Eksotel's strong wish for the implementation of Section 58g of the Infectious Diseases Act starting Friday in the province

South Karelia's regional COVID-19 situational group met for an extra meeting on March 17.3. On the agenda of the meeting was section 58 g of the Infectious Diseases Act, which was already discussed yesterday.

Eksote presented strong arguments for the introduction of section 58 g.

- The needs for medical care have significantly increased and led to a threat to the sufficiency of human resources in the future, confirms the chairman of the situation picture group Tuula Karhula.

There are also concerns about the adequacy of the labor force in the operations of Eksoten's nursing profit area and outpatient health care.

- The section is now presented for use in the entire province. Although the infections are concentrated in Lappeenranta and Imatra at the moment, in South Karelia people constantly move across municipal borders, for example for work or business, explains Karhula.

The conditions for the introduction of the section have been reviewed, and after it has been confirmed that they have been met, AVI has been asked for a decision on the introduction of section 58 g of the Infectious Diseases Act for the period 19.3.2021–31.3.2021. Outside of the decision, it is requested to limit the hobby activities of children born in 2008 and younger.

- We want to inform the companies about the requested decision in advance, so that the companies have the opportunity to take the decision into account in their own operations, says Karhula.

The decision will mean that the operator must close the facilities referred to in section 58 g. However, the facilities can be used if the activity is limited so that a maximum of 10 people stay indoors and a maximum of 50 people stay outdoors at the same time. However, the operators must take into account the new obligations of the Infectious Diseases Act regarding measures to prevent the spread of the corona epidemic. In South Karelia, the activities are supervised by the environmental authorities of the cities of Lappeenranta and Imatra. The population can report their observations regarding violations of the sections of the Infectious Diseases Act to the registers of environmental activities.

- Based on AVI's order, the gathering limit of six people still applies to public events and the situational group has recommended that private events of more than six people are not organized either. In the area of ​​the South Karelia hospital district, a decision according to section 58 d of the Infectious Diseases Act is also valid. In addition, the regional administrative agency has now been recommended to issue an order in accordance with section 58 g of the Infectious Diseases Act to close facilities that cause a high risk of disease, such as gyms. Alternatively, based on the decision according to section 58 g, it is possible to use indoor spaces if there are no more than 10 customers or participants in them at the same time. The corresponding number of participants in the outdoor premises is 50. However, public events in the premises cannot be organized for more than six people, explains the Inspector General of the Regional Administrative Agency Oona Mölsä.

For more information: https://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/2016/20161227#L6P58g

Eksote is recruiting substitutes

Personnel transfers have been made at Eksote, among other things, to increase testing capacity. This causes a shortage of personnel in other Eksote operations. Temporary substitutes and gig work can be applied for by nursing professionals and students in the field. Health and nurses with valid vaccination permits will also be needed as spring progresses.

- If there is a potential workforce in the area, I recommend applying for a job, confirms Karhula.

The applicant must register in the Kuntarekry system in order to submit a job application​​. Eksotel will contact applicants in the order in which applications are received. If you have any questions regarding recruitment, please contact Eksote's recruitment services.

More information for the media:

Tuula Karhula, chairman of the snapshot group, director of health and elderly services, Eksote, tel. 040 194 4936, wind.bearexote.fi (tuula[dot]karhula[at]eksote[dot]fi)

Kristiina Kapulainen, secretary of the situation picture group, safety and preparedness manager, Eksote, phone 040 651 1791, kristiina. kapulainenexote.fi (kristiina[dot]kapulainen[at]eksote[dot]fi)