Masks recommended for upper secondary schools in Helsinki

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) has issued an update that broadly expands the official mask recommendation to public spaces, including general upper secondary schools and vocational education in the wake of coronavirus outbreak.

The capital city area of Finland is experiencing an acceleration phase, which the THL has judged sufficient to recommend the use of face masks in upper secondary (US) schools whenever close contact cannot be avoided, said a press release.

Students are encouraged to take the expanded mask recommendation seriously and start wearing masks, unless they have a specific medical condition that prohibits them from doing so.

The recommendation officially takes effect on 1 October 2020, but the residents of Helsinki are encouraged to start using the masks immediately.

Compliance with the mask recommendation can prevent stricter measures like opening hour restrictions or a transfer to distance learning.

People in need, students included, can pick up face masks free of charge at one of several distribution points arranged by the municipalities.

Employers will provide teachers and other staff of municipal learning institutions with masks at free of cost.