SAMK’s instructions on COVID-19 situation

The SAMK COVID-19 situation group has ended its meeting for the time being.

Updated 19.12.2022. The latest changes in bold.

Please, come to the campus only when you are healthy. Do not take the slightest risk of infecting others in our study and work environment.

If you have symptoms, make an assessment in the Omaolo.fi service and follow the instructions given by the service.

Instructions from Satasairaala for suspected COVID-19 infection: https://www.satasairaala.fi/koronavirus-covid-19/kansalaisohje-mita-teen-jos-epailen-koronatartuntaa (only in Finnish).

Instructions for students

1. In matters related to well-being, SAMK’s student well-being page helps.
2. The aim is that the students belonging to risk groups can continue their studies safely.
   • Students belonging to risk group must prove that they are at risk with a certificate issued by a doctor treating a long-term illness (not FSHS).
   • When necessary, the student belonging to a risk group contacts the teacher of the course to agree on the progress of studies and the exams.

Instructions for employees

1. If the employee is at risk of severe COVID-19 disease, a more extensive distance working arrangement may still be agreed with the supervisor if the workload allows. The risk groups are defined in a THL guideline.
2. The superior´s right to accept absence due to illness has been extended to seven days. The original work instructions will otherwise apply. Please, come to the campus only when you are healthy.

Travelling instructions for employees

1. SAMK has comprehensive travel and accident insurance for its personnel, which also reimburses medical expenses if you get COVID-19 on a business trip.
2. Short study-related international visits
   • For short international visits related to studies, the person in charge at SAMK makes a risk assessment and a decision on the incoming or outgoing group with his / her supervisor.
   • Study-related travel abroad or the arrival of a group from abroad (an individual group or an event organized by SAMK) on SAMK’s campuses is possible in good health.
   • The team must have insurance cover provided by the sending university or other educational institution or other statement to prepare for the costs that may be incurred in treating the illness, quarantining or testing the COVID-19.
   • Departures and arrivals must follow the current COVID-19 guidelines of the destination country and follow the national guidelines of the country of departure and destination.
3. The Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela) can pay a sickness allowance on account of an infectious disease to employees who have been ordered to stay away from work in order to prevent the spread of an infectious disease, such as the COVID-19 virus.
   • From 1.1.2023, the allowance will again require a decision from the doctor responsible for communicable diseases. The application period for the allowance will also be reduced from the current 6 months to 2 months.
   • A guardian under the age of 16 is entitled to an infectious disease daily allowance if the child has been quarantined and is therefore unable to work. The daily allowance can also be paid to a person isolated or quarantined in the EU.
4. If the employee has returned from a trip abroad or a possible infection can be suspected and the person develops symptoms of a respiratory infection, a symptom assessment must be made online in the Omaolo service (omaolo.fi). At the end of the test, the service provides instructions.
   • With other respiratory symptoms you should be remotely connect (telephone, Digiklinikka) occupational health care. Mehiläinen’s Omamehiläinen service can be used around the clock online and by downloading a phone application. See more detailed operating instructions on Mehiäinen’s website (mehilainen.fi/en).

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) follows and estimates the situation together with the European Centre for Disease Prevention (ECDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Daily updated review of the situation: https://thl.fi/en/web/infectious-diseases/what-s-new/coronavirus-covid-19-latest-updates

Information also on the pages of the WHO: https://www.who.int/europe/emergencies/situations/covid-19

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has travel announcements here: https://um.fi/entering-finland-and-travelling-abroad