Instructions on how to use our services during COVID-19 pandemic

See 21.3.2023 updated news and coronavirus-related instructions

Updated on the 3^rd of May 2022

You can decrease the risk of getting a COVID-19 infection by taking care of your hand hygiene, keeping the safety distance and through wearing a facial mask. The FSHS is undertaking precautions to protect our customers and personal until the authorities deem them not necessary.

Instructions for FSHS appointments

At FSHS service units both the health professional and student use a facial mask during the in-person appointment unless the treatment measure otherwise require.

Our appointment services are working in a normal manner in accordance with premade appointments.

You can come to your appointment if you are symptom free in accordance with the agreed appointment time for either a remote or in-person consultation. You will be offered a remote consultation in all situations where it is feasible. Remote consultations are a safe way to come to an appointment. Familiarize yourself with remote consultations.

In case you belong to a risk group and are symptom free, we recommend that you start your treatment process based on the need for treatment assessment or continue your treatment in accordance to the treatment plan. Check the THL definitions of risk groups.

Act as follows in case you have an upcoming appointment and have symptoms that are indicative or a respiratory tract infection, or if you are for some other reason under quarantine, or if you are waiting for a COVID-19 test result:

In case you are coming on an oral health appointment, cancel your appointment
If you have an appointment for mental health, you can change your appointment into a remote consultation through contacting us either through Self or by calling our national service numbers.
If you have another type of appointment, inquire of the possibility to change your appointment into a remote consultation through contacting us either through Self or by calling our service numbers:
- General and mental health services Tel. 046 710 1073
- Oral health services Tel. 046 710 1085
If you have a referral to SYNLAB: Check the instructions from their website.

If you have symptoms or suspect a COVID-19 infection

In case your symptoms are indicative ofa COVID-19 infection, or if you have been in close contact with a person who has a laboratory verified COVID-19 infection then you are advised to contact your local public health center or its on call number. You will receive further instructions from the health care professionals on how to act. It is important to react if you have symptoms that fit into the symptoms of COVID-19. Read more about the typical symptoms.

You can estimate your own condition through the COVID-19 questionnaire at the Omaolo-service. You will get an estimation on the likelihood of a coronavirus infection based on your answers as well as instructions on how to seek treatment in different situations.

People who live within the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa can use koronabotti.hus.fi/en service to estimate their own condition.

General guidance and more information from: the national phone number 0295 535 535 and the chat-guide.

Please note, that the FSHS does not conduct COVID-19 tests as this mission is assigned according to the Act on Infectious Diseases to the public sector.

Coronavirus vaccines, tests and certificates are conducted by the public sector

Coronavirus related vaccinations, tests and certificates are conducted by the public sector and more specifically the municipalities. Please, contact your local health care authorities in case you have questions related to these vaccines.

Information on corona vaccines can be found on thl.fi website.

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Updated on the 19th of May 2021

You can decrease the risk of getting a COVID-19 infection through maintaining safety distances and by taking care of your hand hygiene. Wearing a facial mask also decreases the risk. The FSHS is undertaking all precautions until the moment the authorities deem them not necessary.

When you have symptoms or suspect a COVID-19 infection

In case your symptoms are indicative of an acute respiratory tract infection and/or stomach symptoms with symptoms that include a fever, of more than 38 degrees Celsius, and you have a cough and/or dyspnea, nausea, diarrhea, and you have traveled abroad in recent weeks or been in close contact with a person who has a laboratory verified COVID-19 infection then you are advised to contact your local public health center or its on call number. You will receive further instructions from the health care professionals. It is important to react if you have symptoms that fit into the symptoms of COVID-19. Read more about the typical symptoms.

You can estimate your own condition through the COVID-19 questionnaire at the Omaolo-service. You will get an estimation on the likelihood of a coronavirus infection based on your answers as well as instructions on how to seek treatment in different situations.

General guidance and more information from: the national phone number 0295 535 535 and the chat-guide.

Please note, that the FSHS does not conduct COVID-19 tests as this mission is assigned according to the Act on Infectious Diseases to the public sector.

When you are coming to an appointment

The FSHS recommends the use of facial masks for those who visit the FSHS service units.

