On 16.3 March, the Finnish Government issued guidelines on additional measures to deal with the coronavirus situation in Finland. The measures are intended to protect the population and safeguard the functioning of society and the economy. The guidelines are valid until 13.4.2020 April XNUMX. The Government, in cooperation with the President of the Republic, has stated that there are exceptional circumstances in the country due to the coronavirus situation.

The City of Kankaanpää is following the guidelines issued by the Government on March 16.3.2020, XNUMX and is taking measures related to the coronavirus situation at the city's cultural center as follows:

• Early childhood education units and the preschool education organized in connection with them will remain in operation. Parents and guardians who are able to arrange care for their child at home will do so. Early Childhood Education will inform parents on Tuesday, March 17.3, about which units are operational.
• The premises of basic education schools will be closed and face-to-face teaching will be suspended starting March 18.3. Parents and guardians who are able to arrange for their child to be cared for at home as early as Tuesday 17.3 March will do so. Parents will be informed about the guidelines for distance learning on Tuesday 17.3 March.
• If necessary, pre-school education will be organized at school and in-person instruction in grades 1-3 of basic education will be organized for children of parents who work in sectors critical to the functioning of society. In addition, if necessary, in-person instruction for students who have received a special support decision will be organized for those who need it, however, so that those parents and guardians who are able to arrange care for their child at home will do so. The need for instruction will be determined on Tuesday, March 17.3.
• Teaching and guidance at the coeducational high school will continue to be provided through distance learning. The Matriculation Examination exams will be held according to a condensed schedule set by the Matriculation Examination Board.
• The City Library and City Museum will be closed from March 17.3.2020, XNUMX.
• The city's decisions on the demarcation of facilities made on March 14.3 remain in effect. The city has closed the swimming pool and other facilities at the sports center and the youth center, and has banned events for outsiders and evening and weekend use of city-managed properties.

In addition, the city will implement the following measures for city employees:

• The city's rehabilitative work activities are suspended.
• The city will assign employees whose work assignments allow for remote work. Supervisors will negotiate these assignments with employees on Tuesday, March 17.3.
• For critical personnel, exceptions may be made to the provisions of the Working Hours Act and the Annual Holiday Act.

The city reminds residents of other measures outlined by the Finnish government:

• Public gatherings are limited to ten people and it is recommended to avoid unnecessary spending time in public places.
• Visits to residential service units for the elderly and other at-risk groups are prohibited.
• Visits by outsiders to care facilities, healthcare units and hospitals are prohibited, with the exception of asymptomatic relatives of critically ill patients and children, relatives of those in hospice care, and spouses or support persons in the maternity ward, assessed on a case-by-case basis.
• As a guideline, people over the age of 70 are required to stay away from contact with other people as much as possible (conditions equivalent to quarantine), with the exception of members of parliament, government leaders and municipal elected officials.
• Finns returning from abroad and persons permanently residing in Finland will be directed to conditions equivalent to a two-week quarantine. Those returning from abroad must agree on the time of their return to work and the two-week absence together with their employer.

The city's management team will next meet on Tuesday, March 17.3 at 9 a.m. to review the situation. The city will provide details on the measures on Tuesday, March 17.3.

The city has collected information related to the coronavirus situation on its website at: www.kangaanpaa.fi/korona

The city asks that all transactions be primarily conducted by telephone or email instead of in person. See contact information: www.kankaanpaa.fi/yhtestiet

Additional information:

Mika Hatanpää, Mayor, City of Kankaanpää

044 577 2210, [email protected]