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The situation group informs: In South Karelia, stricter corona prevention measures will be taken
South Karelia's regional COVID-19 situational group stated on 2.3. at the meeting: The coronavirus epidemic is spreading in the South Karelia region.
AVI's decision-making has been delayed due to the national situation. According to the information received by the situation picture group, AVI will make a decision on the gathering limit of six people as soon as possible during this week. The regional situation group has set 25.2. put into effect the six-person gathering limit for private individuals and notes that it is now also recommended that institutions switch to only remote meetings. All gatherings and close contacts outside the home should be avoided whenever possible.
The situation picture group hopes that South Karelia will carefully follow the instructions, recommendations and restrictions on corona prevention.
Last Thursday, a decision was made in the situation picture group to move to the spreading phase, because the incidence rate in the area has been growing rapidly, and the situation has been worrying. The prevalence of the mutated virus in South Karelia has risen considerably.
The situation picture group recommends that the municipalities in South Karelia immediately implement all the restrictions and recommendations concerning the spread phase and level 2, which the municipality can independently decide on. The situation picture group recommends that the Regional Administrative Office of Southern Finland make a decision on the implementation of the temporary Section 58 d of the Infectious Diseases Act immediately. The conditions of Section 58 g of the Infectious Diseases Act are not yet met in the region. AVI will make its own decisions as soon as possible, when they can be prepared.
- According to preliminary information, 80% of South Karelia's coronavirus infections are currently mutations, so large mass exposures and large clusters of infections are very possible and, unfortunately, even probable. Now we need to quickly take measures to combat the corona virus, so that we can stop the situation and turn in a better direction, explains the chairman of the situation picture group Tuula Karhula.
- The coronavirus spreads from one person to another. The best way to fight infections is to reduce contacts between people, this is also what we aim for with the restrictions that come into force today. I would ask everyone to think about how you can reduce contacts in your own life?
- It is important to maintain a safe distance of at least two meters from other people in situations where it is necessary to meet other people, for example when going to the grocery store, Karhula advises.
In South Karelia, infection tracking must be secured in order to slow down the spread of the coronavirus with the help of quarantines. There are worrying examples from Finland of the weakening of infection control. The mutant virus spreads efficiently and easily causes extensive exposures.
Remote work recommendation still valid in South Karelia
The snapshot group has had a special wish for companies and employers operating in the area for a week now. It is the employer's responsibility to find out the harmful and dangerous factors that occur at work, both at the workplace and remote work. The importance of harmful and dangerous factors for the health and safety of employees must be assessed and the necessary measures taken to combat them.
The employer must assess the necessity of arriving at the workplace from the perspective of the employees' health. If the employer allows or obliges employees to come to the workplace, the employees must be given instructions on how the work can be done so that there is no risk of infection.
- The remote work recommendation has been in effect in the Eksote region for almost a year. Remote work reduces the risk of employees getting sick from the coronavirus and the risk of the work community being injured when the epidemic hits the work community. If remote work is not possible at work, a face mask must be used at workplaces and other possible ways to protect the employee and the working community from corona infections must be considered, reminds Karhula.
For more information: https://stm.fi/etatyot-koronavirustilanteessa
New decisions regarding public spaces and recreational activities
Middle schools for distance learning
Based on preliminary information, AVI will make a decision to close the facilities for grades 7–9 this week. The decision will continue to allow evening use for group hobby activities for children born in 2008 and younger, as well as the use of the facilities to enable necessary close-to-home teaching. The student and student healthcare facilities will also remain in use.
Group hobbies of people born in 2008 or younger
Hobby activities for children born in 2008 or younger are allowed indoors in small groups of no more than 10 people. The activity must be organized avoiding close contact, taking into account safety distances of more than 2 meters. Groups must not mix. It is considered appropriate to put family sports and family fun activities on hold. The group's instructor is already included in the number of 10 people.
OKM and THL have instructed that if children's and young people's hobby activities are carried out during the spreading phase, it is very important that it is carried out only as a group's own hobby or training activity without competition events, concerts, performances, shows or other such situations where the group comes into contact with other hobby groups. Also, the teachers, instructors and coaches should always be the same, and it is not possible for parents to stay in the hobby and dressing rooms.
Group hobby activities for people born in 2001–2007 and adults
Outdoor hobbies are allowed for those born between 2001 and 2007. The group size must then be a maximum of 20 people. Indoor hobby activities must be suspended. The number of 20 people already includes the group instructor.
All group hobby activities must be suspended indoors for everyone born in 2007 and older. Professional sports and rehabilitative activities may continue, if it can be carried out with safety distances of more than two meters and within the framework of other recommendations.
