Disruptive behaviour at restaurants and nightclubs has decreased significantly since the introduction of the Covid pass.

"For one reason or another, all the disruptions that usually occur in restaurants are now minimal. These include, for example, people who have to be removed from the premises and pickpocketing," says Aku Vikström, CEO of NoHo Partners.

Securitas, which provides security services, has also noticed that there are now fewer incidents in bars and restaurants, says Business Director Teemu Balk.

A similar trend has also been observed in the restaurants owned by the Night People Group.

"Security staff say that there has been very little disruptive behaviour compared to the past. The Covid pass may be a significant reason, since the number of customers has been quite good and alcohol consumption has remained at about the same level," says the company's CEO, Antti Raunio.

The Night People Group runs popular Helsinki nightclubs such as Apollo, Baarikärpänen, Kaivohuone and Maxine. NoHo, meanwhile, operates the Old Student House (aka Vanha), Pub Ikkuna and Henry's Pub.

A direct conclusion between the Covid pass and the improved behaviour cannot be drawn until more data has been collected and analysed, says Vikström. However, the reduction in disruption and the introduction of the Covid pass have occurred at the same time.

"Now that people have to present the QR code of the Covid pass at the door in addition to an identity card, there is a slightly tighter screening of the condition customers are in when they enter the premises," he says.

Stricter rules since last weekend

On Sunday, stricter restaurant restrictions came into force in regions deemed to be in the community spread phase of the pandemic. Bars and restaurants do not require a Covid pass may not serve alcohol after 5 pm.

The Covid pass law entered into force on 16 October, based on the EU's Digital Covid-19 certificate. Since then, it has been required for an increasing range of non-essential activities that are covered by restrictions.

Residents of Finland can download the EU Digital Covid Certificate from the My Kanta site and save it on their phone as a PDF file or print it out on paper.

Besides restaurants and nightclubs, the pass may be required at public events, gyms and other indoor sports and fitness venues, swimming baths and spas, dance venues and facilities used for group activities, amusement and theme parks, indoor areas at zoos, indoor playgrounds and indoor play areas, as well as in museums, exhibition spaces and other similar cultural venues, according to the health institute THL.