Eksote informs: Strong mask recommendation in South Karelia

South Karelia's COVID 19 snapshot group urges work communities to very seriously consider the arrangements for Christmas parties, based on the recommendation to avoid private events of more than 10 people

The Prime Minister and the country's government consider the current corona situation in Finland to be very serious. South Karelia's regional COVID-19 situational group has listened to the government's message and takes the situation seriously. The situation picture group has estimated that the coronavirus epidemic in the South Karelia region is still at a basic level, but the threat of an acceleration phase is great.

Eksote has also taken into account the instructions and recommendations of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (STM) to prevent the spread of the epidemic.

The situation group gives a very strong recommendation for more active use of masks than at present.

- You can already clearly see the fatigue of the situation. Many behave lazily and do not follow recommendations. Unfortunately, the situation does not seem to worry citizens on a large scale. This is worrying in terms of the spread of the virus. The acceleration phase is probably only a matter of time, says the chief infectious disease doctor Pekka Suomalainen.

- Now, own, local actions are central in the treatment of the epidemic. We must take the situation seriously so that we can maintain our good morbidity situation. Citizens should follow the existing recommendations, for example in the use of masks, much better than at present. By following the recommendations, we can avoid new restrictions, for example regarding the use of sports facilities, says the chairman of the regional situation picture group Tuula Karhula.

Extensive face mask recommendation effective 28.11. from

In the South Karelia region, we want to avoid transitioning from the basic level to the acceleration phase and the spreading phase.

As a proactive measure, physical encounters must continue to be avoided, for example by increasing remote work. In public spaces, you should always wear a face mask and take care of hand hygiene in accordance with the recommendations. 

Infections occurring at the workplace are on the rise

Companies and the business world are expected to protect their own employees with face masks or visors and to oblige their customers to use a face mask or visor when doing business.

The strong and extensive face mask recommendation applies to all public indoor spaces, which include, for example, shops, shopping centers, banks, libraries, churches and cultural institutions.

A wider mask recommendation will come into effect in the Eksoten region in secondary education and in the community education of the civic college. Educational institutions are clarifying their instructions for their students. Basic education is not covered by these measures and recommendations.

If necessary, further action will be decided next week

By carefully observing safety intervals, using masks and taking care of hand hygiene, it is possible to reduce the risks associated with events.
- The situation in South Karelia has remained quite good so far. However, it must be noted that when the virus load of the whole country increases and winter is coming, when people are more indoors, there is a risk here too that we will move more quickly to the next epidemic phase, says chief infectious disease doctor Pekka Suomalainen.
- In the big picture, it is precisely the behavior of the people of South Karelia that will decide how we will finally manage during the pandemic. Do we still keep our distance, wear masks, clean our hands and take the test sensitively? The population's own actions are needed to curb the epidemic - each person's own actions are key. Let's fix our lines on our own, says the safety and preparedness manager Kristiina Kapulainen.
- We will monitor the situation until next week. If we can't get the situation to calm down, we will have to consider even bigger restrictions, for example regarding facilities, says Tuula Karhula, chairman of the situation picture group.

For more information:
https://thl.fi/fi/-/juhlakausi-alkaa-vieta-pikkujouluja-turvallisesti-
https://www.avi.fi/web/avi/-/kokoontumisrajoitukset-koskevat-joulukuussa-uudellamaalla-yli-20-henkilon-yleisotilaisuuksia-muualla-etela-suomessa-yli-50-henkilon-tilaisuuksia
 

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)