The regional COVID-19 situation assessment workgroup of South Karelia stated at its meeting on 13 July 2021 that the epidemic is at the baseline level in South Karelia. The three stages of an epidemic are the baseline, acceleration, and spreading phases.
Sections 58(c) and (e) of the Communicable Diseases Act that obliges operators to ensure the health of their customers by taking the measures specified in legislation will remain in force throughout Finland until 31 December 2021.
The incidence rate has increased in various regions in Finland. In South Karelia, a large portion of the positive COVID-19 test results is still linked to travelling and Russia. The poor COVID-19 situation and vaccination coverage in Russia poses a risk in the region. Based on the update of the Communicable Diseases Act that took effect yesterday, a COVID-19 test will, in the future and under threat of a punishment, be compulsory for passengers who arrive in Finland from a high-risk country.
Healthcare services are currently functioning well and there is no threat of them becoming overwhelmed due to the coronavirus situation. In Finland, a majority of the COVID-19 patients who need to be admitted to hospital are people who have not been vaccinated or have only been administered one shot.
The next meeting of the regional COVID-19 situation assessment workgroup will be held on 3 August 2021, at the latest. Where required, the workgroup will meet earlier.
On Saturday 10 July 2021, people could have become exposed to the coronavirus at around 21:00–23:00 in restaurant Totemi and at 23:00–04:00 in restaurant Las Palmas. Eksote advises persons who visited these restaurants at the specified times to look out for any symptoms and to have themselves tested for COVID-19 at a low threshold. Cutting off infection chains quickly will allow South Karelia to remain at the baseline level also in the future.
– Eksote’s infection tracking team is doing its utmost and it will be possible to keep the epidemic under control by working together, which requires that people have themselves tested immediately when they develop symptoms and also, otherwise, act responsibly, says the chair of the situation assessment workgroup Tuula Karhula.
At the baseline level, general hygiene and safe distance obligations are applied to local restaurants. Indoors, all customers must have a seat. In South Karelia, restaurants, bars, and cafés have acted responsibly and have fulfilled their obligations. However, each customer is responsible for their own behaviour. Persons who have symptoms typical of a coronavirus infection must not go to a restaurant, bar, or café. Customers must also ensure good hand hygiene and follow the instructions provided by the restaurant.
Vaccination coverage is an important factor as regards the re-opening of the society. In South Karelia, the vaccination coverage is at a good level on a national scale. A total of 69 percent of the population has received the first dose, but in the cities and among the younger population, in particular, there are still large numbers of unvaccinated people.
Unvaccinated people catch the virus and feed the epidemic by spreading it. By having yourself vaccinated, you protect not only yourself but also those closest to you, your colleagues, and the entire society. Not having yourself vaccinated has the opposite impact.
– Everyone living in South Karelia can do the responsible thing by booking a vaccination appointment and following the instructions provided. Washing your hands is important also in summer and maintaining a safe distance and wearing a face mask is polite when meeting other people, says Karhula.
Vaccination appointment times are available at the COVID-19 vaccination points in South Karelia. Eksote wishes that residents, who have not yet received their first shot, would book a vaccination appointment.
There are vaccination appointment times available for this week at ToriGalleria in Imatra, in Savitaipale, and in Lemi. Next week, there are available times, e.g., in Rautjärvi and Lappeenranta. At IsoKristiina in Lappeenranta, vaccinations are also administered during the weekend of 17-18 July 2021.
To book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment, please call +358 5 352 2355 or use Eksote’s online service. For more detailed instructions: www.eksote.fi/koronarokotukset (in Finnish)
Practises related to travelling were updated on 12 July 2021. The Communicable Diseases Act obliges passengers to participate in a health check and, where required, to COVID-19 testing both at the border crossing point and 3–5 days after arrival in Finland. Passengers who are able to present reliable certificates either in Finnish, Swedish, or English can be exempted from the health check. A list of the required certificates is available on Eksote’s and THL’s websites. Passengers who refuse to participate in a compulsory health check or COVID-19 testing can be punished in accordance with the Communicable Diseases Act.
