On 12 August 2021, the Regional State Administrative Agency of Southern Finland has made a decision to tighten the assembly restrictions in the municipalities of Espoo, Helsinki, Kauniainen and Vantaa as of 20 August 2021. The decision is valid until September 12, 2021.

As a result of the decision, public events and general meetings can be organized in regionally limited outdoor spaces in Espoo, Helsinki, Kauniainen and Vantaa, with a maximum of 50 people.

Derogation arrangements may derogate from the limits on the total audience. This requires that

• Several auditoriums or demarcated areas for the public are available on the premises
• the audience participating in the event may be seated in their own seating or in their own outdoor areas in separate auditoriums for up to 50 people or in public areas; and
• in them, it is actually possible for customers and participants and groups to avoid close contact with each other and safety can be ensured by following the instructions issued by the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Department of Health and Welfare on 31.5.2021.

In addition, a clear protection zone must be established between the blocks in use. Each block must have its own routes, services (such as possible catering services and sanitary facilities) and event staff. The blocks can use the same services if the timing of their use can be staggered and the surfaces are properly cleaned between the blocks.

”With this last-minute decision made by the authorities, it would be impossible to arrange the Helsinki Boat-Afloat Show 2021. We have a clear view of how a peaceful outdoor event can be conducted in a covid-19-safe manner so that it is actually possible for participants to avoid close contact, which, according to the definition of the Communicable Diseases Act, means physical contact outdoors. Finnboat has also communicated this to the decision-making authorities, but the authorities' understanding of the different features of various events does not seem to be sufficient and reflects the infection chains caused by the festival summer", tells Jarkko Pajusalo, CEO of the Finnish Marine Industries Federation Finnboat.

”According to Section 58d of the Communicable Diseases Act, the decision must indicate that the operator can fulfill its obligations by limiting the number of customers, by arranging customer locations or facilities, or in another way that takes into account the special features of its operations. However, the decision does not take into account the special features of the operations mentioned, so we consider the 12.8.2021 decision by the Regional State Administrative Agency of Southern Finland to be in violation of Section 58 d of the Infectious Diseases Act. We are considering action in this regard. Unfortunately, we have to cancel the Boat-Afloat show in Helsinki, citing the decision made by the Regional State Administrative Agency of Southern Finland on 12 August 2021", Pajusalo says.