The University of Lapland's updated corona virus guidelines are valid from 1 to 28 March 2021.
It is crucial to follow the safety rules at the university premises: everyone must follow the 2 meters safety distance, face mask recommendation, and good hygiene. No one who is ill or has symptoms compatible with coronavirus should attend the University campuses. The purpose of our updated guidelines is to ensure that the university will be able to continue to operate in the hybrid mode of work.
The staff and students of the university are encouraged to download the Koronavilkku contact tracing app on their mobile phone.
Teaching arrangements
Face-to-face teaching will be delivered only when strictly necessary (for example courses involving laboratory work). The 6-person limit per space applies to all face-to-face teaching situations at the University of Lapland. Students in risk groups should contact the teacher in charge of the course in order to agree on alternative ways of completing the course.
The units decide on their teaching arrangements independently in accordance with the University's general guidelines. The teacher in charge of a study unit is responsible for informing the course participants of the teaching arrangements.
General exams will not be arranged as mass exams on campus until the end of spring term 2021. Exams can be taken by using the electronic exam service EXAM in the designated Exam rooms on campus, following the safety instructions (two exam times per testing device per day, exam times from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 20:00).
Safety while working in close contact with others
Members of the teaching and research staff may work remotely when the duties do not require presence on campus. When working on campus, everyone must pay attention to the 6-person limit per space, maintain safe social distancing, follow the strong recommendation on wearing face masks, and practice good hygiene.
A separate permission to work on campus is not required, but persons involved in teaching and research groups using the university's premises or participating in other work-related gatherings on campus should contact the head of the relevant unit to discuss the issue. This information on on-campus presence is needed to trace infection chains.
The safe return of risk group members to the workplace is ensured through consultation with occupational health services.
When working on campus, staff members should work in their personal workspace except when their job duties require otherwise. No one who is ill or has symptoms compatible with coronavirus should attend the University campuses.
The 6-person limit per space applies to all contact teaching situations at the University of Lapland. Teaching and instruction situations are organised in such a way that members of staff and students can maintain safe social distancing and avoid close contact with others. Everyone is required to practice good hygiene throughout the activities. Washing hands is recommended in the spaces with access to handwashing facilities. Hand sanitizer dispensers are located at the entrance of the teaching spaces.
Face masks are strongly recommended while in the shared spaces on campus. This means that we strongly recommend wearing face masks in the corridors, lobbies, classrooms, and any other shared spaces on campus. Furthermore, on-campus presence should continue to be limited to what is necessary for the purposes of studying or working.
The university provides single-use disposable face masks for members of staff and students. Alternatively, you may opt for a personal face shield. Teachers will get masks for teaching and learning situations from Facility Officer Services. For other situations masks are available at Facility Officer Services and at the Library.
The coworking spaces that are in heavy use are cleaned more often. Face masks and face shields will be delivered to the spaces as required. The units are required to contact the Property and Procurement Services and provide the details on the occupancy of the spaces in question and the need for face masks/face shields to be delivered to them.
The university provides face masks for members of staff and students to wear during business trips by public transportation.
Students who are pursuing a traineeship follow the employer's instructions.
Face masks are not provided for the way to the university and back home, or for recreational travel or events. Face masks are not provided for teaching situations in which it is possible to practice good hygiene and maintain safe social distancing, for example through seating arrangements. Face masks are not provided for visitors to the University of Lapland who travel to the university and work in the university's premises for an external employer.
Further information: Guidelines by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health
Instructions on wearing a face mask (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, available in Finnish only)
Student access rights
Students have access to the university's premises during the university's opening hours in accordance with their personal access rights. For further information on access to the university library, see the section Library below.
If necessary, students may use the self-study rooms on campus during the university's opening hours (for example, if their work requires access to tools such as software). In these spaces, everyone must maintain safe social distancing, practice good hygiene, follow the strong recommendation on wearing face masks, and pay attention to the 6-person limit per space.
International mobility
Student mobilities and traineeships (incoming and outgoing), as well as staff mobilities are possible if the current restrictions on entry into the host country allow mobilities, but virtual mobility is recommended. Short (5 to 90 days) mobilities will not take place for the academic year 2020–2021.
Public defences of dissertations
Public defences of dissertations can be arranged in the University's premises in accordance with the current attendance limit and strong recommendation on wearing face masks, and in such a way that safe social distancing can be maintained.
Research
Researchers may work on campus when the duties require presence on campus. The maximum number of persons allowed per space must not be exceeded, and when using laboratories or other research facilities, the safety and health instructions should be followed and the restrictions on gatherings apply.
Researchers should continue to do their analysis and writing work remotely to the extent that it is possible. Group meetings are held online.
University premises
The university is open during the official opening hours.
Library
Materials pickup is only available to those in risk groups. Further instructions on the opening hours and library use are available on the LUC Library web pages
The reading rooms of the library will be closed. Students may enter the library using their access key fob, but only for the purpose of loans and returns.
Conferences, seminars, and travelling
For the time being, conferences and seminars are held online. As for the restrictions on the number of people in gatherings, national recommendations are followed.
We recommend arranging meetings and gatherings remotely. The current attendance limit of gatherings is 6 persons. Larger gatherings and events are arranged online or they are rescheduled to take place later in the autumn. All event arrangements are made on a case-by-case basis.
When travelling for work, the relevant profit unit director's permission is needed and general safety instructions must be followed throughout the trip. Everyone travelling abroad for work purposes should follow the guidelines of the local authorities.
Restaurants
National guidelines are followed regarding the university restaurants.
Communications and actions to take in case of suspected or confirmed Covid-19
Members of staff and students who are suspected to have been affected by coronavirus, or who develop symptoms of, or test positive for, Covid-19 are expected to follow the instructions of national and local authorities.
The University of Lapland's contact person for supervisors and health authorities for the purpose of tracing infection chains is Director of Human Resources Mervi Alatalo, tel. +358 40 484 4090, mervi.alatalo@ulapland.fi
In cases of suspected or confirmed Covid-19, the primary responsibility for communications lies with the authorities. At the University of Lapland, the university's operational management led by the Rector is responsible for the decision making, communications and instructions regarding the coronavirus situation.
Further information:
Antti Syväjärvi, Rector, antti.syvajarvi(at)ulapland.fi, tel. +358 400 606 244
Ari Konu, Director of Administration, ari.konu(at)lapinamk.fi, tel. +358 40 735 2007