THL recommends hygiene measures during school holidays

The National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) on Tuesday urged people to take special hygiene measures during the upcoming autumn vacation of the schools across the country.

Many Finns will be travelling in Finland during next week and the week next, when schoolchildren have their autumn break and it is important to keep safe distances when spending time in places with a lot of people, said a THL press release.

Wearing a mask is recommended in public transport and indoor spaces, where keeping a distance is not possible, said THL, adding that maintaining hygiene ensures that people get to have an enjoyable domestic holiday.

“Even a single situation where people are exposed to the virus may lead to a large spike in the number of coronavirus infections, as people return to their municipality of residence and then infect others in their close circle of family and friends before starting to show symptoms,” said THL Research Professor Hannu Kiviranta.

People are urged to download the Koronavilkku app on phone, maintain hand hygiene and coughing etiquette, wear masks in public transport and indoors if they cannot maintain a safe distance from others, and to avoid travel, if anyone has any symptoms, even mild ones.