Best way to be positive is to stay negative

The key to a successful May Day is to celebrate in line with the coronavirus restrictions. We are reminded of this by the City of Turku, Hospital District of Southwest Finland, area's institutions of higher education with their student unions, Student Village Foundation of Turku as well as the police.

Coronavirus restrictions have a strong effect on May Day celebrations this year as well. The City of Turku and a wide range of operators encourage the residents of Turku and all people in Southwestern Finland to celebrate May Day safely.

Today on 27 April, we are launching a joint social media campaign, "Negative Vappu, Negative May Day". The campaign is targeted at 18–30-years-olds, but we hope it reaches all May Day celebrators in the area.

– The desire to see people and to gather to celebrate is great at the moment, especially now that we are seeing an improvement to the coronavirus situation. However, we hope that everyone will take the restrictions into account in their celebrations, says Saara Malila, the Communications Manager of the City of Turku. 

The message of the campaign "best way to be positive is to stay negative" refers to the coronavirus test results but gives room for other interpretations as well. In social media, the May Day celebrators are encouraged to share pictures and other content on how they are celebrating "Negative Vappu" in line with the restrictions and recommendations – with a hint of humour, of course.

– The campaign aims to remind people in a positive way that now is the time to stay negative for everyone's sake, Malila summarises. The whole Southwest Finland is still in the community transmission phase of the coronavirus epidemic, and it is still important to get tested right away if you have any symptoms.

The campaign is organised by the City of Turku, Hospital District of Southwest Finland, Southwestern Finland Police Department, University of Turku, Åbo Akademi University, Turku University of Applied Sciences as well as HUMAK University of Applied Sciences with its student unions, and Student Village Foundation of Turku.

The campaign takes place this week on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

#negativevappu