The University of Eastern Finland’s recommendation on online teaching will end at the end of January. On-campus teaching will be resumed gradually, while taking pedagogical viewpoints and restrictions on public gatherings into consideration. The number of people attending lectures, exams and public examinations of doctoral dissertations is limited to 20 people at a time until 14 February. The university’s facilities, including the library and Exam facilities, are open normally.
The university’s current recommendation on remote work will end on 15 February 2022, in accordance with the recommendation of the Finnish Government.
Any possible restrictions on public gatherings imposed by the Regional State Administrative Agency for Eastern Finland will have to be taken into consideration in the university’s activities also in the future. Currently, public gatherings are limited to 20 people (50 people outdoors), and the decision is in force until 14 February 2022.
Public health care is overwhelmed by COVID-19 testing – at-home tests are a good alternative
Public health care is currently overwhelmed by the demand for COVID-19 testing and contact tracing. In many parts of Finland, Joensuu and Kuopio included, the health authorities have had to abandon large-scale contact tracing and imposing of quarantines. At the moment, testing mainly focuses on social and health care settings, and on people in at-risk groups. This means that not everyone will be able to get an official COVID-19 test and test result in public health care anymore. For them, an at-home coronavirus antigen test is a good alternative.
If you experience symptoms of COVID-19, do as follows:
- If you are eligible for an official COVID-19 test in public health care, get tested and follow any instructions given to you by the health authorities. Inform your supervisor/teacher of your possible sick leave.
- If you are not eligible for an official COVID-19 test in public health care, do an at-home COVID-19 antigen test and follow THL’s instructions in the address https://thl.fi/en/web/infectious-diseases-and-vaccinations/what-s-new/coronavirus-covid-19-latest-updates/symptoms-and-treatment-coronavirus/covid-19-tests-and-avoiding-contacts-in-regions-with-a-testing-and-tracing-backlog. Inform your supervisor/teacher of your possible sick leave. Employees are allowed to go on sick leave for seven consecutive days by informing their supervisor. If your symptoms persist for longer than seven days, contact occupational health care to extend your sick leave.
The most important thing is to stay home if you have symptoms and to wear a mask while on campus. If you have been exposed to the coronavirus, stay home whenever possible. If it is essential for you to come to the campus while exposed, be sure to wear a mask at all times and maintain physical distance to other people.
For further information, please contact:
Teaching-related matters: Academic Rector Tapio Määttä, tapio.maatta@uef.fi, tel. +358 50 575 1589.
General COVID-19 situation: Director of Administration Tuomo Meriläinen, tuomo.merilainen@uef.fi, tel. +358 40 355 2299.