Read latest updates about coronavirus on THL's webpage.

Coronavirus – guidelines and recommendations

Rovaniemi is at the baseline level of the coronavirus epidemic. This bulletin includes the recommendations and guidelines issued by the Lapland Hospital District and the City of Rovaniemi. The page has been updated on 3.5.2021.

Travel & hobbies  

• Travelling to areas where the coronavirus is in its spreading phase should be avoided.
• Tournaments and other sports events are allowed to take place, but those living in areas where the coronavirus epidemic in in acceleration or spreading phase should not join these events. Also, those living within Lapland health care district borders are not recommended to take part in such event in areas that are in acceleration or spreading phase. This applies to sports events for individual and team sports for all ages indoors and outdoors. However, the policy does not apply to national team activities or competition events at the Finnish Championship and 1 division level. The recommendation is valid until 31.5.2021.
• It is recommended for children's leisure activities instructors to wear a mask. Parents following the practises have to keep safety distances.
• Citizens of Finland always have the right to return to Finland, and everyone has the right to leave the country. The Government recommends avoiding unnecessary travel to countries other than those for which the restrictions on entry have been lifted.

Events & gatherings

• Public gatherings with more than 50 persons are allowed in Lapland in May 2021 if the organizer follows the rules issued by Regional State Administrative Agency for Lapland. Further information for organizers via telephone 0295 016 666 (Mon-Fri 8–11.30 and 12.30-16) or email: koronainfo@avi.fi.
• City of Rovaniemi also recommends it’s citizens to avoid private gatherings with more than 20 persons. This will be revised on 3.5.2021.
  
  

Remote working

The city of Rovaniemi recommends working remotely to the extent possible in both the public and private sectors.

Face masks

• Citizens who are 12 years old or more should use face masks in public transport and in public places where it is impossible to maintain a safe distance to other people. This recommendation applies to shops, shopping centres, libraries, office buildings, theatres, museums and restaurants, among others. 
• The mask recommendation also applies to universities, upper secondary schools and vocational educational institutions. The strong recommendation applies to both staff and students. 
• The City of Rovaniemi provides free face masks to those with limited means. Students with limited means can obtain face masks from their educational institution.
• When meeting friends and relatives, those at risk and their guests are recommended to wear a face mask when safety distances cannot be maintained.

• The general face mask recommendations issued by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) are also valid in Rovaniemi. In addition to the above, THL recommends wearing a face mask

  • On the way to the corona test centre and before the test result has been confirmed if you must leave your house for essential reasons. 
  • When a passenger arriving in Finland from a risk area goes from the point of entry to Finland to the place they will quarantine themselves or if they have an essential reason to leave their home during the quarantine period.
    
  The City of Rovaniemi provides free face masks to those with limited means. Students with limited means can obtain face masks from their educational institution.

Corona testing

Anyone with the slightest symptoms of a coronavirus infection are adviced to seek a laboratory test. When you want to book a test appointment, follow these instructions:

• You can go straight without an appointment at the private medical centers Mehiläinen or Terveystalo. Getting tested is free for all, and there is no need for a referral.
• The Mehiläinen drive-in testing point is available at Sairaalakatu 1. The testing point is open Mon-Fri 7.30-14.30 and Sat-Sun 8.30-11.30 AM. You don't have to make an appointment. You can arrive by car, but also by walking or by bike.
• The Terveystalo testing point is located in the Revontuli shopping centre (Koskikatu 27). The testing point is open Mon-Tues at 7.20-2pm, Wed-Fri at 7.20–1pm and Saturday at 9–11.30am. You don't have to make an appointment. You can enter testing point straight from the yard, the door is located near the Repolainen play room. Please do not spend time in the shopping centre before or after getting tested.
• If you are an employee of the city, book an appointment at the occupational health care Lappica by phone 020-692 190
  
