Read latest updates about coronavirus on THL's webpage.

Coronavirus – guidelines and recommendations

Rovaniemi is at the acceleration 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 17.1.2022.

Travel & hobbies  

• THL recommends that all who travel abroad should be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before travelling. More information on THL's website. 
• It is recommended for children's leisure activities instructors to wear a mask. Parents following the practises have to keep safety distances.
  

Remote working

The city of Rovaniemi recommends to work remotely to the extent possible.

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 recommendation is directed even to those who are fully vaccinated. 
• 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. 

Corona testing

It is best to go for a test if you have symptoms of a coronavirus infection and:

• you are unvaccinated, or
  
• you have received only one vaccine dose of a series of two doses, or
• you have contracted coronavirus disease more than 6 months ago and have not received a coronavirus vaccine
• less than one week has elapsed since you received the second dose of the vaccine, or
• you are 60 years old or older and more than 3 months has elapsed since you received the second dose of the vaccine, or you are less than 60 years old and more than 4 months has elapsed since you received the second dose of the vaccine or
• you have been exposed to a confirmed case of coronavirus during the previous two weeks, or
• you live in a care and nursing unit for the elderly, or
• you work in the social and health care sector in nursing or care, or
• you are in a risk group for serious coronavirus disease
• you belong to a group for which a third vaccine dose is recommended, but you have not yet received a third dose.
  

Corona testing of children

Childen under 12 years don't necessarily need to be tested if they get symptoms. However, the child needs to be tested in the following cases: 1) the child has been exposed to a known COVID-19 case 2) the child's family includes over 16-year-olds who are not fully vaccinated 3) the health care personnel finds testing necessary. 

Where to get tested 

When you want to book a test appointment, follow these instructions:

• You can go straight without an appointment at the private medical centers Mehiläinen, Terveystalo or 9Lives testing point at Lordinaukio. 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-Fri at 7.20-2pm. The testing point is also open on Sunday 2.1 at 8am–2pm and Thursday 6.1 at 8am–2pm. 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.
• The testing point at Lordinaukio will open on Friday 10th of December, and serves without an appointment daily from Monday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 9Lives, from which Rovaniemi purchases the service, is responsible for carrying out the testing. The company's previous testing point has been serving in the Rovaniemi airport daily for a couple of months, from 8 am to 6 pm.
  Before taking a 9Lives corona test, you must register in advance at korona.9lives.fi/en
  When it comes time to pay, by selecting “payment on the spot”, you can skip the payment transaction and the test is thus free. After registration, you can take the test without an appointment. The test result will be sent as a text message within 30-60 minutes after taking the test.
  Note! If you need a test certificate to travel or are unvaccinated and want to test yourself to get a Covid-19 passport, the test is no longer free of charge but comes with a price! The price of the antigen test with the certificate is 99 euros and the price of the PCR test with the certificate is 155 euros. It takes about 48 hours to receive a PCR test result.
• The Lappica testing points are located at Lapinkävijäntie 2, next to the bus station. There's one testing point on the yard and one inside (please follow the instructions). Citizens older than 6 years can book an appointment at Lappica by phone (tel. 020-692 190 Mon-Fri 7.30am–2pm, Sat-Sun 8.30am–1.30pm). The testing point is open Mon-Thurs at 7.30am–3.30pm, Friday at 7.30am–2.30pm. In the weekends or during holidays the testing point is open as follows: 
  Sun 23.1. at 8am-2pm
  Sun 30.1. at 8am-2pm
  

  Corona testing when returning to one's home country

• When traveller’s own country or airline require a negative corona test for return, the covid test in Rovaniemi can be done at a private medical centre at the customer’s own expense. More information about coronavirus testing for departure from Rovaniemi, Finland: https://www.visitrovaniemi.fi/covid-19-guidelines/  
  

Coronavirus vaccination 

At the moment first coronavirus vaccinations are given to everyone who is 5 years old or older. Third vaccinations are given to everyone who is 18 years or older. You can get your third vaccination when at least four months has elapsed since you received the second dose of the vaccine. If you are 60 or older you can get your third vaccination after three months. 

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.
  

Where to get vaccinated

• Monday to Thursday at 10am–3pm
• Friday at 10am–2pm

Note! To get your third vaccination or to get your 5–11-year-old child vaccinated, you need to make a booking. 

 You can come by appointment as follows:

• Monday and Thursday at 8.15am–3.45pm
• Tuesday and Wednesday at 8.15–17.20pm
• Friday at 8.15am–2.45pm  

 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. 

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