Faculty-specific instructions concerning the exceptional circumstances due to the coronavirus outbreak at the University of Helsinki

Use of University premises

Work-related duties should be carried out remotely, whenever possible. Working on the University premises in a planned manner taking into account safety precautions, including maintaining the recommended safe distance of two metres from others, continues to be possible. 

In all faculty premises (including laboratories, greenhouses and the Viikki Research Farm) only 6 people are allowed to be present simultaneously starting from March 8. This applies also to premises where the maximum amount of people has previously been more than 6 people. This is not applicable to teaching events.

Wearing a protective face mask is required on University premises, unless there are no other people present. This is also the case at Hyytiälä field station and in reseach laboratories. 

Teachers are responsible for distributing masks to all students, teachers and eventual visitors in the contact teaching or supervising events.

Work premises at the laboratories or greenhouses must be prebooked by using a form available at the faculty Flamma-page (requires logging in with University credentials) and a permission by department head is required. Bookings are monitored and permissions are given by the department heads.

If there is a need to work at the faculty office premises, one has to get a permission beforehand from his or her head of department.

Appropriate rules concerning hygiene and personal safe distances to others must be followed when working in all faculty premises.

Research done in a close personal contact should be avoided and research-interviews should be done remotely. If research or interviews must be conducted in a close contact, researcher needs to submit a detailed plan about how the research is conducted safely. Plan needs to be sent to vice-dean of research. Response center processes the plans and makes decisions on permissions.

Instructions for organizing teaching  

All lecture courses and guidance, in addition to small study groups, practical exercises and seminars will be provided remotely. Laboratory teaching will continue to be provided as on-site teaching according to the approved teaching programme. Safety instructions and facility occupancy guidelines must be followed. The maximum size of an individual group is 20 people. The group sizes should be kept as small as possible. A permission of the faculty response center is required for all other necessary on-site teaching needs. 

The amount of people present in each teaching event must be reported to the faculty response center by sending the course name and code, place and schedule and group sizes to janna.pietikainen@helsinki.fi before the start of the course. Also the on-going contact teaching in the third teaching period should be reported as soon as possible.  

All on-site exams will mainly be transformed into remote exams and/or examinarium exams. If it is necessary to provide the possibility to an on-site exam, a permission of the faculty response center is required. The maximum amount of people present allowed in an on-site exam is 6 people. An on-site exam cannot be the only type of exam provided for a student.

Regarding other possible on-site teaching needs, the faculty response center will decide on the permission based on the safety and organisation plan provided by the teacher in charge. Mask use is recommended in contact teaching, independent study as well as guidance and supervision situations. In laboratory teaching, mask use is required. Teachers need to get the masks from their department contact person and make sure that they are distributed to students before a teaching situation begins.

The decision is valid for the time being and regarding teaching until 31.7.2021.  

Wearing a protective face mask is required in all contact teaching, guidance and supervision situations. In laboratory teaching, mask use is required. Teachers need to get the masks from their department contact person and make sure that they are distributed to students before a teaching situation begins. Porter services will be available for students that need access to locked buildings where on-site teaching or exams take place. 

Equipment for remote working 

If needed Faculty staff members may borrow technical equipment e.g. computer, screen, mouse, keyboard, web cam, headset may be taken to the home office for the period of remote working with a permission of supervisor. Please notify the head of the department if you have borrowed items or equipment from the university. Teachers may purchase similar, minor equipment if needed for remote teaching. Please contact vice-dean for education in order to reimburse the cost.