Additional recommendations in Porvoo to control the coronavirus situation

The City of Porvoo has published additional recommendations to keep the coronavirus situation calm. Institutions for secondary education and youth services start applying a face mask recommendation from Monday 12 October onwards. In addition to this, associations will receive instructions for organising events safely. The distribution of face masks to people with low income will also expand further.

The authorities on infectious diseases have determined that the coronavirus epidemic is accelerating in the Porvoo area. This is why the City is providing additional recommendations to the residents. When we follow the recommendations, we can prevent infections and keep the situation calm.

Face masks to be used in educational institutions and youth services

Face masks will be used in upper secondary schools, vocational schools, universities of applied sciences, and adult education centres from Monday 12 October onwards. In Porvoo, this applies to Linnankoski Upper Secondary School, Borgå gymnasium, Haaga-Helia, Careeria, Practicum, Laurea, and Borgå Folkademi/Akan. Masks will also be used in youth services and facilities, which includes the youth centres Zentra, Kertsi and Nuokka, among others. In the activities, using a mask is recommended to everyone over 15. 

Students and customers of youth services are personally responsible for getting their own masks. People with low income will receive masks from the City. Employers will be responsible for the masks of their employees.

Distribution of face masks to people with low income

At the mask distribution points, you only need to say you are picking up masks. You do not need to prove your income or provide other information. Everyone will receive two washable fabric masks, as well as instructions for using and washing the masks. Students will receive four masks.

The City will distribute masks to people with low income during customer appointments:

• Omenamäki Service Centre on weekdays at 12.30 to 1.30 pm
• WSOY building, adult social work
• Art Factory, family centre
• At food aid activities

Safety is the focus at associations’ events

The City has prepared instructions for associations for organising gatherings and events. The instructions also apply to sports associations which will also receive more detailed instructions separately.

We want to emphasise the responsibility of the event organiser regarding safety. It must be possible for people to keep safe distances from each other. You must have hand sanitiser and hand washing facilities available. People must wear masks. The organiser must also remind the people attending of the safe practices.

The maximum recommended number of participants is 50 people for associations’ public events, and 20 people for private occasions. We will provide separate instructions for the events of sports associations. The recommended number of participants does not apply to large sports halls at this moment. 

To prepare for potential infections and exposures, the event organiser must collect information about the participants within the limits of legislation. We recommend that everyone use the Koronavilkku mobile app.

We will provide new instructions and recommendations when the situation changes

The regional coordination group for Helsinki and Uusimaa coordinates the overview of the Uusimaa region. It also offers recommendations to the municipalities on how to arrange activities.

Any new recommendations and instructions will be announced separately.

You can stop coronavirus infections by following the safety instructions

• Take care of good hand hygiene and coughing hygiene
• Wear a face mask
• Keep a safe distance of 2 metres
• If you are ill, stay home
• Do not go to public places, school or work if you have any symptoms
• Book a coronavirus test even if your symptoms are mild 

How to wear a face mask

• Put the mask on before entering a school, youth centre or another public facility. Only take the mask off after leaving the facility.
• If you are using public transport, also wear the mask during the trip.
• Put the mask on your face tightly.
• Your hands must be clean when you are putting the mask on or taking it off. This is why you should carry hand sanitiser with you.
• Put the mask on and take it off by holding it by the straps.
• Place the mask on your face so that it covers your mouth, nose and chin.
• Do not touch the mask or move it when wearing it.
• Always store the masks in a clean place. You can keep them in a clean plastic bag, for example.
• Keep enough masks with you to last your entire trip. It is good to keep a few spare masks with you.
• Washable fabric masks can be used multiple times. Take care of the mask’s cleanliness. Clean the mask by washing it in a laundry machine at 60 degrees Celsius. Alternatively, you can boil it with a small amount of laundry detergent for 5 minutes. After washing, rinse the mask and let it dry in an airy space.
• A disposable mask (a surgical mask) must be put in a bin after a single use. We recommend that you change your disposable mask if it gets wet.

 

7.10.2020 9:30

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