With daily Covid case figures rising again, due to the Omicron variant, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) brought back a recommendation for people to use face masks in public spaces as well as on public transport.

The updated guidance came into force on Friday and applies to the entire Finnish population 12 years of age and older.

The Helsinki's Regional Transport Authority (HSL) officially reissued its mask rule for commuters in the capital region on Tuesday. HSL has alternated between the use of the terms 'recommendation' and 'obligation,' however, the wording is of no essential difference since the authority lacks jurisdiction to pose any sanctions.

In practice, THL's guidance encourages the use of a mask in situations where it is difficult to avoid close contact, regardless of a person's vaccination status.

"Winter time increases the risk, and the more infections there are in the population, the greater the risk. The risk of infection is also considerably higher indoors than outdoors," THL Director Mika Salminen said in a press release.

As of Friday morning, some 2,000 new coronavirus infections were reported in Finland.

Around 21,000 infections have been reported in the past two weeks, an increase of roughly 4,700 compared to the previous two-week period.

Train passengers required to mask up again

National train service VR has also brought back a mask requirement for passengers. The requirement applies to all long-distance and commuter trains, as well as Allegro carriages.

The rule was added added to travel conditions listed on train tickets.

VR said it hoped that the move will increase the use of masks on trains. Recently, the amount of passengers who chose to wear a mask has varied greatly from region to region, according to the government-owned company.

"With the busy Christmas season still lying ahead, we wanted to introduce the requirement in order to increase travel safety," VR's Director of Passenger Traffic, Topi Simola, said in a statement.

Following the move, train staff are to intervene when passengers are seen without a mask. VR staff have been wearing masks on all trains since autumn 2020.

"However, health reasons can present obstacles to mask use [...] we do not require proof of health barriers and it is enough that staff are informed," VR's press statement reads.