All passengers are advised to start using the FINENTRY online service. In the service, passengers receive information and operating instructions related to coronavirus testing and voluntary quarantine. The digital service enables a quicker entry to Finland and also makes it easier to get a free coronavirus test in Finland. The FINENTRY service is available at www.finentry.fi, and it is available in various languages.
THL recommends that also children born in or after 2006, who have travelled with adults, follow the same instructions as the adults after they have returned from abroad. After returning to Finland, passengers should avoid contact with others apart from those living in the same household or place of accommodation until a COVID-19 test taken 3–5 days after the trip has come back negative.
THL strongly recommends that people who have been abroad do not use public transport, go to their workplace, or participate in leisure time activities, for example. In addition, it is not advisable for children to participate in early childhood education or to go to preschool or school whilst the adults are waiting for a negative result of their COVID-19 tests.
Necessary trips outside the home, such as going to a doctor’s appointment, are permitted. However, a sufficient safe distance must be maintained and a face mask worn in such cases.
– If you travel to Russia to meet grandparents, the children must also stay at home until the parents’ test results have come back negative, says Karhula.
Information on travelling, COVID-19 testing, and quarantine on THL’s website:
Information on travelling on Eksote’s website (in Finnish): https://www.eksote.fi/Koronavirus/matkustajille/
If you develop symptoms that are typical of a coronavirus infection, you must stay home or in your place of accommodation. Do not meet other people or go to public places if you have a runny nose, a cough, a sore throat, a fever, nausea, or diarrhoea. Have yourself tested for coronavirus immediately by calling Eksote 116 117 or by filling in a symptom assessment in the Omaolo service. The symptoms of a coronavirus infection and instructions for booking a coronavirus test can be found on Eksote’s website: www.eksote.fi/koronavirus. If you feel that you require treatment for your symptoms, you can have your treatment need assessed by calling the same number 116 117.
EU’s COVID-19 vaccination certificate is now available in My Kanta Pages. The other two EU COVID-19 certificates, i.e., the test result certificate and a certificate of recovery from COVID-19, will be available in My Kanta Pages starting on 14 July 2021.
The EU COVID-19 vaccination certificate includes information of the COVID-19 vaccinations received by the holder, such as the name of the vaccine, the last date of vaccination, and the number of doses administered. The certificate is free of charge.
Each person who has been vaccinated will be issued a COVID-19 vaccination certificate in their My Kanta Pages, from where it can also be printed out. In addition, you can also authorise someone else to use your My Kanta Pages on your behalf. At the present time, persons who do not use the My Kanta Pages service or do not authorise someone else to use the service on their behalf can receive a different type of a certificate of their COVID-19 vaccination.
The booking of COVID-19 vaccination appointments is now open to all persons aged 16 or older who live in South Karelia. In addition, COVID-19 vaccinations are also available to those aged 12–15 who belong to risk groups 1 and 2. Eksote does not send out invitations, but each resident can select the best COVID-19 vaccination point and time by using Eksote’s online services or by calling Eksote’s coronavirus vaccination advising service. Eksote extends the vaccinations to new age groups regularly. COVID-19 vaccinations are currently given as a series of two shots. Tarkasta ajankohtainen tilanne www.eksote.fi/koronarokotukset.
Eksote’s coronavirus vaccination advising and appointment service is open from Monday to Friday at 9:00–6:00. To contact the service, please call +358 5 352 2355.
Eksote: https://www.eksote.fi/Koronavirus/
City of Lappeenranta: https://www.lappeenranta.fi/fi/Kaupunki-tiedottaa/Koronavirustilanne
City of Imatra: https://www.imatra.fi/korona
Lemi: https://www.lemi.fi/ajankohtaista/koronatiedotteet.html
Luumäki: https://www.luumaki.fi/koronavirustilanne-tietoa-ohjeita-linkkeja
Parikkala: http://www.parikkala.fi/fi
Ruokolahti: https://www.ruokolahti.fi/suomeksi/Kuntatietoa/korona
Rautjärvi: http://www.rautjarvi.fi/fi
Savitaipale: https://www.savitaipale.fi/
Taipalsaari: https://taipalsaari.fi/fi/Koronavirustilanne
The following recommendations are valid in South Karelia. The recommendations are decided upon by the situation assessment workgroup at its weekly meetings. The recommendations will be applied to the authorities, the general public, business operators, and education organisers. It is hoped that private operators will also follow the corresponding recommendations provided to the region.
