Guidelines: Coronavirus (Covid-19)

The University of Lapland's Guidelines: Coronavirus (Covid-19)

The University of Lapland actively follows the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and the authorities' instructions. This page contains the University's instructions. Instructions for personnel and students are available on ULapland Intranet (requires logging in).

The University of Lapland's Coronavirus Guidelines

The University of Lapland’s Coronavirus Guidelines, updated on 11 October 2021

The University follows the safety instructions and guidelines of the authorities. The strong recommendation to wear face masks on campus continues to be valid. Everyone is expected to practice good hygiene while on campus. Please do not attend campus if you are not feeling well or have symptoms of COVID-19

Teaching arrangements

Teaching will be delivered as face-to-face teaching, online teaching or hybrid teaching. The teaching delivery mode should be selected so that teaching can be delivered in an effective way appropriate for the subject matter. The units will decide on their teaching arrangements independently.

Working on campus

Members of the teaching and research staff may work remotely when the duties do not require presence on campus.

Members of the general personnel will work on campus. Work may also be performed remotely when the duties do not require presence on campus. Employees are expected to agree with the supervisor on remote work periods well in advance. The University’s instructions on remote work will be updated during the autumn.

Remote participation in meetings can be arranged where necessary. In the notice of a meeting it must be stated whether the meeting will take place on-site; on-site and remotely; or entirely remotely.

Students who are pursuing a traineeship follow the employer’s instructions.

Measures in case of a confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection

In case of a confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection, a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 will first have a discussion with the relevant health authorities in order to identify the person’s close contacts and to identify those who have potentially been exposed to COVID-19. Those who have been exposed will be contacted by the health authorities with instructions on what to do.

If necessary, the University will be contacted and asked to provide help in contact tracing as well as to communicate about potential COVID-19 exposure. If the identity of an employee or a student who has tested positive for COVID-19 becomes known to the University during the contact tracing process, the information will be used strictly for the purpose of identifying those who have potentially been exposed to COVID-19.

Official quarantine is an administrative decision made by a communicable disease control physician. A fully vaccinated person (at least one week has passed from the second vaccination) will usually not be quarantined unless the communicable disease control physician decides otherwise in his or her assessment. However, anyone who has been exposed to COVID-19 must get tested if they develop symptoms of COVID-19 after having been notified of potential exposure.

Nobody is obliged to disclose their health or vaccination status to others in the University community. The University recommends that all members of staff and students have the COVID-19 vaccine.

International mobility

Student mobilities, short mobilities and traineeships (incoming and outgoing) are possible if the current travel restrictions and restrictions on entry into the host country allow mobilities.

Public defences of dissertations

Public defences of dissertations can be arranged in the University’s premises and the events can also be followed online via live streaming.

University premises

The University is open during the official opening hours. Student key fobs allow 24/7 access to the university premises.

Library

Information on using the LUC library and the library opening hours is available at the website of the Lapland University Consortium Library.

Conferences, seminars and travelling

As for the restrictions on the number of people in gatherings, national recommendations are followed. Events and seminars may be organized on-site, remotely, or in a hybrid form.

When travelling for work, the relevant profit centre director's permission is needed and general safety instructions must be followed throughout the trip. Everyone travelling abroad for work purposes is expected to follow the guidelines of the local authorities.

Restaurants

National guidelines are followed regarding the university restaurants

Further information:
Rector Antti Syväjärvi, antti.syvajarvi(at)ulapland.fi, tel. +358 400 606 244
Director of Administration Ari Konu, ari.konu(at)ulapland.fi, tel. +358 40 735 2007

If you suspect you have Covid-19, follow the instructions below

If you are experiencing symptoms of acute respiratory infection such as fever, cough, runny nose, difficulty in breathing, body aches or fatigue, or any other symptoms compatible with Covid-19, e.g. nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea, or loss of taste or smell:

Do not come to work or attend the university campuses. Stay at home.
Take the online medical COVID-19 symptom check-up at omaolo.fi.
Instead of visiting the healthcare centre of your place of residence, contact them by phone or via remote services. Information on seeking treatment in Rovaniemi.
The health centre will provide you with instructions on how to proceed.
Testing for Covid-19 is available via public health care services. According to the Communicable Diseases Act (Tartuntatautilaki), testing for Covid-19 is the responsibility of public health care as the only authority that may trace infection chains and order a person into quarantine. Further information on testing for Covid-19 in Rovaniemi.

How to protect yourself against the virus?

The coronavirus spreads from one individual to another primarily via airborne respiratory fluid particles. The greatest risk of infection is created when an infected person coughs or sneezes into one's surroundings. You may also catch the virus through contact infection by touching a surface.

You can protect yourself from the virus like you do with other pathogens causing respiratory tract infections.
Maintain distance between yourself and other people.
You are recommended to wash your hands properly with soap for at least 20 seconds. Wash your hands every time when you enter a building; before preparing a meal and eating; after using the toilet, blowing your nose, coughing, and sneezing; and always when you have touched the same surfaces as someone who has a cold.
You should also avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth if you have not washed your hands just recently.
Use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser if you cannot wash your hands with soap and water.
When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue. Dispose of the tissue immediately after use. If you do not have a tissue, cough and sneeze into the upper part of your sleeve. Do not use your hands!
If you have symptoms of the common cold, influenza, or some other infectious disease, stay at home.
Please note, that these instructions are valid also for persons who are vaccinated.

Corona vaccination

We recommend that all our students and personnel have the Covid-19 vaccine as soon as possible. Once vaccinated, you are protected against a serious coronavirus infection and help protect others as well. The safety instructions of the university also apply to those who are fully vaccinated.