Finnish Prime Minister, Sanna Marin has apologised for dancing in a Helsinki nightclub just hours after she was knowingly exposed to coronavirus.
The world’s youngest Prime Minister is in a bit of hot water this morning after a gossip magazine published photos of her dancing in a Helsinki nightclub into the wee hours of the morning.
There’s nothing wrong with having a good boogie, and the image of a Prime Minister letting loose in the club is absolutely priceless. But the criticism corresponds to the fact that the 36-year-old knowingly came in contact with a staff member who had tested positive for Covid-19, just hours earlier.
Marin acknowledges that she should have checked the guidance she was given after her foreign minister, Pekka Haavisto tested positive, admitting on Facebook, “My husband and I … had been out to eat, been shopping in town, seen friends and also spent time (enjoying) the evening and nightlife.”
She continued in the post, “I should have used better consideration on Saturday night… I’m really sorry that I didn’t understand how to do this.”
In her defence, Marin was told that legally, she wasn’t required to isolate. However, the press and public of Finland aren’t impressed with her lack of professional judgement as their country’s leader.
Finnish broadcaster MTV3 published a poll revealing that two-thirds of respondents viewed the night out as a “serious mistake”.
Finance minister, Annika Saarikko had a cheeky dig at the PM without directly criticising her, telling the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper that she was glad to be at home when she received a text telling her to isolate.
Sanna Marin has been widely applauded for her efforts to minimise the effects of the pandemic in Finland and held a public approval rating of 85 per cent last year.
But in the last fortnight, infection rates have been at a record high, with 308 cases per 100,000 people, and eight cases of the new Omicron variant.
The Finnish Prime Minister is now isolating at home but hopefully, it won’t be long until she can slip her dancing shoes back on.