  Corona testing of children

• If the child is under school age and has mild symptoms, you can monitor them at home for a couple of days without testing. The child's symptoms are mild if the child is lively and has the energy to play even if they are sneezing and have a cough and fever. However, a symptomatic child cannot go to early childhood education and care. If the symptoms disappear completely during monitoring, the child does not have to get tested and can return to early childhood education and care after least one asymptomatic day. If the symptoms continue, it is better to find out if they are caused by a corona infection. Children can return to early childhood education and care when their corona test is negative and their symptoms start easing.
• School-age children are ill more rarely than smaller children so they are more likely to have a corona infection. A coronavirus test is always justified if a school-age child or young person has symptoms that fit coronavirus.
• If the child has hay fever, occasional sneezes, or if their nose starts to run when they go outside but the symptoms stop indoors, the child can go to school or early childhood education and care as long as their general health is otherwise normal and there are no symptoms of infection
• To test your child, you can visit the Mehiläinen drive-in testing at Sairaalankatu 1, Mon-Fri at 7.30am–2.30pm and Sat–Sun at 8.30am–11.30am OR Terveystalo in the Revontuli shopping centre (Koskikatu 27, access from outside near the Repolainen play room), Mon-Fri at 7.20–13. No booking is needed.

Coronavirus vaccination 

At the moment coronavirus vaccinations are given to those in the first and second risk group, and people aged 55 or more. 

If you are 18 years or older and belong to the second risk group, please book an appointment for vaccination. To check whether you belong this risk group visit THL's webpage (link after this article). The vaccination appointment can be reserved online at rovaniemi.terveytesi.fi. or by phone: tel. 016 322 4913. Phone service is open from monday to friday at 9 am – 2 pm.

If you are age 60 or older, please book your appointment for vaccination. We kindly ask you to use the phone service.

The Rovaniemi vaccination point is located at the city hall at the address Hallituskatu 7. Vaccination is available by appointment only. The vaccination appointment can be reserved online at rovaniemi.terveytesi.fi or by phone: tel. 016 322 4913. Phone service is open from Monday to Friday at 9 am – 2 pm.

• Vaccination order for risk groups

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has decided that under certain conditions, a person who does not have a municipality of residence in Finland may receive the coronavirus vaccination. THL's vaccination order is also followed for these groups. The corona vaccine is free for everyone.

 Coronavirus vaccinations are given in Rovaniemi to the following groups

• Persons residing in Rovaniemi who do not have a municipality of residence or other right to receive preventive health care in Finland. However, vaccinations are not given to tourists or other people who visit Finland for a short period of time.
•  Persons who are temporarily staying in Finland who have a health insurance card issued by an EU or EEA country or Switzerland. 
•  Persons who have a certificate issued by Kela on the right to treatment benefits in Finland or a European Health Insurance Card with a green background issued by Kela.
  

More information

• Information on coronavirus in different languages
• Current restrictions in Finland

WHO’s standard recommendations for the general public to reduce exposure to and transmission of a range of illnesses are as follows, which include hand and respiratory hygiene, and safe food practices:

• Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water;
• When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue – throw tissue away immediately and wash hands;
• Avoid close contact with anyone who has fever and cough;
• If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing seek medical care early and share previous travel history with your health care provider;
• When visiting live markets in areas currently experiencing cases of novel coronavirus, avoid direct unprotected contact with live animals and surfaces in contact with animals;
• The consumption of raw or undercooked animal products should be avoided. Raw meat, milk or animal organs should be handled with care, to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked foods, as per good food safety practices.

Wash your hands

• after coughing or sneezing
• when caring for the sick
• before, during and after you prepare food
• before eating
• after toilet use
• when hands are visibly dirty
• after handling animals or animal waste

Wash your hands with soap and running water when your hands are visibly dirty. If your hands are not visibly dirty, fequently clean them by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.

Protect others from getting sick

• when coughing and sneezing cover your mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue
• throw tissue into closed bin immediately after use
• clean hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water after coughing or sneezing and when caring for the sick
• avoid close contact when you are experiencing cough and fever
• avoid spitting in public