Our appointment services are working in a normal manner in accordance with premade appointments.

Act as follows in case you have an upcoming appointment and have symptoms that are indicative or a respiratory tract infection, or if you have returned from abroad from a country classified as a risk country, or if you are for some other reason under quarantine, or if you are waiting for a COVID-19 test result:

In case you are coming on an oral health appointment, cancel your appointment
If you have an appointment for mental health, you can change your appointment into a remote consultation through contacting us either through Self or by calling our national service numbers.
If you have another type of appointment, inquire of the possibility to change your appointment into a remote consultation through contacting us either through Self or by calling our service numbers:
- General and mental health services Tel. 046 710 1073
- Oral health services Tel. 046 710 1085
If you have a referral to SYNLAB: Check the instructions from their website.

Coronavirus vaccines, tests and certificates are conducted by the public sector

Information on corona vaccines can be found on thl.fi website.

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Updated on the 1st of October 2020

After a calm summer the coronavirus cases have gradually increased in Finland and epidemy is not over. The risk of getting a coronavirus infection remains and therefore it is of utmost importance to respect safety distances and taking care of proper hand hygiene. Authorities have given regional recommendations on the use of facial masks. The FSHS is also continuing in undertaking other safety measures in accordance to recommendations and orders issues by the authorities.

When you have symptoms or suspect a COVID-19 infection

In case your symptoms are indicative of an acute respiratory tract infection and/or stomach symptoms with symptoms that include a fever, of more than 38 degrees Celsius, and you have a cough and/or dyspnea, nausea, diarrhea and you have traveled abroad in recent weeks or been in close contact with someone who is a laboratorium verified COVID-19 coronavirus infection then you are advised to take contact with your local public health care center or its on call number. Health care professionals there will further instruct you on what to do next. For now, the FSHS is not conducting COVID-19 tests in accordance to the law of infectious diseases which allocated the duty to the public sector.

It is important that you are tested for the coronavirus in case you have symptoms which correspond to the symptoms caused by COVID-19. Read more about the typical symptoms.

You can estimate your own situation through the COVID-19 questionnaire at the Omaolo-service.On the basis on the answers you give you will get an estimation of the likelihood that you have been infected by the COVID-19 virus. In case it is deemed that you might have an infection you will also get instructions on how to seek treatment.

General guidance and more information from the national guidance channels: the national phone number 0295 535 535 and the chat-guide.

When you are coming to an appointment

FSHS appointment services are working in a normal manner in accordance to premade appointments.

You can come to your appointment if you are symptom free in accordance to the agreed appointment time for either a remote or in person consultation. In case you have an appointment or incase you are making an appointment you will be offered the possibility for a remote consultation in all such cases where it is possible. Familiarize yourself with remote consultations.

In case you belong to a risk group and are symptom free, we recommend that you seek treatment for non-urgent oral health related issues in accordance to the need for treatment assessment or an agreed treatment plan, which has already been made. Check the THL definitions of risk groups.

Act as follows in case you have an upcoming appointment, in case you have symptoms, which are indicative of a respiratory tract infection, or if you have returned from a risk country in less than 14 days, or if you are for some other reason under quarantine, or if you are waiting for a COVID-19 test result:

In case you are coming on an oral health appointment, cancel your appointment
If you have an appointment for mental health, you can change your appointment into a remote consultation through contacting your service unit.
If you have a other type of appointment, inquire of the possibility to change your appointment into a remote consultation through contacting your service unit.

The deadline for cancelling your appointment has been for now been altered due to the COVID-19 situation. You can cancel your appointment up to one-hour before your appointment without needing to pay a penalty fee for a no-show appointment. You can cancel your appointment either through Self-service or by phone. Observe that you find a dedicated cancellation number in several service units’ own websites. Attention! You will be charged for appointments in which you do not show up and have not cancelled.

Travel health advice service reopens

The FSHS travel health advice service reopens on the 17^th of August 2020. However, in case you are about traveling abroad you should personally check the travel restrictions and quarantine regulations of the target country.