Protect yourself and those closest to you against a coronavirus infection:
The following measures help prevent the spread of the virus, including any new COVID-19 variants.
The use of a face mask in the Eksote area when the epidemic is at the baseline level:
The use of a mask is recommended in the following situations and for the following persons aged 12 years or older:
The use of a mask is always recommended in situations where it is difficult to avoid close contact. Local authorities can, based on their own risk assessment, provide supplementary recommendations for their area. In South Karelia, the face mask recommendation is valid at all indoor and outdoor events.
Customer service points must be equipped with plexiglass shields. Employers must provide masks or protective face shields for customer service workers who work less than 2 metres from other people.
It is recommended that the staff wear a face mask in early childhood education when they are in contact with other adults indoors; this includes other staff members and the parents of the children. Staff can stop using a mask in early childhood education when working with their own child group. As regards outdoor premises, it was already instructed previously that a mask is no longer necessary.
Secure the health of customers and participants
Obligations laid down in section 58(c) and 58(e) of the Communicable Diseases Act must be met in customer and participant premises, at service stations, and in passenger traffic. The sections oblige the operators responsible for the premises specified in the said section to ensure that customers or participants can clean their hands. Operating instructions must be provided to customers and participants regarding the maintenance of a sufficient safe distance to others, the cleaning of hands, and other practices that aim to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. In addition, operators referred to in the section must organise the area reserved for the customers and participants as loosely as possible, observing the special characteristics of the activity in question, and to locate any seats reserved for the customers as far from each other as possible.
Section 58(e) provides regulations on the responsibility of traffic operators to intensify the cleaning of surfaces. They are also obliged to ensure that other practices to prevent the spread of infections are followed and the passengers are provided with an opportunity to maintain a sufficient hygiene level on the means of transport, and are also provided with operating instructions, on the means of transport, regarding the maintenance of a sufficient safe distance to others, cleaning of hands, use of a face mask, and other similar practices that prevent the spread of infections.
It is especially important to pay attention to sufficient safe distances in the indoor premises intended for sports, exercising, amusement and recreation, which pose a high infection risk. Here premises mean premises that can be closed with a decision given based on section 58(g) of the Communicable Diseases Act if the epidemic situation becomes worse.
Hygiene requirements must be followed for as long as the temporary section 58(c) of the Communicable Diseases Act remains valid. Based on the current decision, the section will remain in force until 31 December 2021. We recommend that other measures specified in the instructions of THL and the Ministry of Education and Culture to prevent the spread of the coronavirus also be applied in the premises.
Take those belonging to a risk group into consideration
Age is a significant risk factor for developing a severe coronavirus infection. People with a long-term illness are also at a higher risk. (THL / risk groups for severe coronavirus disease: https://thl.fi/en/web/infectious-diseases-and-vaccinations/what-s-new/coronavirus-covid-19-latest-updates/risk-groups-for-severe-coronavirus-disease)
Persons belonging to a risk group and those closest to them are advised to follow the general instructions for reducing the risk of an infection. Persons belonging to a risk group should ensure good hand hygiene and maintain a minimum safe distance of 1–2 metres to others when running errands. Spending time in shops and running errands at peak hours should be avoided.
No changes should be made to the treatment of long-term illnesses. If you develop symptoms typical of a respiratory infection, avoid contact with other people and book a COVID-19 test in accordance with Eksote’s instructions.
If a person close to you belongs to a risk group, support them. Do not visit elderly people or persons belonging to some other risk group if you have any symptoms typical of a respiratory infection. Keep in touch with your family and friends by phone or meet them outdoors.
Continue to avoid close contact and exercise case-specific consideration when visiting elderly people or other persons belonging to a risk group. Avoid the shaking of hands and hugging, wear a mask, and ensure good hand hygiene before and after visits.
