The Satakunta Regional Infectious Disease Control Working Group (ATTR) met on 17.12.2020 December 10.1.2021 and concluded that Satakunta is still in the acceleration phase and North Satakunta is still in the spread phase. The working group recommends that municipalities continue with previous recommendations and restrictions until XNUMX January XNUMX.
In the area of the North Satakunta Basic Services Joint Municipality (PoSa), 14 infections have been detected during the previous 2.12-day review period (December 15.12.2020 - December 24, 79), which means that the situation has clearly improved (a week ago, 14 cases/6 days), but the incidence is still high. In Kankaanpää, XNUMX infections have been detected during the entire corona period.
The city's management team and Margit Seppälä, the chief physician responsible for infectious diseases at PoSa, assessed the situation in Kankaanpää at a meeting held on Friday, December 18.12. According to the recommendations of the regional working group, the previous restrictions on the city's activities and other recommendations will be extended until January 10.1.2021, XNUMX.
ATTR will meet next on January 7.1.2021, 8.1.2021 to assess the situation. The city will provide further information on the matter on January XNUMX, XNUMX.
Restrictions on city operations and regional recommendations
- Early childhood education units will continue to operate normally according to Christmas opening hours and arrangements. Staff will wear masks or visors. Guardians are also recommended to wear masks when bringing in and picking up children.
- Basic education in schools will continue as normal. Schools will end in Kankaanpää on 22.12.2020 December 7.1.2020 and continue on XNUMX January XNUMX. School staff will wear masks. Those on school and school bus transport will be given masks to use on transport. Upper secondary school students are recommended to wear masks. Students will receive masks from the school if necessary.
- Kankaanpää Yhteislyseo and the Music Institute are in distance learning.
- The sports center, city museum, and youth center will remain closed, and the city prohibits outside events and evening and weekend use of city-managed properties. The ban does not apply to operators renting city facilities.
- The City Library's newspaper room and collection rooms are closed to customers. The library will continue to offer a limited reserve and collect loan service during the Christmas period. For more information, please visit the library's website: http://kirjasto.kankaanpaa.fi/
- The city recommends continuing the suspension of other group recreational activities. Recreational facilities on city premises in Kankaanpää are closed to all age groups and sports practitioners.
- ATTR strongly recommends the widespread use of masks. The city urges compliance with this recommendation.
- The recommendation to work remotely also remains in effect, which is why it is recommended to conduct business with city officials by phone and email. The doors of city offices, including City Hall, are closed.
- It is recommended that private events held indoors with more than 10 people should not be organized or attended. It is also recommended that no more than 5 members of the same work community participate in the same leisure event. Masks should also be worn at private events if it is not possible to maintain a safe distance.
- According to the instructions issued by the Finnish Association of Public Health on 16.12.2020 December 20, public events and general meetings with a maximum of 21.9.2020 people can be organised indoors and in regionally restricted outdoor spaces, provided that safety can be ensured in accordance with the instructions issued by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare on 23.1.2021 September XNUMX. The order is valid until XNUMX January XNUMX.
- The city does not organize its own events or activities. According to the authorities, Thursday market days can be organized as long as safety distances and masks are taken into account. The last market day of 2020 will be organized on Tuesday, December 22.12.
- It is recommended to avoid all unnecessary travel and movement, both between municipalities and provinces.
It is recommended to spend the holidays with family.
ATTR emphasizes that it is important to continue to follow the recommendations and that the gradually improving situation should not lead to a relaxation of precautions. It is everyone's responsibility to ensure that we can celebrate the holidays in good health and without fear of overloading healthcare or infection tracing.
Limiting close contact, maintaining social distancing, practicing hand hygiene, and widespread mask use in public spaces remain key. It is especially important to remember to take careful precautions when dealing with at-risk or elderly relatives during the Christmas season.
It is safest to spend the holidays with your own family and with those living in the same household. The city recommends using the practical tips provided by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare regarding safe holidays. You can also meet relatives and friends remotely, thanks to the good internet connections in our area!
THL's tips can be found at: https://thl.fi/fi/-/juhli-joulua-pienessa-porukassa-ja-valta-ruuhkia-listasimme-vinkkeja-turvalliseen-pyhien-viettoon
Corona testing during Christmas
You should seek a corona test as soon as mild symptoms appear. In Kankaanpää, call the PoSa flu clinic immediately on tel. 02 577 3265, where you can get the sample collection time and arrival instructions. The Flu Clinic's telephone advice is open from 14.12.2020 to 10.1.2021 Mon-Fri 8.00-16.00 and Sat-Sun and public holidays 9.00-13.00. You can also make a symptom assessment on the omaolo.fi service, where you can get instructions.
Monitoring the situation
The city's management team is monitoring the development of the situation and is in constant contact with the health authorities. If necessary, we will react quickly in accordance with the instructions given by the authorities.
The city recommends following the information from the North Satakunta Basic Services Municipal Association and Satasairaala on the subject:
www.eposa.fi/category/korona/
www.satasairaala.fi/koronavirus-covid-19
The city collects information related to its own measures on the information page:
www.kangaanpaa.fi/korona/
Additional information
Mika Hatanpää, Mayor, City of Kankaanpää
044 577 2210, [email protected]
Margit Seppälä, Chief Physician, North Satakunta Joint Municipal Authority for Basic Services
044 577 3200, [email protected]