Group activities are beginning again

Group activities will start once again during autumn. Activities will be mainly held online and in the possible in person groups we will ensure that proper safety distances, hygiene are respected. If deemed necessary also facial masks will be distributed for group activity participants. Decision on possible in person groups are made on a local level. We will inform in case of changes due to the situation.

Sick leave certificates

Several Finnish universities have announced that they will not oblige, in the current situation, sick leave certificates from their students. Therefore, the FSHS will not on a general level be issuing such certificates.

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Updated on the 18th of August 2020

When you have symptoms or suspect a COVID-19 infection

In case your symptoms are indicative of an acute respiratory tract infection and/or stomach symptoms with symptoms that include a fever, of more than 38 degrees Celsius, and you have a cough and/or dyspnea, nausea, diarrhea and you have traveled abroad in recent weeks or been in close contact with someone who is a laboratorium verified COVID-19 coronavirus infection then you are advised to take contact with your local public health care center or its on call number. Health care professionals there will further instruct you on what to do next. For now, the FSHS is not conducting COVID-19 tests in accordance to the law of infectious diseases which allocated the duty to the public sector.

It is important that you are tested for the coronavirus in case you have symptoms which correspond to the symptoms caused by COVID-19. Read more about the typical symptoms.

General guidance and more information from the national guidance channels: the national phone number 0295 535 535 and the chat-guide.

When you are coming to an appointment

FSHS appointment services are working in a normal manner in accordance to premade appointments.

Act as follows, in case you have symptoms, which are indicative of a respiratory tract infection or if you have returned from a risk country in less than 14 days:

In case you are coming on a oral health appointment, cancel your appointment
If you have an appointment for mental health, you can change your appointment into a remote consultation through contacting your service unit.
If you have a other type of appointment, inquire of the possibility to change your appointment into a remote consultation through contacting your service unit.

Travel health advice service reopens

Group activities are beginning again

Sick leave certificates

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Updated on the 4th of August 2020

The COVID-19 situation has remained stable in Finland throughout the summer. However, the epidemy is not over. The risk of getting a coronavirus infection remains and therefore it is of utmost importance to respect safety distances and taking care of proper hand hygiene. The FSHS is also continuing in undertaking other safety measures in accordance to recommendations and orders issues by the authorities.

When you have symptoms or suspect a COVID-19 infection

In case your symptoms are indicative of an acute respiratory tract infection and/or stomach symptoms with symptoms that include a fever, of more than 38 degrees Celsius, and you have a cough and/or dyspnea, nausea, diarrhea and you have traveled abroad in recent weeks or been in close contact with someone who is a laboratorium verified COVID-19 coronavirus infection then you are advised to take contact with your local public health care center or its on call number. Health care professionals there will further instruct you on what to do next.

If your symptoms are mild and you do not belong to a risk group, rest and recover at home until your symptoms are gone. Mild symptoms include sniffle, a cough, throat ache, muscle ache or fever. Read THL instructions for homecare.

General guidance and more information from the national guidance channels: the national phone number 0295 535 535 and the chat-guide.

When you are coming to an appointment

FSHS appointment services are working in a normal manner in accordance to premade appointments.

Act as follows, in case you have symptoms, which are indicative of a respiratory tract infection or if you have returned from abroad in less than 14 days:

In case you are coming on a oral health appointment, cancel your appointment
If you have an appointment for mental health, you can change your appointment into a remote consultation through contacting your service unit.
If you have a other type of appointment, inquire of the possibility to change your appointment into a remote consultation through contacting your service unit.

Travel health advice service reopens

Group activities are beginning again

Group activities will start once again during autumn. Activities will be mainly held online and in the possible in person groups we will ensure that proper safety distances and hand hygiene is respected. We will inform in case of changes due to the situation.

Sick leave certificates

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Updated 16th of June 2020

The coronavirus (COVID-19) causes respiratory symptoms similar to those caused by influenza. Moreover, the coronavirus can also cause symptoms in the stomach. Some of those infected can also develop pneumonia. However, the majority of those that contract the virus develop only mild symptoms.

In case you have mild symptoms and you do not belong to a risk group, then stay home until you have no symptoms. Mild symptoms include a runny nose, a cough, throat ache, muscle ache and fever. Read the instructions by the Finnish institute for health and welfare on home care.

