Thursday 11 March 2021
The translated version of the coronavirus review for Lapland is published once a week.
Anyone experiencing even the slightest of symptoms while in Lapland must take a coronavirus test.
Links about the current situation:
Here you will find coronavirus test contact information for all municipalities of Lapland
Official instructions from Lapland to travellers who suspect they may have caught the coronavirus
THL: Travel and the coronavirus pandemic
Find more instructions and current recommendations and restrictions for the hospital districts
THL: This site tells about the progress being made with COVID-19 vaccinations
Lapland Hospital District
(current information at 12:29)
The COVID-19 situation has worsened throughout the country. The majority of hospital districts have now entered the spreading or accelerating phases of the epidemic. The Lapland Hospital District is now in the acceleration phase of the epidemic.
The incidence rate based on the last two weeks (week numbers 8 and 9, 22 February – 7 March) is 59 per 100,000 inhabitants.
The incidence rate based on one week, i.e. week no. 9 (1–7 March) is 24 per 100,000 inhabitants.
This incidence rate also includes cases of patients who live outside the Lapland Hospital District area. For this reason, the figure can differ from that announced by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) that does not count those living outside of Lapland.
In Levi, it has been noticed that infections related to tourism are reflected on the employees of accommodation and catering establishments – employees are currently being tested for coronavirus infection
16 new coronavirus cases have been confirmed so far this week. The majority of infections are related to Levi in the Municipality of Kittilä and the majority of these infections have been confirmed among employees working in the accommodation and restaurant sector in Levi. It is for this reason that a decision has been made to conduct coronavirus testing targeted at people working in the accommodation and restaurant sector in Levi.
The Regional State Administrative Agency for Lapland has issued an order for the safe use of premises for the period 8–28 March 2021. Using this order, the Regional State Administrative Agency for Lapland obligates operators to ensure that customers and persons operating in premises intended for participation in activities do not come into close contact with one another. This order is based on Section 58 d of the Communicable Diseases Act.
Decision issued by the Regional State Administrative Agency for Lapland on 4 March 2021
Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare: The AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine can also be used for vaccinating senior citizens – from now on, vaccinations will first be given to people over the age of 70
The AstraZeneca Covid-19 coronavirus vaccine has also proven to be effective for the over 70s. Consequently, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare has issued new guidelines for the order of vaccinations. From now onwards, vaccinations will be focused based on age, with the first rollout being for persons over 70 years old, starting from the oldest ages downwards. Once all the over 70s have received the vaccines, vaccinations will continue with persons under the age of 70 years who belong to one of the risk groups.
The vaccination times already given for those under 70 years who belong to one of the risk groups in the Lapland Hospital District will remain valid. From now on, new vaccination times will be given staged on the basis of age from older to younger to the age of 70 years, after which vaccinations can continue for those under the age of 70 years who belong to one of the risk groups.
The British variant of the coronavirus becomes more common: do not expose others, rather apply for a coronavirus test, even with the slightest of symptoms and remain in self-imposed quarantine until you have received the results of the coronavirus test
(8 March 2021) During a period of a little over two weeks, of the positive tests confirmed in the Lapland Hospital District, a more detailed analysis was done on eleven samples. The British variant of the coronavirus was found from eight tests taken.
Now that the British variant that spreads even easier has become more common, you must take a coronavirus test even with the slightest of symptoms. Even if you experience the very slightest of symptoms, you must seek a coronavirus test immediately and remain in quarantine-like conditions from the time you have taken the test and while you are waiting for the results.
Health safety code of conduct for travellers entering Finland in the Lapland Hospital District area
According to a decision issued by the government of Finland, immigration restrictions have been tightened in Finland. The Regional State Administrative Agency for Lapland issued its order on 26 February 2021 for the municipalities and hospital districts in the region, which stated that in order to prevent the spreading of the Covid-19 virus, everyone entering the country must be directed to a health inspection at the border crossing point into Lapland.
The Lapland Hospital District and the health authorities of the municipalities of Lapland (Salla, Inari, Utsjoki, Enontekiö, Muonio, Kittilä, Pello and Rovaniemi) have decided to employ a code of practice to direct travellers to a health inspection.
This code of practice also includes a health information form that should be completed by the traveller and collected by the health authorities. Using the information provided on the health information form, the health authorities can later be in contact with this traveller for organising a possible coronavirus test.
