval by parliament on Tuesday.

Authorities have set in motion preparations to close the country’s borders. Passenger traffic to Finland is to be suspended as soon as possible, with the exception of returning Finnish citizens and residents. Similarly, the government said that Finnish citizens and residents should not travel abroad and said that individuals who are out of the country should return immediately.

Freight and shipping is to continue normally during this period, according to the government. Finns and legal residents returning from abroad will face a mandatory two-week quarantine.

The country is also to ban gatherings of more than ten people and close museums, theatres, the national opera, libraries, mobile libraries, hobby facilities and swimming pools, youth clubs and other gathering points and recommended that third sector organisations and religious congregations do the same.

In response to a question from news outlet Demokratti about what 'unnecessary meetings in public places' means in practical terms, Marin said people will still be able to carry out essential errands but they shouldn’t hang around.

All non-emergency activities within the health care sector will be reduced, while coronavirus testing capacities will be raised across the country.