In case your symptoms are indicative of an acute respiratory tract infection and/or stomach symptoms with symptoms that include a fever, of more than 38 degrees Celsius, and you have a cough and/or dyspnea, nausea, diarrhea and you have traveled abroad in recent weeks or been in close contact with someone who is a laboratorium verified COVID-19 coronavirus infection then you are advised to take contact with your local public health care center or its on call number. Health care professionals there will further instruct you on what to do next.

You can evaluate your own health condition through the symptom estimate questionnaire at the Omaolo-service (only available in Finnish and Swedish).

You can receive general advice and further information through the national coronavirus information phone number 0295 535 535 or through the chat service.

Regarding FSHS appointments

You can come to your remote- or service unit appointment in case you are symptom free according to the agreed time. However, remember to check whether or not your appointment is a in person or remote appointment prior to coming to the appointment. In case you have an appointment or in case you are going to make an appointment you will be offered the opportunity to remote consultations in all such cases where it is feasible. Remote consultations are a safe way to see a doctor.

We recommend, in case you are symptom free but belong to a risk group, that you start getting treatment for non-urgent oral health matters either through contacting our personnel for an assessment of your need for treatment or through continuing with your treatment plan. Read the Finnish institute for health and welfare definitions regarding risk groups.

If you do not have a Finnish online banking ID or a mobile ID, bring your passport to your first appointment at FSHS for the online authentication. In remote consultations you can identify yourself by showing your passport at the video conference. Read more about remote consultations.

Observe that it might not be possible to change an ordinary appointment into a remote consultation through the appointments calendar as there might not be available time slots. However, in such cases you should call your local service unit in order to change your appointment into a remote consultation.

Follow these instructions, in case you and appointment and you now have symptoms in your respiratory tract and/or stomach symptoms or if you have returned to Finland from abroad within the past 14 days:

If you have an appointment for oral health then cancel your appointment
In case you have an appointment for mental health you can change the appointment into a remote consultation through contacting your service unit
In case you are coming to another type of appointment then you can inquire for the possibility of remote consultation through contacting your service unit

You can cancel your appointment up until on hour before your appointment without a cancellation fee. You can cancel your appointment through Self-service or through calling your service unit. Observe that you can find the cancellation phone number through the service units own website. NOTE! We will charge you a cancellation fee in case you have not been in contact with the FSHS.

You can contact the FSHS if needed through your local treatment assessment number or by contacting us through the SelfChat.

Travel health advice service is closed

FSHS travel health advice service is currently closed. We will notify separately when the service will be reopened.

Groups cancelled

Due to the coronavirus epidemic all group based treatments are cancelled with the exception of those groups that are held online.

Sick leave certificates

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Updated 13th of March 2020

The coronavirus (COVID-19), which initially started spreading from the Chinese province of Wuhan, has now spread to Europe where the spread of the disease has accelerated. The Finnish institute for health and welfare predicts that an epidemic in Finland is inevitable.

The virus causes respiratory symptoms similar to those caused by influenza. Some of those infected can also develop pneumonia. However, the majority of those that contract the virus develop only mild symptoms.

In case you have fallen ill with a fever, of more than 38 degrees, and have symptoms in your respiratory tracts such as a cough and/or dyspnea and you have traveled abroad recently or been in close contact with someone who has a laboratorium verified coronavirus infection we urge you to:

stay home
contact your local health center or the on-call health center services by phone. Health care professionals there will further instruct you from there on how to get help

You should not arrive to FSHS service units because you risk infecting other people with the virus.

Cancellation of an appointment

Cancel your appointment with the FSHS in case you have even mild symptoms of a respiratory tract infection. We have altered our cancellation terms due to the ongoing situation regarding the coronavirus. You can cancel your appointment and hour prior to the appointment without any cancellation fees. NOTE! We will charge you a cancellation fee in case you have not been in contact with the FSHS.

Sick leave certificates

Remote consultations at your service

Appointments are operating normally at the current moment. You can contact the FSHS if needed through treatment assessment phone number or through the SelfChat service. Hereafter, we will offer you the opportunity for remote consultations in all such situations where the matter makes it possible. Read more regarding the remote consultations from here.