Travellers are not directed to a health inspection, if
- they can provide a negative coronavirus test result (PCR or rapid antigen test) that was provided no more than 72 hours before entering the country, or
- the traveller can produce a verifiable certificate that shows they have already had the COVID-19 infection during the past six (6) months, or
- the traveller holds a negative coronavirus test result provided by a health authority that is less than seven (7) days old, or
- the traveller is a representative of the logistics and transportation sector.
The commissioning of this code of practice occurs in cooperation with the Border Guard for Lapland. At the border crossing points, the border guards distribute the instructions and health information forms issued by the health authorities and, on a case-by-case basis, direct travellers to take a health inspection. The commissioning of this code of practice does not affect the checking of requirements for entering the country.
Possible exposures to the coronavirus
Levi, Kittilä:
- Bar Alakerta Friday 5 March at 20:00–22:00
- Café & Bar Kota Friday 5 March at 18:30–20:00
- Tuikku Restaurant Friday 5 March at 15:00–16:30
- Subway Levi Friday 5 March at 10:00–13:30
- Subway Levi Thursday 4 March at 10:00–20:30
- Stefan’s Steakhouse Wednesday 3 March at 20:00–22:00
- Sivakka Ski Slope Restaurant Wednesday 3 March at 12:00–13:00 and 15:00–16:00
- Gastro K. Tuesday 2 March at 20:00–23:00
- Panorama Restaurant Tuesday 2 March at 20:00–22:00
- Cafe & Bar Kota Tuesday 2 March at 19:00–20:00
- Subway Levi Tuesday 2 March at 13:00–15:00
- Draivi Restaurant Monday 1 March at 12:00–15:00
and:
- in Rovaniemi at the Gustav Restaurant Friday 5 March at 21:00–23:00
- At Pyhätunturi in the Municipality of Pelkosenniemi at Huttuhippu Restaurant Friday 19 February at 18:30–19:15 and 20:00–21:30.
People visiting these places at the times mentioned should monitor their health and seek a coronavirus test even with the slightest of symptoms.
Number of positive coronavirus tests confirmed in the Lapland Hospital District by week
Week no. 8 (22–28 February): 41 cases
Week no. 9 (1–7 March): 28 cases
Week no. 10 (current week): 16 cases (as of 11 March at 12:29)
The total number of cases confirmed in the Lapland Hospital District on the basis of coronavirus tests conducted at testing stations is 674. This figure includes people who live outside the region.
Infection Control Unit
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Länsi-Pohja Hospital District
(current information at 10:17)
The Länsi-Pohja Hospital District is still in the acceleration phase of the epidemic.
Despite the minimal number of new cases, it is still extremely important to follow all safety rules
Only one (1) new case of the coronavirus has been conformed in Länsi-Pohja this week. Last week, a total of 12 new cases were confirmed. Even though there have not really been any new cases over the last few days, the situation in the area can change quickly. Strict coronavirus safety measures remain necessary if we want to keep the situation calm and avoid an increase in the number of new cases, particularly in respect to the spreading of variants of the coronavirus in the area.
The Hospital District urges the people of the area to continue to follow coronavirus safety measures, such as avoiding unnecessary contact with others and making sure that face masks are used. Even if the slightest of symptoms are experienced, you must take a coronavirus test. After taking the coronavirus test and awaiting the results of the test, you must self-quarantine at home. If you feel ill or have symptoms, you must not go to work, and do not take symptomatic children to kindergartens.
AstraZeneca also used for senior citizens in the future – new vaccination times first focused on people over the age of 70 years
The AstraZeneca Covid-19 coronavirus vaccine has been found to also be effective in vaccinating people over the age of 70 years, and the National Advisory Committee on Vaccines (KRAR) has confirmed that the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine can also be used to vaccinate people over the age of 70 years. In the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District area, the already agreed appointments will not be cancelled, but in the future, as recommended by the guidelines issued by THL, vaccinations shall be rolled out gradually according to age, from older to younger. Once all the over 70s have been vaccinated, vaccinations for those under the age of 70 years that belong to the risk groups can continue. Please avoid telephoning to ask when it is your turn to receive the vaccine. Municipalities are communicating vaccination issues on their websites.
Number of positive coronavirus tests confirmed in the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District by week
Week no. 8 (22–28 February): 9 cases
Week no. 9 (1–7 March): 12 cases
Week no. 10 (current week): One (1) case (as of 11 March at 10:17)
The total number of cases confirmed in the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District on the basis of coronavirus tests conducted at testing stations is 538.
Infection Control Unit