Covid guidelines for Protu operations in 2022

The guidelines are updated if necessary. Last updated 22.6.2022

The Prometheus Camp Association will continue organizing camps, training sessions, and other events in 2022 when official orders concerning the covid pandemic permit us to do so. We take infection countermeasures and official orders into account in all our events. These guidelines concerning Protu events are based on current recommendations by THL and OKM. By following these guidelines the infection risk at Protu events can be lowered. Precautionary measures are followed as the circumstances of the camps, training sessions, or other events allow. 

Download for these instructions.

Our camps have a demonstrably positive effect on youth wellbeing, which is important especially in these times. Counsellors and chefs get separate, more detailed instructions in order to guarantee the safety of our camps. Protu's office draws up a health security plan for each event instructing how risks can be reduced. The health securit plan is always displayed during an event. 

1. Sick people may not participate in camps or other events 

Covid causes respiratory infection, and its symptoms can include a sore throat, coughing, fever, shortness of breath, muscle pain, digestive issues and headaches. No child or adult is to participate in events if they have signs of illness.

Participation in events is to be cancelled if one has fallen ill with a respiratory disease immediately prior to the events or if symptoms of respiratory infection or exhaustion are present. Cancellation is also recommended if someone in your household, or someone that you have had close contact with, has been diagnosed with covid or has gotten a positive result from a covid home test. Within your possibilities, avoid contacts with people outside your household until it has been five days from the beginning of the symptoms of the infected. If several family members get sick, five days are counted from the beginning of symptoms of the last person to get sick. Therefore, in that case you cannot participate in the camp.

If you have been tested for covid with an official test in healthcare and the test result is negative, you can participate in  Protu's events IF you have no symptoms or the symptoms have been significantly reduced.

It is good to prepare for a cancellation with short notice in case the covid situation in Finland worsens and the governmental guidelines change. If this happens, the camp payment will be refunded or payments for other events will not be charged.

Cancellation of camps

We are relaxing the conditions of cancellation due to these circumstances such that only 60€ will be charged for cancellation of participation prior to a camp beginning in order to cover office expenses. If a camper doesn’t participate in a camp without cancellation, the full price of the camp will be charged.

2. Symptoms or illness during camps or other events 

If a person gets ill or develops symptoms of covid, they will be moved immediately and with a low threshold for action to a separate space to wait. Close proximity with symptomatic or ill people is avoided and a suitable distance is maintained. The symptomatic person is immediately speed tested for covid by a home test. The person with covid symptoms must wear a face mask. 

Someone who becomes ill during an event will be directed to go home and to get officially tested for covid if possible. If a minor gets ill, both their guardians and the local health centre will be contacted. 

If someone tests positive for covid during Protus event, all participants over 18 and the guardians of minors are allways informed. In case of illness, Protu’s office will serve as the contact for participants and guardians.

3. If cases of covid are confirmed during or after events 

If covid infection is confirmed during a camp, a training session, or another event, local guidelines for health safety are applied.

The infectious disease doctor of the municipality or health district is responsible for investigating the chain of infection. If covid is detected in any of the participants, the list of participants will help in the investigation. The infected and the exposed will act according to the guidelines of municipalities and health care districts. The municipal health officials will decide on investigating the chain of infection and placing the infected under isolation or quarantine.

4. Members of risk groups 

Participation of those belonging to a risk group in Protu camps or events should be evaluated by either the participant or their guardians. If needed, an attending physician may be consulted on the matter. Health districts have created further instructions for children and youth at risk.

5. Unnecessary physical contact is to be avoided 

Covid is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets. During camps and other Protu events situations involving direct contact are avoided.

1.     Arrival and departure from camps

Only a closed group participates in the events. Handshakes or hugs may not be given when arriving or leaving.

2.    Accommodations   

Accommodations will be organized more sparsely than usual if possible.

3.    Meals

Good hand hygiene is to be maintained prior to and after meals. Groceries will be acquired by delivery or through other arrangements if possible, so that the chef doesn’t visit the store. The chef ensures the hygiene of the meal and follows separate instructions in order to maintain it.

4.    Program

Program is planned with less physical proximity than usual. Emotional closeness will still occur during camps, but distancing will be maintained.

5. Good hand- and respiratory hygiene prevents infection

Covid is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets. Properly implemented hand- and coughing hygiene prevents infection.

Everyone is to wash their hands after leaving the bathroom, before and after meals, when coming indoors, after coughing or sneezing, or when one's hands are visibly dirty. Participants will be instructed on proper handwashing technique at the beginning of events, and instructions will be placed at sinks. Handwashing will also be augmented by the use of disinfectant. Hands are to be dried with paper towels or personal hand towels.

If handwashing is not possible, disinfectant will be used. Disinfectant is easily available. It is instructed to avoid touching the nose, eyes or the mouth except if one has just washed their hands.

The mouth is to be covered by a tissue when sneezing or coughing. The tissue is to be disposed of immediately afterwards. If tissues are not available, the mouth is to be placed in the crook of the elbow. Hands are to be washed immediately afterwards.

6. Cleaning 

Covid can also be transmitted through touch. Virions do not persist for long periods in air or on surfaces at varying temperatures. Covid has not been detected to spread through objects. Slightly basic cleaners are used when cleaning. Cleaning in sanitary facilities can be augmented with disinfectant.

All often-touched surfaces such as door handles, armrests, tables, light switches, and taps will be wiped daily.

The usage of shared tools, such as pens and craft supplies, will be avoided when possible. After use, these tools will be cleaned thoroughly.

Participants are recommended to bring their own pens, erasers, and eventual craft supplies if possible. The usage of difficult-to-clean shared tools is to be avoided.

7. Corona pass

The organization has implemented the use of corona pass. It is used according to the local guidelines. 

8. Other things of note

You can get additional information on special arrangements during Protu events in 2022 by sending a message to korona@protu.fi.  

More up-to-date information on covid can be found on THL:s website

OKM:s covid FAQ

WHO:s Handwashing instructions