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President Niinistö Covid-free, resumes schedule

Finland's President Sauli Niinistö tweeted on Monday that he has tested negative after being exposed to the coronavirus last week.

Tasavallan presidentti Sauli Niinistö saapui Lotta Svärd 100 -juhlavuoden juhlamessuun Helsingin tuomikirkkoon 10. lokakuuta 2021
President Sauli Niinistö pictured here arriving at the Lotta Svärd 100th anniversary celebrations in Helsinki's Lutheran Cathedral on 10 October. Image: Roni Rekomaa / Lehtikuva
  • Yle News

In a tweet on Monday, President Sauli Niinistö announced that he has tested negative for the coronavirus and is resuming his regular routine, adding, "Indeed vaccination provides protection. Awaiting a third."

Niinistö was exposed to the coronavirus last Wednesday at an international holocaust forum held in Malmö, Sweden where he attended breakfast with his Latvian counterpart Egils Levits. President Levits later tested positive for the virus.

President Niinistö's office said on Thursday that he would remain in voluntary quarantine, avoiding contact over the weekend before being tested.

The first visit to Finland by Estonian President Alar Karis, scheduled for last week, was cancelled because of Niinistö's exposure and subsequent quarantine.