Family caregivers and personal assistants must observe the infection risk related to contacts and must also comply with the instructions of the authorities.
Visits to Eksote’s units must be implemented in accordance with valid instructions. Further information can be found on Eksote’s website (in Finnish): https://www.eksote.fi/Koronavirus/asiointijavierailu/
Additional information by THL: Elderly persons and other risk groups – coronavirus instructions https://thl.fi/en/web/infectious-diseases-and-vaccinations/what-s-new/coronavirus-covid-19-latest-updates/risk-groups-for-severe-coronavirus-disease/elderly-persons-and-other-risk-groups-coronavirus-instructions
Restaurants, cafés, and bars:
In areas that are at the baseline level, general hygiene and safe distance obligations are applied, together with the requirement that all customers have a seat when indoors.
General hygiene and safe distance obligations apply:
Private events:
Good hand hygiene must still be followed at private events, as well as ensuring, to the extent possible, that face masks are used and a 1–2 metre safe distance is maintained. Persons with flu symptoms must not participate in private events. All gatherings and close contacts outside the home should be avoided whenever possible, which means that careful consideration should be exercised as regards the organisation of and participation in celebrations.
The situation assessment workgroup recommends that the residents do not participate in events organised in regions that are in the acceleration or spreading phase, and that no guests are invited from such areas to celebrations organised in South Karelia.
Education organisers:
In early childhood education, child groups can be combined for the summer, but the mixing of staff should be avoided.
Travelling:
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and THL recommend that all travelling to Russia, Brazil, South Africa, and India be avoided. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs also recommends that all unnecessary travelling outside the EU and the Schengen area be avoided.
Additional information: Eksote: Koronavirus / Matkustajille >>
THL: Matkustaminen ja koronaviruspandemia >>
Ulkoministeriö: Uusimmat matkustustiedotteet >> (in Finnish)
Remote working:
It is recommended that all employers in South Karelia organise remote working in all work tasks that can be completed remotely, even temporarily. If remote working is not an option, it is recommended that the employer advices the employees to use a face mask in all work premises, even when safe distances can be maintained. Meals and coffee breaks must be staggered. Work and business trips and contact teaching events are not recommended. The recommendation for institutions to use remote conferencing is also valid. The remote working and remote conferencing recommendation will remain valid until 31 August 2021.
Group leisure activities for children, young people, and adults:
In group leisure activities, a sufficient safe distance of 1–2 metres and good hand and coughing hygiene must be ensured. Only symptom-free persons can participate in the activities.
It is recommended that training be organised in clear and fixed groups. If the groups are kept small and the composition unchanged, close contact can be permitted during the training.
Public safety must be ensured in matches, competitions, and performances by complying with the valid general recommendations.
Events:
Public events can be organised in South Karelia, if the instructions of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) and the Ministry of Education and Culture for preventing the spread of COVID-19 in connection to public meetings and assemblies and in the use of certain public premises, can be followed.
Further information for event organisers on the Regional State Administrative Agency’s website (in Finnish): https://avi.fi/usein-kysyttya-koronaviruksesta
The situation in the rest of Finland and the valid restrictions and recommendations of other hospital districts can be found at: https://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/information-on-coronavirus/current-restrictions/hospital-districts.The page can also be accessed through the link found on the Eksote website at www.eksote.fi/koronavirus
The current stage of the epidemic in South Karelia is specified by the infectious disease authorities, together with the regional COVID-19 situation assessment workgroup. The South Karelian COVID-19 situation assessment workgroup includes representatives of the South Karelia Social and Health Care District, the municipalities, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, the Regional State Administrative Agency, and the local ELY Centre. In addition to the number of and the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, the stage of the epidemic depends e.g. on the traceability of infection chains and whether the virus was acquired within or from outside the region. The epidemic situation can change rapidly locally or regionally, even when the national situation is stable. The local COVID-19 situation assessment workgroup meets once a week, unless more frequent meetings are required.
Tuula Karhula, Chair of the situation assessment workgroup, Director of the Health Services, Eksote, tel. +358 40 194 4936, [email protected]
© Koodiviidakko Oy - Y-tunnus 1939962-1