HELSINKI (Reuters) – Two Finnish ministers, together with Prime Minister Sanna Marin, shrugged off suggestions over the weekend to keep away from shut contacts with different folks after being exposed to COVID-19, in accordance to a number of media reviews.
Marin determined not to go away a restaurant on Saturday after being knowledgeable she had been exposed to the coronavirus the day earlier than, she mentioned in a Facebook publish on Monday.
Economic Affairs Minister Mika Lintila attended a floorball match between Finland and Latvia on Sunday regardless of being suggested to keep away from contact with others, Helsingin Sanomat newspaper reported on Wednesday.
The Finnish Health Institute recommends avoiding social contact whereas ready for COVID take a look at outcomes.
Marin and Lintila have been exposed on Friday at a ministerial assembly attended by Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, who on Saturday examined constructive for COVID-19.
Marin mentioned she was at a restaurant when she obtained a cellphone name from her state secretary informing her concerning the publicity.
“He mentioned ministers wouldn’t be quarantined as a result of all of them have been vaccinated twice,” Marin wrote on Facebook, explaining why she determined to proceed socializing and dancing later at a crowded nightclub.
The Prime Minister’s workplace later mentioned it had despatched the exposed ministers two textual content messages on Saturday recommending that they keep away from contact with different folks.
Marin mentioned she had left her official cellphone at residence and as an alternative, had relied on her assistants reaching her on her private cellphone.
Marin has since taken two COVID-19 exams which have been damaging. Lintila has additionally examined damaging.
Finland has seen a surge of recent COVID-19 circumstances up to now months, spurring well being officers to fear concerning the healthcare system being overburdened.
Several massive hospitals across the nation have postponed non-critical surgical procedures and the federal government on Wednesday proposed a vaccine mandate for healthcare staff.
(Reporting by Essi Lehto; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
