The instructions were changed yesterday afternoon so that people with the virus who have no symptoms should work remotely. Those infected who are unable to work remotely should agree with their supervisor on other work or study at home.
“A medical certificate can only be issued for a symptomatic one,” reads the amended instructions.
Kirsi ValtonenChief Physician of Infectious Diseases of the City of Vantaa, explained the reasons for the instructions to Helsingin Sanomat on Monday. He said the instructions were given because the city does not have the means to guarantee compensation for loss of income to those infected but asymptomatic in circumstances where isolation decisions are not made.
He added that the guidelines are “one step towards acceptance” that the disease is more common than is known.
“We wanted to be open about it and wrote it in the instructions,” he said. “I understand this is a source of debate and certainly criticism. We have now reworded the wording a bit, but it does not solve the underlying problem.
“There is no justification for making an isolation decision for an asymptomatic person if we cannot make it even for an asymptomatic person.”
According to Helsingin Sanomat, the instructions have been drawn up independently by the city and not, for example, by a working group coordinating epidemic activities in the Helsinki metropolitan area.
Valtonen added that employers can, of course, allow an asymptomatic employee who has contracted the virus to stay home and receive a salary, but no compensation is paid for it.
“But we, the officials responsible for communicable diseases, cannot oblige them to do so. The city of Vantaa has adopted this approach, and I recommend it to other employers as well.
He acknowledged that asymptomatic plaintiffs pose a risk of infection at work and that it can cause concern among their co-workers.
“There is a risk of infection, of course, but it’s good to keep in mind that there are probably coronavirus-positive people in the workplace that you don’t already know about,” he said. “It’s good to keep in mind that every encounter can be contagious, even if the test hasn’t confirmed it. It is good to wear masks, keep others at a safe distance and avoid eating in large groups. And it’s good to make sure you’re properly vaccinated. Coronavirus disease is typically mild in fully vaccinated people.
Timo AronkytöDeputy Mayor for Health and Social Services in Vantaa, told me According to YLE, the original instructions were incorrect and should not have been published. They did not comply with or violate the binding guidelines issued by the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
“Our epidemiologists have probably wondered what happens when a person gets positive [test] as a result, but is completely asymptomatic; whether it would be a reason to get sick at home and receive sickness benefits from the employer and [the Social Insurance Institution of Finland] Coil.”
According to Aronkytö, the updated instructions are not without problems either.
– Our experts obviously do not want to tell people when they are entitled to sickness benefit and when they are not. It’s a matter between the employee and the employer, he told the broadcaster.
“Perhaps the issue of sick leave was presented here as too strong a guideline. Employees must apply for sick leave whenever necessary on the basis of normal sick leave practice in their workplace, and they are different in different workplaces. “
The people of Vantaa follow THL’s instructions, he emphasized. “Our employees follow the five-day rule. If the home test is positive, no one will come to town to work, ”he said.
Aleksi Teivainen – HT
Source: The Nordic Page