Last updated: 4 July 2021 at 12.15 pm (previous versions in the archive, as of 13 March 2020)

Please consult this website regarding OIEF’s guidelines and safety measures amidst the Covid-19 situation. We wish everyone to stay safe and sound!

Guidelines for OIEF’s activities:

• Worship services and devotions can be arranged on-site at St. Luke’s chapel. Safety measures apply, see below. Coffee/tea fellowship cannot take place until further notice. You can also join online via Facebook.
• Bible studies and other events can be arranged on-site. Safety measures apply, see below.
• Follow up on our newsletter (mailing list) and check our information on possible links to streaming providers (e.g. Facebook, YouTube, Virtuaalikirkko.fi)

Safety measures:

• Keep a safe distance (outdoors 1-2 m, indoors min. 2 m) between people, apart from your own family members
• Avoid physical contact such as shaking hands etc.
• People from risk groups should take extra care of themselves
• Do not attend any public or private event or gathering, if you are in quarantine or ill, especially, with respiratory symptoms, see more below!
• If need be, cough into your elbow, sneeze into a paper tissue and dispose it safely.
• Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly. Disinfectant can be used, available in the church.
• Use a face mask (as of 12 year-olds) in public transportation, hospitals and health and social care facilities, or when several people share the same space and when you cannot keep a safe distance from other people. For more details, please consult THL’s face mask guidelines. Bring your own face mask, but these are available also in the church.
• Follow also instructions by churches, public or private service providers

Recommendations for the general public:

• Public and private events and gatherings are currently not limited in terms of the amount of people. Safety measures apply.
• Churches and service providers (e.g. banks, shops) have open. Safety measures apply.
• Remote work/studies are in place only if required depending on the company, church, educational institution or organisation. Safety measures apply.
• Take special precaution when travelling. The Covid-19 situation and guidelines may differ in other parts of Finland and other countries. Safety measures apply.

Further information and advice:

• Pray for each other and the situation – locally and internationally. Ask God to provide wisdom and guidance.
• Care for each other virtually as well. Alleviate loneliness and stress that we and fellow people may experience.
• Follow the guidelines given by the governmental and health care authorities in Oulu and Finland.
• Inform yourself about Covid-19 according to  THL , the City of Oulu and the Covid-19 regional corona coordination team, and AVI, Regional State Administrative Agency in Northern Ostrobothnia
• Protect yourself and other people from infectious diseases of any kind. For suitable safety measures, consult the  guidelines  provided by THL.
• Monitor your health condition, especially, regarding any kind of symptoms of flu (fever, cough, sore throat etc.). If you have any flu symptoms, stay at home and wait until you get better. Ask others to help with everyday matters such as groceries. If your condition gets worse, contact your local  public healthcare provider in Oulu for medical advice according to the  guidelines  of THL.

The aforementioned information is based on OIEF’s leadership team assessment of the Covid-19 situation in the light of guidelines and recommendations of governmental, local and church authorities.

We intend to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and possible infections for all groups of people, and want to cater for the spiritual and other needs of people in Oulu.

We also want to encourage each other and people around us, because God is in charge of this situation as well, and Christ wants to give us his peace, which transcends all human understanding (Philippians 4:7).

For more information, feel free to call Bastian Fähnrich (+358 40 6755 195) and/or rev. Ari Savuoja (+358 40 524 5919) (BF)