Picture
Light in Saimaa.
Light in Saimaa.

Blog: Dear residents of Imatra, we are living in extraordinary times

Release
17.3.2020 13:55
We will get through this together.

The government of our country has declared a state of emergency in our country due to the escalation of the risk of the corona virus.

OAs the city's management team, together with our experts, we have been closely monitoring the development of the situation for a long time. Our experts have each brought their own valuable point of view to the common table. I can already at this point thank our entire organization for the wonderful work and say that it is a pleasure to be part of our team, which consists of brilliant professionals committed to their work!

During the last few days, we have constantly updated the comprehensive situational picture and evaluated our preparedness. We have outlined the need to limit services, reflecting the current situation, and have been forced to make difficult and radical decisions. Inevitably, more or less incomplete information has been used. Courage and daring to decide is required.

In the end, in our joint meeting on Sunday evening, we made a carefully thought-out recommendation for school children and early childhood education clients to stay home at the beginning of the week as much as it is possible for families.

We were pleased to note that the families with children from Imatra comprehensively followed our recommendation shared on Sunday evening. Thank you.

We achieved our goal, i.e. the fact that hundreds of children no longer gathered at schools on Monday, where close contact is unavoidable.

***

After the country's government's announcement on Monday afternoon, the decision-making power to limit services and freedom of action has now passed to the national level. Almost all municipal services in the city will be closed from Wednesday until mid-April. In the future, our task as a city is to stay up-to-date and be ready to act as required by the situation. I believe that the national guidelines, which required courage and determination, have been implemented in a timely manner and sufficiently extensively to achieve the desired end result.

Naturally, everyone's goal is that the inevitable spread of the virus in Finland takes place in a controlled manner and in such a way that the space, equipment and personnel capacity of the healthcare system is sufficient under all circumstances to treat and care for those who need help in various ways. Therefore, it is important that in the future each of us acts responsibly when deciding how much it is necessary to meet other people and with what seriousness we take the recommendations regarding restrictions on movement and gatherings, hand hygiene and not leaving home to be with other people even with mild flu symptoms.

***

The city management continues to closely monitor the situation and direct the city's operations as required by the situation.

The restrictions of exceptional circumstances mean big changes in everyday life for all of us. For some of us, the situation will even mean real challenges to survive everyday life.

It's time to help and be helped. Time takes care of the affairs of friends, acquaintances and, if necessary, even the friends of a friend, in addition to his own close circle. Time will tell what the power of Imatra means. Together we will get through this too. Let's take responsibility for everyone's well-being together.

The power of Imatra is in us. Let's let it bubble up freely to the extent of its power.

 

Kaisa Heino

Vs. tradeyouth leader

 

#together