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Coron­ainfo

Coron­avirus information

North Karelia is now at the basic phase of the coron­avirus epidemic. 

We opened the campuses of Karelia in August and returned to in person instruction as widely as possible.

We will ensure regular in person instruction to all groups and students. We will in particular stress contact lessons for students beginning their studies this coming autumn and those who began their studies during the pandemic. We will support students nearing their gradu­ation with special arrange­ments if restric­tions have impeded the normal completion of their studies.

The devel­opment of the coron­avirus situation is monitored at Karelia UAS on a daily basis. The management is prepared to take necessary action in order to ensure the safety of UAS activ­ities in all circum­stances. The safety instruc­tions are updated whenever necessary.

Masks

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) and Siun sote updated their recom­men­da­tions for the use of face masks in week 39. Conse­quently, the recom­men­dation to use face masks on Karelia UAS campuses is no longer valid. However, face masks will still be provided for everyone who wishes to wear one. Face masks are available at info desks. According to an assessment by THL, the risk for becoming infected by a coron­avirus is at the lowest level in higher education institutions.

Thus, the use of face mask is no longer based on the different phases of the corona epidemic, but on people’s own evalu­ation of the situation. As regards the number of people allowed in campus premises, we will return to normal practices in the last week of October. It means that the maximum number of people in each classroom will be the same as before the epidemic.

Student health care

You can book a student health care request via electronic appointment.

You are not allowed to enter Karelia UAS premises if you are sick

You are not allowed to enter Karelia UAS premises if you are sick or have any symptoms of a coron­avirus infection. If any symptoms occur, it is your respon­si­bility as a member of the higher education community to become tested for the coron­avirus without delay. Employees can use their working hours to get to the test. Follow the instruc­tions you are given as you are tested. If the test result is positive, i.e. you have a coron­avirus infection, or if you have been quaran­tined, you must immedi­ately notify Karelia UAS by emailing to turvallisuus@karelia.fi and either phone or email to your super­visor (employees) or teacher tutor (students). Anyone who is experi­encing symptoms or suspects exposure can fill out an assessment of their health at omaolo.fi website. The coron­avirus website of Siun sote has regional instruc­tions on how to proceed.

Hand and coughing hygiene

Each member of the community shall maintain good hand hygiene. Careful and frequent hand washing and use of hand sanitizer is important. Everyone shall immedi­ately wash and sanitize their hands when entering campus premises, when moving from a space or classroom to another, and otherwise as necessary. Hand washing facil­ities are available in campus toilets and hand sanitizers are located in hallways, student restau­rants and other common areas. A disposable tissue shall be used to cover the mouth and the nose when coughing or sneezing, and the tissue shall be disposed immedi­ately. If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not into your hands.

More infor­mation is available on the website of THL.

High-risk groups

Students belonging to high-risk groups shall inform their teacher tutor or student counsellor as well as the teachers of specific courses of their absence. A certificate from health care providers needs to be presented, if so required. The aim is to ensure fluent cooper­ation between teachers and students for organ­ising the studies in such a way that there is no risk of exposure.

Cleaning and disin­fection of surfaces

Cleaning has been enhanced at Karelia UAS. However, even efficient cleaning alone is not enough for keeping all surfaces clean in the everyday life of a school community. Therefore, it is recom­mended to disinfect the surfaces after each use (such as public computers on campuses). There are disin­fection wipes available for this purpose in Karelia UAS facil­ities. Every user is respon­sible for wiping the surfaces before and after each use.

Travelling

Work-related travelling in Finland, remote partic­i­pation is preferred, if possible. If they are necessary, a permission needs to be applied from the super­visor, taking general safety instruc­tions into account.

If you travel abroad in your free time and if your desti­nation is not a low-risk country, you should pay attention to the health safety measures for those arriving from high-risk countries. In addition, Karelia UAS strongly recom­mends that you work/study remotely for 10 days after the trip before returning to campus.

More infor­mation

Emergency services: tel. 116 117 (24h)

Health care centres: Siilainen tel. (013) 330 2211, Rantakylä tel. (013) 330 2212, Niini­vaara tel. (013) 330 2213

National hotline 0295 535 535 provides general infor­mation on the coron­avirus on weekdays at 8 am-9 pm and on Saturdays at 9 am – 3 pm. No individual health counselling or counselling for acute symptoms is provided by the hotline.