Uproar after PM goes clubbing to 4am after contact with Covid case
Finland's Prime Minister has apologised after she was snapped at a nightclub after the country's foreign minister tested positive for Covid-19.
On Saturday night, Sanna Marin went out in Helsinki with her husband. She said on Facebook she was with a group of people, all of which were fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
Ms Marin was at a restaurant on Saturday evening when she was told by her state secretary she had been exposed to Covid-19.
She said on Facebook she was told there were "no special measures" ministers had to follow, nor would the ministers be asked to quarantine, as they all were fully vaccinated.
"If you have received two vaccines, those who were exposed are not scheduled for a test or quarantine," the PM said.
However, on her work phone, which she did not have with her at the time, she was advised to isolate.
Later that night, a photo of the 36-year-old PM was taken, which caused an uproar among the public.
The Seiska magazine published photos of Ms Marin at a nightclub in Helsinki with her friends and, according to the BBC, the magazine reported that witnesses said she was there until 4am.
"I did wrong. I should have considered the situation more carefully," Ms Marin said in a television interview by public broadcaster Yle on Wednesday night.
Ms Marin wasn't the only minister who was exposed to Covid-19.
Economic Affairs Minister Mika Lintila attended a floorball match between Finland and Latvia on Sunday despite being advised to avoid contact with others, Helsingin Sanomat newspaper reported on Wednesday.
Defence Minister Antti Kaikkonen went to a dinner party on Saturday while Finance Minister Annika Saarikko and Science and Culture Minister Antti Kurvinen cancelled their attendance of the same event to avoid contacts, evening paper Ilta-Sanomat reported on Tuesday.
All three ministers were exposed on Friday at a meeting attended by Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, who on Saturday tested positive.
The prime minister's office later said it had sent the exposed ministers two text messages on Saturday recommending that they avoid contact with other people.
Ms Marin has tested negative for Covid-19 twice, while Mr Kaikkonen and Mr Lintila have also tested negative.
The Finnish Health Institute recommends avoiding social contact while waiting for test results.
On her Facebook post, Ms Marin received plenty of support, with many saying even the PM should be able to enjoy themselves.
"Sanna, again you got to be the target of unnecessary fuss," one person said.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
