Updated section, 20 January 2021

In its meeting on 19 January, the regional coronavirus coordination group of Northern Ostrobothnia declared that the coronavirus epidemic has left the community transmission phase and re-entered the acceleration phase. Last week’s infection numbers maintained a downward trend, and the situation is calm in a large part of the region. The City of Oulu remains the only area to still fulfil the spreading phase criteria regarding the incidence rate. The newly found infections mostly have their origins in families and gatherings among groups of friends, with some of them being related to work. The infections have mainly been traceable, and control over the infection chains has been gained.

In the area of the City of Kalajoki, the coronavirus situation has been calm for several weeks. However, cases of the novel coronavirus can still be found in the area. Therefore, the situation must still be taken seriously and the issued recommendations and restrictions must be complied with. People should seek out coronavirus testing even with mild symptoms.

The readiness management group of the City of Kalajoki has held a meeting upon being informed of the coordination group’s new recommendations. As an amendment to the valid recommendations, the coordination group decided that the preparations for matriculation examinations and similar final examinations can be arranged in the form of contact teaching, although secondary and higher education will otherwise continue in distance learning mode.

Kalajoki’s matriculation examination candidates will return to contact teaching on Monday 25 January 2021. The first and second grade students of the upper secondary school will continue their studies in distance learning mode. The loose arrangement of comprehensive education will be continued until 1 February 2021.

The remainder of the restrictions that entered into force on 19 January 2021 (see below) remain untouched.

 

Public events

Pursuant to section 58, paragraph 1 of the Communicable Diseases Act, the Regional State Administrative Agency for Northern Finland prohibits the following activities in the area of the municipalities of Northern Ostrobothnia:

all indoor and outdoor public events and public meetings during the period between 18 January and 1 February 2021.

However, public events and meetings can be arranged indoors and in confined outdoor spaces, provided that the number of participants is not more than 10 (ten) persons and that their safety can be ensured compliant with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) on 21 September 2020

 

Public facilities

The public facilities administered by the City of Kalajoki will mainly remain closed, but with access to indispensable services and transactions still guaranteed.

• Virta-Sali, Kahvila Kirja, Ventelä house, museums and exhibition facilities and the City Hall will remain closed until 1 February 2021.
• The libraries will be open for quick transactions.
  • Face mask usage is a requirement for all persons using library services.
  • For risk groups, an option to use a book bag pick-up service will be offered.
  • Opening hours will be restricted until 1 February 2021 as follows:
    • The Main Library: Mon and Thu 10:00-20:00, Tue, Wed and Fri 10:00-16:00, Sat closed
    • Himanka: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu 12:00-19:00, Fri 11:00-16:00, Sat closed
• Events at the library will not be held until 1 February 2021.
• The mobile library will remain inoperative until 1 February 2021
•  The spa is recommended to keep its doors closed until 1 February 2021

 

Group hobby activities

• Kalajoki residents under 18 may attend group hobby activities in the ice hall and at the City’s indoor sports facilities in groups of under 10 persons.
• The guideline issued by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health on ensuring participants’ and accompanying persons’ possibility to avoid close contact with each other must be considered, and everyone must comply with the provided instructions.
• The time slots are subject to change in the light of the operations’ compliance with the provided instructions. Further information on reservations, protection and measures can be requested from development and coaching head Juha Isolehto juha.isolehto@kalajoki.fi
• Training opportunities will be provided for competitive and top level athletes through special arrangements. The matter must be agreed on with development and coaching head Juha Isolehto. juha.isolehto@kalajoki.fi
• Games and competitions will not be arranged in indoor team sports (incl. events in the ice hall). The possibility of arranging outdoor competitions must be discussed with development and coaching head Juha Isolehto. juha.isolehto@kalajoki.fi 
• Open youth centre operations will be closed until 1 February 2021. Group operations will continue with a maximum group size of 10 persons. All participants must wear face masks.

 

Old people and risk groups

Visits to care institutions should be avoided, but they are possible upon advance agreement with the staff. People should only pay visits when healthy. The measures comply with the instructions of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).

 

Arrangement of teaching

• Kalajoki’s matriculation examination candidates will return to contact teaching on Monday 25 January 2021.
• The first and second grade students of the upper secondary school will continue their studies in distance learning mode.
• The loose arrangement of comprehensive education will be continued until 1 February 2021.
• It is recommended that all secondary education institutions remain in distance learning mode until 1 February 2021
• The Adult Education Centre will start to teach groups on 1 February 2021
• The individual education of children and young people at the Music School and the Adult Education Centre will continue normally.

 

Remote work and remote meeting practices

All employees must work remotely insofar as possible.

Remote meeting policies will continue to be applied as extensively as possible both at workplaces and for leisure meetings.

 

Mask recommendations

• At all times in public transport and other public means of transport (such as taxis)
• While going to get tested for the coronavirus and before receiving the test results, if there is an essential reason to leave home.
• Those arriving in Finland from a high-risk region when moving from the entry location to voluntary quarantine, or if they have an essential reason to leave home during voluntary quarantine.
• Health care personnel in all patient work. The recommendation also applies to patients, family members, students and visitors.
• At all times in public indoor spaces and at public events, including schools and educational institutions from the upper comprehensive school upwards
• At the facilities of private service providers (stores, banks, etc.)
• Comprehensive school students from the 7th grade upwards and students of secondary and higher education institutions (including upper secondary schools)
• At all indoor workplaces where masks can be worn.

Private events

We recommend that private events not be held. Small-scale memorials constitute an exception to the above recommendation.

 

Readiness Management Group
City of Kalajoki