Finland is starting to take steps back to normal. The state of emergency was lifted on 16 June 2020; however, the lifting of the state of emergency does not mean that the situation has passed or that there is no longer a risk of a resurgence in the epidemic.
The Finnish Government has decided that restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 epidemic will be lifted gradually on the basis of the epidemiological situation and social and economic considerations. Movement of people and traffic will be facilitated primarily between countries with a similar epidemiological situation. However, the Finnish Government still recommends avoiding unnecessary travel to other countries except for Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. A 14-day self-isolation period is no longer required from persons returning from the above-mentioned countries.
The University of Eastern Finland follows the national guidelines, i.e. a 14-day self-isolation period is no longer required from persons returning from these countries. In addition, business travel to these countries is now allowed, as are visitors from these countries (no 14-day self-isolation period is required).
The same definition of policy applies to students’ training/internship periods or other studies-related travel abroad (such as field courses or other excursions). Student exchange, however, is cancelled for the entire autumn semester.
The use of the university’s facilities for teaching continues to be controlled by measures defined in the Infectious Diseases Act. Following the State Regional Administrative Agency’s lifting of restrictions on 14 May, it is possible to resume in-person teaching in a controlled manner and by taking gradual steps. Teaching arrangements at the university this summer and autumn will follow the guidelines of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, and the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture (available in Finnish at https://minedu.fi/documents/1410845/22330894/Ohjeita+tartunnantorjunnasta+oppilaitoksille+ja+korkeakouluille/48700d36-8e93-331d-c7c3-39801a450037/Ohjeita+tartunnantorjunnasta+oppilaitoksille+ja+korkeakouluille.pdf)
The situation understandably keeps changing, but the rule of the thumb is that travel to countries deemed safe by the Finnish Government is possible also within the activities of UEF (business travel, field courses, excursions, visitors). The latest information on the countries deemed safe for travel can be found on the Finnish Government’s website at: www.valtioneuvosto.fi
More services will open in the autumn
If the COVID-19 situation in Finland remains good, an increasing number of services will open in the autumn. The facilities of the UEF Library will open with limited services on a self-service principle. The Joensuu Campus Library and KUH Medical Library will open with limited services on 17 August 2020, and the Kuopio Campus Library on 1 September 2020. Further information on the UEF Library’s services can be found on the library’s website at www3.uef.fi/kirjasto
In addition, the Sykettä Sports Services will open in the beginning of August. Further information is available on the Sykettä website: https://sykettä.fi
The general hygiene and safety guidelines must be followed in all activities.
The university has also reviewed its parking fees in relation to the COVID-19 situation. Next year, there will be no increase in long-term parking fees, and the monthly parking fee will be lowered to be in line with the long-term fee. Further information on parking fees will be made available on Yammer later.
Have a nice and relaxing summer!
This spring has been very unusual and very demanding. We hope that the summer ahead offers plenty of opportunities for relaxation and for gathering strength for the autumn. The university’s COVID-19 taskforce will not convene over the summer, but questions can still be sent to COVID-19@uef.fi. The university’s coronavirus website is available at www3.uef.fi/koronavirus, and an information package aimed at students is available in Kamu at https://kamu.uef.fi/en/student-book/coronavirus/