Clusters of coronavirus cases found among migrant workers – effective testing and vaccinations are required to prevent infection
Several municipalities have detected coronavirus infections among migrant workers who have recently arrived in Finland. Some of those infected have been admitted to hospital or are in intensive care.
Migrant workers often live in shared accommodation and use shared transport, which makes it difficult to break infection chains and provide suitable isolation and quarantine facilities.
Vaccines are the best way to prevent local infections
It is always the employer's responsibility to ensure the occupational safety of employees. In addition to ensuring safe working conditions, employers can encourage their employees to get the coronavirus vaccine and to take a coronavirus test even for mild symptoms. People who come to Finland for work can get the coronavirus vaccine in the municipality where they work.
Infection clusters are best controlled through effective testing in the workplace. Testing organized by employers and supported by local authorities has produced good results, as has regular screening with antigen or PCR tests.
In addition to detecting infections early, it is important that those infected with coronavirus also assist authorities in their investigative work and provide accurate information about their contact with other people.
Quarantine or isolation prescribed by a communicable disease control physician are statutory decisions that people must comply with.
Further information:
Hannu Kiviranta
Research Professor
[email protected]
Read more:
Guidelines for workplaces to prevent COVID-19 infection (Finnish Institute of Occupational Health)
Instructions for the construction industry (Finnish Institute of Occupational Health)
