With one of the year's most raucous celebrations, May Day or Vappu in Finnish, just a few days away, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) has said that revellers should follow local recommendations to help mitigate the spread of Covid-19.
However, the public health authority has stopped short of issuing specific guidelines on how to celebrate the holiday this weekend.
May Day festivities, which start on Saturday, will inevitably increase the risk of infection, according to Eeva Ruotsalanen, Deputy Chief Physician of the Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District (HUS).
Ruotsalainen reminded people to remain cautious, in particular to protect the elderly and people belonging to risk groups from the virus. While Finland seems to have passed the current wave's Covid-19 peak, these groups are still at serious risk, Ruotsalainen added.
"There is no need to cancel May Day plans, but let's celebrate in a mindful way," she said, urging people to stay home if they are symptomatic and adhering to measures such as mask-wearing and using hand sanitiser.
While the virus mainly spreads through the respiratory tract, it can also be transmitted through hands and surfaces, Ruotsalainen noted, adding that protective measures will also help against the spread of influenza, cases of which are on the rise.
Although the yearly May Day tradition of crowning the Havis Amanda statue in the Helsinki Market Square takes place outdoors, the Ba.2 sub-variant of the omicron virus is highly contagious, which means infections can also occur outside.
Those at risk of serious illness should always use FFP masks while out in public and in crowded outdoor spaces, Ruotsalainen added.