Museums, libraries, swimming pools closed by the municipalities' own decisions
The situation picture group recommends municipalities to close public facilities to the public. Museums are recommended to be closed. Regarding libraries, they are allowed to continue lending and returning activities in accordance with the restrictions, it is not recommended to continue the operation of library cars. You should spend as little time as possible in libraries, and staying in them has already been restricted.
According to the recommendation of the situational group, swimming pools and sports facilities can still be used for activities according to the curriculum and for the implementation of group hobby activities for children born in 2008 and younger and for the use of top athletes.
Teaching at Citizens College is suspended to the extent that it is not possible to implement it as distance learning.
- A year ago in the spring, many ways were invented to do things at home and maintain one's endurance and mental well-being. Instead of limited activities, it is good to come up with alternative ways, thinks the head of welfare services of the city of Imatra Arja Kujala.
More information for the media
Tuula Karhula, chairman of the snapshot group, director of health and elderly services, Eksote, tel. 040 194 4936, wind.bear
exote.fi (tuula[dot]karhula[at]eksote[dot]fi)
The situation picture group has decided on 2.3.2021 March 2.3.2021 to put into effect the following recommendations for the period between 31.3.2021 March XNUMX and XNUMX March XNUMX
Private events:
A gathering limit of six people is valid for private events.
Organization of teaching:
We are waiting for AVI's decision on distance education.
It is recommended that secondary education and middle school classes be moved to distance education from March 8.3.2021, 28.3.21, with the exception of face-to-face education deemed necessary by the education organizer. Distance education is recommended to be continued at least until XNUMX.
Early childhood education and basic education for grades 1–6 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.
Nationally, the government recommends that higher education institutions switch to distance education, however, taking into account the needs of essential close-in education.
Teaching at Citizens College is suspended to the extent that it is not possible to implement it as distance learning.
Public spaces:
The situation picture group recommends municipalities to close public facilities to the public.
Museums and youth facilities are recommended to be closed. If necessary, the youth facilities can be used for individual meetings, as well as the operation of the Cockpits can be continued with a limit of 6 people.
Regarding libraries, they are allowed to continue lending and returning activities in accordance with the restrictions, it is not recommended to continue the operation of library cars. Libraries' events have already been canceled and their lounges, such as the magazine rooms, have been recommended to be closed.
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.
According to the recommendation of the situational group, swimming pools and sports facilities are still allowed to be used for activities according to the curriculum and for the implementation of group hobby activities for those born in 2008 or younger and for the use of top athletes.
Group hobbies of people born in 2008 or younger:
Hobby activities for children born in 2008 or younger are allowed indoors in small groups of no more than 10 people.
The activity must be organized avoiding close contact, taking into account safety distances of more than 2 meters. Groups must not mix.
OKM and THL have instructed that if children's and young people's hobby activities are carried out during the spreading phase, it is very important that it is carried out only as a group's own hobby or training activity without competition events, concerts, performances, shows or other such situations where the group comes into contact with other hobby groups. Also, the teachers, instructors and coaches should always be the same, and it is not possible for parents to stay in the hobby and dressing rooms.
It is recommended that family sports and family activities be put on hold.
Group hobby activities for those born in 2001–2007:
Outdoor hobbies are allowed for those born between 2001 and 2007. The group size must then be a maximum of 20 people.
Indoor hobby activities must be suspended.
Group hobby activities for adults
All group hobby activities must be suspended for everyone born in 2007 and older. Rehabilitative activities may continue if they can be carried out with safety distances of more than two meters and within the framework of other recommendations.
Adult Championship level and 1st division match and game activities:
The recommendations and decisions do not apply to professional sports, which means sports activities based on a series license agreement or the Olympic Committee's athlete agreement, as well as A national team activities when they are practiced without the presence of the public. In practice, this means limiting professional sports to elite sports, covering the two highest league levels in ball sports, adult A national team activities, and athletes preparing for international competitions through the selection system of the national sports association.
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 there is an audience, the regional administrative agency's regulation on the number of audiences applies to the event. 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.
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.
The remote meeting recommendation for institutions has entered into force on February 25.2.2020, XNUMX.
Mask recommendation:
The mask recommendation is valid in public transport, including school rides and taxi drivers and passengers.
Otherwise, the mask recommendation for the spread phase is valid according to THL instructions for people 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:
We are waiting for AVI's decision on organizing the events. While waiting for the decision, it is not recommended to organize events at all.
Additional information for event organizers on the website of the Regional Administration Office: https://avi.fi/usein-kysyttya-koronaviruksesta
