Eksote informs: In South Karelia, there are outbreaks of infection, still in the acceleration phase

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 transferred to distance learning starting on 7.12.2020 December XNUMX by the organizer of the education with the exception of classroom teaching deemed necessary. Distance education is recommended to be continued at least until 31.3.21.

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.

Public spaces:

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.

Children's and young people's game activities or camping trips are not recommended within the tasked province or between hospital districts. The recommendation is valid until March 31.3.2021, XNUMX, unless there are clarifications from the national level.

The youth sports academy operating in the cities of Imatra and Lappeenranta can continue to operate if all valid safety instructions can be followed. It is not recommended to mix different age groups, unless they normally meet in hobby activities.

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. There can be 20 people at a time, including athletes and coaches.

Adult Championship level and 1st division match and game activities

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.

Matches and games are allowed for adult SM, 1-div and U20 teams, if a South Karelian team participates in the games and matches/tournaments.

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 the 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 primary schools from the sixth grade and in secondary educational institutions (including upper secondary schools) and universities
• In all work communities, as well as in the indoor spaces of 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 others facilities of religious communities / Concert halls and other facilities used for the performance of live music / Cinemas and other facilities 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 2 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.

Additional information for event organizers on the website of the Regional Administration Office: https://avi.fi/usein-kysyttya-koronaviruksesta

The situation in the rest of Finland and the restrictions and recommendations valid in the regions of other hospital districts can be seen on the website of the Institute of Health and Welfare under the section Situation of regions. The link to the page can also be found on Eksoten's page www.eksote.fi/koronavirus

The phase of the current epidemic in South Karelia is determined by the infectious disease authorities together with the region's COVID-19 situational picture group. South Karelia's COVID-19 snapshot group includes representatives from South Karelia's social and health district, municipalities, the Department of Health and Welfare, the regional administration agency and the ELY center. In addition to the number and growth of infections, defining the stage of the epidemic is also influenced by, for example, the ability to explain the chains of infection and whether the infections originate from one's own area or from elsewhere. The epidemic situation can change quickly locally or regionally, even if the national situation is calm. The regional COVID-19 situation picture group meets weekly or more often if necessary.