The coronavirus spreads primarily through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can also be transmitted by touching contaminated surfaces.

The virus has spread across the world. As we have seen in many other countries, the Government in Finland has also issued measures to control the spread of the coronavirus epidemic.

In order to contain the epidemic, the City of Joensuu follows the Government’s policies as well as the instructions given by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) and Siun sote, which is the party responsible for healthcare services in North Karelia.

What are the symptoms of the novel coronavirus?

The coronavirus causes a severe acute respiratory infection. The majority of people infected only get mild symptoms, but some become seriously ill. Many of those who experience more severe symptoms also have an underlying medical condition, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease or lung disease.

The symptoms include fever, a cough, shortness of breath, muscle ache and tiredness.

Mild respiratory symptoms

If you have mild respiratory symptoms, such as a runny nose, cough, sore throat, muscle pain or fever, you should rest and recover at home. Stay at home until the symptoms subside and wait one additional symptom-free day.

If you have any symptoms of a respiratory infection, do not go to other medical appointments or non-urgent services, including dental care, social services, physiotherapy or maternity and child health clinics. Please remember to cancel your scheduled appointments!

Do you suspect you have the coronavirus?

If you suspect you might need medical treatment, please call the emergency helpline on 116 117 or your own health centre. Healthcare professionals will evaluate the situation and give you further instructions.

Always call before going to a health centre or emergency clinic!

The latest guidelines and information on the coronavirus situation in North Karelia can be found online at www.siunsote.fi/korona.

If you belong to a risk group (you are over 70 years of age or have an underlying medical condition), call the health services immediately if you feel unwell!

Protect yourself and prevent the spread of the virus

Particularly the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions are at risk of developing serious complications from the coronavirus. They are also susceptible to other infectious diseases, so it is especially important to protect them.

Cheer up your friends or family with a phone call or electronic communications. Visit them only when necessary. You can also help them with chores and shopping.

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
• Use hand sanitizer if it is not possible to wash your hands.
• Remember good coughing and sneezing hygiene. Protect your hands and nose with a single-use tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw away the used tissue and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer as soon possible. If you do not have a tissue, cough into your upper sleeve or elbow. Do not cough or sneeze into your hands!
• If you are sick, do not go to work or visit people who are at risk.
• If you are over 70 years of age or belong to a risk group, stay at home.

Download instructions: Protect yourself and others from getting sick (pdf)

Healthcare services and non-urgent care

All visits to hospitals, inpatient wards, health centre hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living units are forbidden until further notice. Any necessary visits must be agreed on with the staff in advance.

Some of the non-urgent appointments are cancelled and postponed. Such appointments include, for example, non-urgent dental care of patients aged over 70 or who belong to a risk group. Siun sote will contact the patients directly.

New non-urgent appointments are made depending on the situation of each service unit. It is best to make an appointment by phone. Many services have restricted their available online bookings and increased their phone services.

The service units make use of remote services and digital appointments, where possible.

More information about health services can be found on the Siun sote website at www.siunsote.fi.

Read the city's newsletter

Newsletter of the City of Joensuu

Revised services of the City of Joensuu

The Finnish Government has issued measures to control the spread of the coronavirus epidemic in Finland. The City of Joensuu follows the Government’s policies as well as instructions given by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare and Siun sote, which is the party responsible for healthcare services in North Karelia.

The City of Joensuu is therefore closing some of its services during 18 March 2020 – 13 April 2020 to limit the coronavirus epidemic. Any updates will be communicated at a later date.

Restrictions on daycare and education have been extended until 13 May.

Daycare and education

• Families with children in schools and daycare have received instructions regarding the exceptional arrangements.
• Daycare centres are open, but parents are advised to take care of their children at home if possible.
• Families whose children do not attend early childhood education for a continuous period of two weeks during 17 March – 13 May will receive a full refund for their absence.
• Open early childhood education (the city’s day clubs) is cancelled until 13 May. We will also not charge any customer fees during this time.
• Activities in early childhood education are more compact and groups are combined.
• Schools are closed until 13 May, and studying will be done remotely at home.
• The City of Joensuu will organise limited face-to-face education for pre-schoolers and forms 1–3 as well as students with a decision on special support.
• Arrangements regarding in-person and remote teaching and other school-related matters have been communicated to both school staff and guardians.
• Studies at upper secondary schools will be carried out remotely. Matriculation exams will be organised according to a tighter schedule. New schedules have been communicated directly to the students.
• Teaching at the adult education centre (Kansalaisopisto) has been ended. A decision regarding the summer term will be made later.
• The sports academy has been closed
• Teaching at the music academy will be carried out remotely

Culture and leisure

Outdoor exercise areas can be used as normal, but all other leisure and culture services are closed:

• City orchestra concerts
• museums and children’s museum Mukulakatu
• libraries, self-service libraries and mobile library
• youth houses
• a decision regarding summer camps and outings for adolescents will be made later
• activities at Sinkkola
• indoor exercise areas
• swimming pools
• community house Satama and club house Rupla    

Customer service points

• The city’s service points in Carelicum (Rantakatu 20) and in rural areas are open for customers.
• Service point in Muuntamontie 5 is open for customers.
• Opening hours at the service points may change, and we may have to limit the number of customers.
• Customers are primarily asked to use electronic service channels or the phone.
• Joensuun Vesi’s customer service has been closed. Customer service will be carried out electronically and by telephone.

Public events

• Public events and meetings with more than 10 participants, whether indoors or outdoors, are not permitted.
• All public events in the city’s premises have been cancelled until the end of May.

Employment services

• You can apply for a summer job with the city until the end of March, and the campaign will continue as before until further notice.
• Trainees’ traineeship periods are limited.
• We are not currently accepting people to rehabilitative work activities.
• Pay subsidy work and employment obligation work may still be organised in workplaces with normal activities despite the exceptional circumstances.
• Employment service point Luotsi at Kauppakatu 29 is open. Customers are asked to contact Luotsi remotely if possible. All events at Luotsi have been cancelled. Luotsi’s electronic service channels are available at https://luotsijoensuu.fi (only in Finnish).

Immigration services

• Kauppakatu 29 (3rd floor), Opening hours:: Monday 12–15.30, Tuesday–Friday 8.30–11 and 12–15.30