The effect of coronavirus on your studies - Q&A
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Page updated on January 7 at 15.45.
This page is updated with current information related to the COVID-19 coronavirus situation at the University of Helsinki, especially regarding studies.
Regarding the coronavirus, the University always follows the instructions given by the authorities. Up-to-date information can be followed on the University website: Coronavirus situation at the University of Helsinki.
The University’s website has a list of faculty- and unit-specific instructions on coronavirus. You can find up-to-date information about your faculties coronavirus measures from there.
The first information session of 2021 on the exceptional circumstances brought about by the coronavirus pandemic focused on instructions related to beginning the spring term.
Current situation
The validity of the decisions made by the coronavirus management group of the University of Helsinki has been extended from 10 January to 31 January 2021.
- The University’s premises, museums and UniSport are closed until 31 January 2021.
- Self-access facilities (e.g. computer labs) are closed until 31 January 2021.
- It is possible to make reservations to the Examinarium exams that are already in the system. If the doors to the building are closed, please call to the porter (see: section on Examinations).
- No events or gatherings will be held on University premises. This does not apply to necessary teaching and examination sessions permitted by response centres. Small-group instruction and any necessary examinations will be made possible by opening facilities as requested by the relevant response centre. Wearing a protective face mask is required on University premises, unless there are no other people present.
- With the exception of the Kaisa House library, Helsinki University Library locations are closed until 31 January 2021. Kaisa House library and The National Library of Finland are open for pick-up service on
- Public examinations cannot be held on site. In conjunction with online public examinations, only the doctoral candidate, the opponent, the custos and other members of the grading committee, if any, an IT support specialist and the immediate family of the doctoral candidate are permitted to be present on site. The maximum occupancy of individual rooms is 10 people.
UniCafe Kaivopiha is closed 23.12.-3.1., Chemicum, Meilahti and Ruskeasuo are closed 21.12.-10.1. The situation may change so check the latest information on Unicafe's website.
Observing common rules remains the top priority in preventing the spread of the coronavirus
- Do not come to the campuses when ill or when experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus disease Assess your need for testing here: Omaolo service.
- Be sure to practise extremely careful hand and coughing hygiene.
- Leave room for others, and always keep a distance of one to two metres from others, whenever possible.
- Do not shake hands or hug people.
- Avoid unnecessary contact. In other words, meet in person only when necessary.
- Mask use is recommended in all teaching situations, independent study as well as guidance and supervision situations. The use of protective face masks is strongly recommended for everyone visiting public University premises. In laboratory teaching, mask use is required. Read the latest information on masks on the University's website.
- Please remember to clean any equipment in joint use after using it. Overall, cleaning activities at the University have been intensified.
- Remember to register especially for contact teaching courses on time, because in the case of a coronavirus exposure, the tracing of students will be done mainly based on the registration lists in WebOodi.
- The University of Helsinki also recommends using the Koronavilkku contact tracing app, so that possible exposures to the virus are easier to trace and the virus can be prevented from spreading
- Finnish institute for health and welfare (THL) has comprised a bulletin where they instruct students how to participate in student life safely during the coronavirus situation. THL e.g. recommends that events are organised remotely, meetings will be conducted outside instead of indoors and gatherings will be kept small.