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ÅAU makes adjustments due to the coronavirus

ÅAU makes adjustments due to the coronavirus

16.3.2020

Due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, Åbo Akademi University has adjusted its operations in accordance with the authorities’ instructions and restrictions, and in accordance with the guidelines agreed upon with other universities.

Updated 19 September 2022, 11:05.

Exchange students in Turku: Please also see the Q&A maintained by Turku University.

Contents

Teaching arrangements

  • Vice-Rector’s guidelines for distance participation in face to face courses during the academic year 2022-2023 are on the intranet.
  • It is up to each and every one of us to make sure that we maintain sufficient safety distances between each other.
  • Do not come to campus if you are showing symptoms of cold or influenza.
  • For the faculties’ own arrangements and solutions to practical problems, please turn to your own faculty coordinator or director.
  • The digi-mentors provide the teaching staff with instructions on what teachers should pay attention to when teaching remotely, and in hybrid courses. Click this link to read more information on the intranet.
  • Course registration is mandatory for all courses. The teacher must make sure that the students are registered for the course and must also approve all registrations in Peppi. Due to the circumstances, course registration is particularly important to enable infection tracing.
  • Bottles with disinfectants are placed in the different campus buildings and there are also disinfectants available in lecture halls and other areas to clean computers and copying machines. Everyone is required to clean the machines after using them.
  • Study counselling and tuition must be scheduled and will mainly be given remotely. Please contact your study counsellor to book an appointment.

Face masks

  • If they wish, teachers will be supplied with visors to wear while teaching.
  • Masks needed during necessary work trips will be provided by the employer. Masks needed for trips between home and the workplace will be paid for by the employees themselves.

When visiting campus

  • Maintain safety distance to others.
  • We recommend that those who belong to any risk group use face masks on campus.
  • Wash your hands with soap.
  • Cough and sneeze in single-use disposable tissues.

If you’ve tested positive for the coronavirus

  • Anyone who’s tested positive is asked to not visit campus either:
    • In accordance with the directives from the health authorities (if the positive result was received after an official test) or
    • If the health authorities haven’t been in contact, or if tested positive by a so-called home test, for at least five weekdays since the day of the positive test result, but also so that the person has been without symptoms for two days.

Studies

Work

  • Some Åbo Akademi University employees are piloting a model for flexible hybrid work. More information on the intranet.
  • Teaching and researching staff perform their work within the framework of total working time and can discuss and come to agreement with their supervisors regarding possible work outside campus.

Libraries

Travel

  • Work related travels abroad are allowed but the recommendation is to consider remote participation to lower the total amount of travels. The national recommendations and travel restrictions are to be followed.
  • Work related travels within the country are allowed with the approval of the supervisor. The national recommendations and traveling restrictions must be followed.
  • Study related travels might be allowed with the approval of the Dean, students are advised to contact their teacher.
  • National recommendations for travel can be found on THL:s, and The Foreign Ministry’s pages. For information on travel rules within the EU you can visit this page.

Events on ÅAU’s premises

  • Anyone who arranges activities unrelated to teaching or research, indoors or outdoors, on campus in Turku or Vaasa on weekdays after 18, on weekends or on holidays must make a separate registration for the event. More information on the intranet.

Exchange studies and International Master’s Programmes

  • Outgoing exchange students/international internships: The authorities’ categorization of the safety situation of each given country as well as local authority instructions must be considered.
  • Incoming exchange students are welcome, according to the authorities’ categorization of the safety situation of each given country as well as local authority instructions. Streaming is an option for international students unable to enter the country.

Help and support

There are many that can help you, if you experience corona worry or don’t know how to handle the situation.

Care for your health

  • If you experience symptoms or suspect you are infected, in addition to a health center, you can also contact occupational health care (010 4140 666) for advice.
  • You can make a symptom assessment using the Omaolo service at www.omaolo.fi.
  • Remember the importance of good hand hygiene and greet in other ways than by shaking hands.
  • At the same time, we want to remind you that it is everyone’s own responsibility to stay at home when we are sick to avoid unnecessary infections of various kinds.

It is of great importance that ÅAU staff and students follow the instructions that the Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) maintains on its pages (the link leads to the English page, but the page in Finnish is updated more frequently, and is recommended if you understand the language).

The city of Turku’s coronavirus information, in English.
The city of Vaasa’s coronavirus information, in English.

The hospital districts also inform on how the situation is developing.

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