Corona virus COVID-19: Updated instructions on March 4th, 2020
University of Oulu has updated it’s instructions concerning corona virus COVID-19: Due to increased risk of disease's spreading and it’s risk to
employees’ health, the employees and students of University of Oulu may not travel to epidemic area. Employees and students returning from epidemic area are required to work/study remotely for a period of 14 days after return. University of Oulu does not receive
visitors from epidemic areas for the time being.
At the start of this year, an epidemic caused by the new corona virus COVID-19 began in China. In recent weeks, the virus has spread to other countries. The
World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the novel corona virus a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
The National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) is monitoring the situation together with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)
and the World Health Organisation (WHO) and will be updating the latest information on the spread of the virus and with instructions for preventing infection to their pages.
Follow these pages for latest news.
Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland provides frequent information bulletins and updates regarding traveling to epidemic areas. Foreign ministry currently
instructs either to avoid all travel to epidemic areas or avoiding all unnecessary travel to epidemic areas. Due to increased risk of disease's spreading and it’s risk to employees’ health, the employees
and students of University of Oulu may not travel to epidemic area. Only in exceptional situations, when avoiding significant economic loss or avoiding person related risk so requires, can traveling be permitted by the human resources director.
Epidemic areas are defined as those where more extensive chains of infection have been confirmed. Please check the areas from The National Institute for Health and Welfare (link above)
Employees or students returning from epidemic areas may not start working or studying at the campus immediately after return. Instead, they should
work and study remotely for 14 days. Please contact your supervisor or person in charge of the course in these situations.
Instructions
In case you have sudden symptoms of respiratory-tract infection within 14 days after returning from epidemic area or you have been in close contact with
a person who has been confirmed to carry COVID-19, follow these steps:
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Always first contact by phone your health centre or the information number provided
in your travel insurance information. You will receive instructions on how to seek treatment.
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Cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue when coughing or sneezing. Immediately put the used tissue in the rubbish bin.
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If you don't have a paper tissue available, cough or sneeze onto the upper part of the arm of your sweater, not into your hands.
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When you seek for examination and treatment at a health care institution, you may be given a paper mouth/nose cover. This protects staff members and others
from infection.
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Evaluation of the situation is the responsibility of the medical practitioner in charge. He/she will consult other specialists before making decisions
on further medical care.
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University’s occupational health care provider Mehiläinen follows the instructions from The National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). Patients on
site at the Mehiläinen with suspected COVID-19 infection will be at their own waiting areas.
Traveling
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Employees and students of University of Oulu may not travel to epidemic area.
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Carefully consider your travel and try to avoid any travel. It is possible that epidemic area will continue to expand later on and traveling may be further
restricted.
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In case travel is unavoidable, check the Ministry
for Foreign Affairs website for the latest travel advisories (in Finnish). and for important information about travelling abroad and instructions on how to submit a travel report.
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Occupational health care assist in evaluating the risks related to travel.
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Pay careful attention to hand hygiene.
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In case of falling ill during travel, pay attention to local authorities instructions and seek for medical assistance.
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If you have booked your trip using university’s service provider CWT, you will be receiving alerts, updates and instructions during your trip via SMS.
Visitors from epidemic area
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University of Oulu does not take visitors from epidemic areas for the time being. This also applies to exchange students.
Avoiding contraction
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Ensure effective hand
hygiene: wash your hands with water and soap. If not possible, use alcoholic hand sanitizer
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Use disposable towels for drying your hands. Do not dry your hands with jointly used towels.
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