Finland’s political leaders explained the country’s decision to impose a state of emergency over coronavirus on Monday, urging Finns to ensure they avoid large crowds and unnecessary social contacts.
The goal of the is to slow the spread of coronavirus and reduce the number of people who might need healthcare, and includes funding for businesses as they face an expected recession.
Before calling the state of emergency, President Sauli Niinistö and the government discussed the measures required to fight the virus.
"The goal of all this is to protect Finns. Even though people are concerned, they are also expecting strong decisions," said President Sauli Niinistö in an interview with Yle.
The government had announced the closure of schools and much of the public sector at a press conference on Monday afternoon.
For a lot of people in Finland that will mean working from home with children also stuck indoors. Niinistö viewed the alternative to these as worse.
"Our way of life will change, we all need each other," said Niinistö. "Of course I believe that we will get through this. But there will be suffering too."