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Eksote informs: The situational group is concerned about the population's ability to cope
South Karelia's regional COVID-19 situational group stated at its meeting on January 26.1.2021, XNUMX that the coronavirus epidemic is still accelerating in the South Karelia region. The three phases of an epidemic are the base level, the acceleration phase and the spreading phase.
The 20-person gathering limit set by the Regional Administration Agency (AVI) is in effect until the end of January, which means all indoor and outdoor events, including recreational activities as a recommendation. The regional situational group has previously put into effect a 10-person gathering restriction for private individuals after South Karelia moved into the acceleration phase. According to preliminary information, AVI will continue the corresponding restriction until the end of February.
The situation picture group hopes that South Karelia will carefully follow the instructions, recommendations and restrictions on corona prevention.
- The team sports restrictions put into effect last week have raised questions. In team sports, we have been asked to increase the number of people in training to about 25 people, so that the fun remains. However, there are valid reasons for the person restrictions, and the valid AVI gathering limit of 20 people also applies to outdoor events for hobby activities. Possible large mass exposures make our infection tracking difficult, in which case there is a risk that not all infections can be traced, which increases the risk of the spreading phase. In this case, the restrictions would be even tighter, says the chairman of the regional situation picture group Tuula Karhula.
The mask recommendation should be taken seriously
Masks are widely used in South Karelian schools. In schools, it has been understood that the use of a mask for those over 12 years of age enables close teaching in basic education.
Attention must be paid to the use of masks in public transport in the future, and the situation cannot afford to be complacent. It is hoped that everyone over the age of 12 will wear a mask in public transport. In school rides, the mask recommendation is valid for everyone. There is no harm in using masks even for those younger than this.
- There is no obstacle to younger people also being able to use a mask, as long as there is sufficient understanding of the matter, emphasizes Karhula.
The use of masks by young people in shopping centers has decreased alarmingly.
- Young people enjoy being in large groups, where safety intervals are not implemented, and masks are not remembered to be used, or there may not be a reason to use them. The zero days of infections shown in Ekoten's table are sometimes updated with a delay, so reading the table daily can also create a misleading impression of the actual number of infections. We update the readings in the table as we receive information about infections. In addition to the Huslab tests carried out in the Eksote area, information is gathered for us through occupational health services, from private operators and from the areas of other hospital districts, opens Karhula.
The snapshot group hopes to find motivation to use masks in the hope of returning to normal more quickly. You should also be able to take into account a safety distance of more than two meters.
Second-level distance and local education is evaluated according to the situation
It is recommended that distance education of the second level be extended until February 28.2.2021, XNUMX. In the case of the second level, classroom teaching is considered every week, when even in upper secondary schools the entrants leave for study leave
The coronavirus variant causes uncertainty in the disease situation, so we only switch to face-to-face teaching if possible. The municipalities in the region are preparing for the changing situation by making their own plans independently. The organizers of the teaching have the opportunity to define the face-to-face teaching that is considered necessary.
For more information:
More information for event organizers on the website of the Regional Administration Office
Current recommendations
Private events:
A gathering limit of 10 people is valid for private events.
Organization of teaching:
Second-level education is recommended to be moved to distance education from December 7.12.2020, 28.2.21, with the exception of face-to-face education deemed necessary by the organizer of the education. Distance education is recommended to be continued at least until XNUMX.
Early childhood education and basic education will continue as before.
The mask recommendation is valid for everyone over the age of 12 and on all school rides.
Teaching organizers are also given a mask recommendation on school transport. The organizer of the lesson will provide masks for the children and young people who are being transported to school. Other children and young people using public transport get the masks themselves.
Jugeneral premises:
Library events are canceled and lounges, such as newsrooms, are recommended to be closed. Borrowing and returning books continues. You are only allowed to do business in the library for the time necessary for taking care of things, and we ask that you prefer advance reservations. Library customers are strongly advised to wear a mask.
The number of customers in museums and youth facilities is limited to 20 people. Youth activities are recommended to be partially moved online, but youth facilities can be open at the discretion of the municipalities, taking into account the 20-person limit.
Group hobby activities:
Indoor group hobby activities for people over the age of 20 are recommended to be suspended in team and contact sports.
Group hobby activities for children and young people can be continued using special consideration, taking into account the limit of 20 people for both indoor and outdoor hobby activities. In group hobby activities, the risks related to the nature of the sport must be taken into account. If the hobby activity is not interrupted, the instructions of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health must be taken into account that participants and accompanying children must be able to avoid close contact with each other.
The aim is to secure the training of professional and competitive athletes in such a way that training can be continued if it is safe and the guidelines regarding gathering restrictions and gatherings can be followed. Athletes may gather 20 people at a time.
Match and game operations
If the matches/games are played so-called for empty stands (there is no audience), it is not an audience event. In this case, the game is not prohibited under the order of the regional administrative agency.
If the public is present, the occasion is subject to the order of the regional administrative agency and the limit of 20 people. When spectators are separated from players and maintenance staff (e.g. in a separate stand), spectators are subject to their own 20-person limit, and players, including officials and maintenance staff, are subject to their own 20-person limit.
Travel:
Travel between Finland and Russia should be avoided.
It is recommended to avoid all movement to areas in the spreading phase. Movement should be avoided, especially in areas where the coronavirus situation is more difficult than in South Karelia. Travel to northern ski resorts and abroad should be avoided. Similarly, for example, tournament trips between provinces are not recommended.
Telecommuting:
All employers in South Karelia are recommended to organize remote work in all tasks where it is even temporarily possible. If remote work is not possible, it is recommended that the employer instructs the use of a face mask in all workplaces, even if keeping safety distances is possible. Meals and coffee breaks should be staggered. Business and official trips and local training events are not recommended.
Mask recommendation:
The mask recommendation is valid in public transport, including school rides and taxi drivers and passengers.
Otherwise, the mask recommendation for the acceleration phase is valid according to THL's instructions for over 12 years old:
• Persons applying for a coronavirus test on the way to sample collection and before the test result is ready, if there is a necessary reason to move outside the home
• Travelers arriving in Finland from a risk area when they move from the point of entry to quarantine or if they have a necessary reason to move outside their home during quarantine.
• In elementary schools from the sixth grade and in secondary educational institutions (including upper secondary schools) and universities
• In all work communities, as well as indoor spaces for hobby and volunteer activities, if more than one person works and stays in the same space.
• In public indoor spaces and public events (Shops and shopping centers, post offices, banks, libraries and other similar indoor spaces / Spaces used for exercise or sports and their monitoring (at least public spaces and changing rooms) / Swimming pools, spas and saunas (public spaces and changing spaces) / Churches and other premises of religious communities / Concert halls and other premises used for the performance of live music / Cinemas and other premises used for the presentation of films and other similar audiovisual works / Museums and galleries / Amusement and theme parks and attractions if indoor / Facilities used for gambling and betting services)
Customer service points must be equipped with protective plexes. For those working in customer service, the employer must distribute masks or protective visors to employees who have to work less than 1,5 meters away from other people.
Proceedings:
It is not recommended to organize events. During the acceleration phase, events of less than 20 people can be organized, if you are able to follow the instructions of the Department of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Education and Culture regarding safe distances and hygiene practices with absolute precision and in all respects.
