SY demands investigation into Covid-era restrictions on freedom of business

Suomen Yrittäjät, the Finnish SME association, calls for an independent investigation into the restrictions applied during the Covid pandemic. During the Covid period, business freedom was restricted significantly and for long periods. Many business owners faced severe difficulties. For example, restaurants and sport centres were ordered closed, and events were cancelled.

“Five years have now passed since the start of the pandemic, without any proper investigation. That’s not good governance. Now, we need to learn everything we can from the pandemic, as the situation could repeat,” says Sanna Lempiäinen, a specialist at Suomen Yrittäjät, the Finnish SME association.

“Some restrictions seemed disproportionate and were kept in force for a long time to be on the safe side. All of this should be reviewed and learned from. Business owners lost their livelihoods, and they were in practice prohibited from running their businesses,” Lempiäinen says.

SY is appealing to the Finnish Government, but believes an independent body should conduct the investigation.

Two years ago on MTV, the then Director General of the Finnish Institute for Welfare and Health, Markku Tervahauta, demanded a thorough investigation into Covid measures and restrictions. However, nothing has happened.

Various scientific studies into the Covid period have already been published, but no studies have been conducted on the necessity and effects of restricting businesses’ operations.

Amendments to Communicable Diseases Act and Emergency Powers Act proceeding

SY also calls for a clear and comprehensible reform of communicable disease regulations to prepare for future pandemics. This work is now under way. In addition, an overhaul of the Emergency Powers Act is also proceeding.

“However, a clear study of the proportionality of the Covid restrictions and their effects on business owners’ business freedom and commerce has not been done.

“It’s very important that the compensation method and application process for the costs of future restrictions and additional obligations are clear and known in advance.”

Further information: specialist Sanna Lempiäinen, 040 9693 112, sanna.lempiainen@yrittajat.fi