Finland's government is set to reintroduce restrictions on bars and restaurants across regions considered to be in the acceleration phase of the pandemic.
The new measures will come into force from Saturday 31 July, and will see alcohol service end by midnight and doors shut by 1am. Restrictions will also see normal customer capacity reduced to three quarters in restaurants, and to half in bars.
The recent spike in coronavirus figures prompted the government to review the current regulations regarding bars and restaurants.
The Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District (HUS), reported 379 new infections on Thursday while Pirkanmaa region saw its highest number of daily cases, 93, since the pandemic began.
The tightened measures will apply to all 11 hospital districts that have entered the acceleration phase. Recent additions include the regions of Kainuu, Kanta-Häme, Central Finland, Northern Savonia, Satakunta and North Karelia.
No restrictions apply on the opening hours or customer numbers of regions in the base level of the pandemic. These are currently Åland, Southern Ostrobothnia, Northern Ostrobothnia, Central Ostrobothnia, Southern Savonia, Ostrobothnia, South Karelia and Lapland.