Follow these

You can follow the current affairs concerning coronavirus (COVID-19) through the Finnish institute for health and welfare website.
Are you about to travel? Check the Ministry for Foreign Affairs website for the latest travel advisories (in Finnish). There you can find important information about travelling abroad and instructions on how to submit a travel report.

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Updated 10th of March 2020

The coronavirus (COVID-19) which initially started spreading from the Chinese province of Wuhan has now caused cases of pneumonia in several countries.

According to the Finnish institute for health and welfare 155 cases of the infection have been observed in Finland (updated on the 13th of March).

Cases of the coronavirus can be found amongst individuals who have

traveled to Mainland China (excluding Macao, Hong Kong and Taiwan), South Korea, Iran or Italy, ski resorts in Tyrol, Austria and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany or
individuals who have been in close contact with someone infected by the coronavirus

In case you have fallen ill with a fever, of more than 38 degrees, and have symptoms in your respiratory tracts such as a cough and/or dyspnea and you have been to the aforementioned areas hit by the epidemic within the past 14 days before your symptoms started or in case you have been in close contact with someone who has a laboratorium verified coronavirus infection we urge you to:

stay home
contact your local health center or the on-call health center services by phone. Health care professionals there will further instruct you from there on how to get help

Note! If needed you can contact us through our treatment assessment or SelfChat. However, you should not come to our service units if you think you might have the coronavirus infection as you risk infecting others.

Follow these

You can follow the current affairs concerning coronavirus (COVID-19) through the Finnish institute for health and welfare website.
Are you about to travel? Check the Ministry for Foreign Affairs website for the latest travel advisories (in Finnish). There you can find important information about travelling abroad and instructions on how to submit a travel report.

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Updated 27th of February 2020

The coronavirus (COVID-19) which initially started spreading from the Chinese province of Wuhan has now caused cases of pneumonia in several countries.

According to the Finnish institute for health and welfare 2 cases of the infection have been observed in Finland (updated on the 26th of March). However, the risk of infection remains low in Finland.

Cases of the coronavirus can be found amongst individuals who have

traveled to Mainland China (excluding Macao, Hong Kong and Taiwan), South Korea, Iran or Italy, ski resorts in Tyrol, Austria and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany or
individuals who have been in close contact with someone infected by the coronavirus

stay home
contact your local health center or the on-call health center services by phone. Health care professionals there will further instruct you from there on how to get help

You can follow the current affairs concerning coronavirus (COVID-19) through the Finnish institute for health and welfare website.

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Updated on the 6th of February 2020

In early 2020 different cases of pneumonia have been observed in the Chinese city of Wuhan located in Hubei province. The cause of these infections has been identified as an outbreak of a new type of coronavirus (2019-nCoV). One case of Wuhan coronavirus has been observed in Finland on the 29^th of January according to the Finnish institute for health and welfare (updated 13th of February 2020).

Individual cases of the illness may be found in Finland as a result of tourism and other international travel. However, the risk of infection remains extremely low in Finland.

Possible cases of the coronavirus (2019-nCoV) are possible amongst travelers that have traveled to Mainland China or amongst individuals that have been in close contact with an infected person.

In case you have fallen ill with a fever, of more than 38 degrees, and have symptoms in your respiratory tracts such as a cough and/or dyspnea and you have been to Mainland China (excluding Macao, Hong Kong and Taiwan) within the past 14 days before your symptoms started or in case you have been in close contact with someone who has a laboratorium verified coronavirus infection we urge you to:

stay home
contact your local health center or the on-call health center services by phone. Health care professionals there will further instruct you from there on how to get help

You can follow the current affairs concerning the Wuhan coronavirus through the Finnish institute for health and welfare website.

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Updated on the 30th of January 2020

One case of Wuhan coronavirus has been observed in Finland on the 29^th of January according to the Finnish institute for health and welfare.

Individual cases of the illness may be found in Finland as a result of tourism and other international travel. However, the risk of infection remains extremely low in Finland.

In case you have fallen ill, with a fever of more than 38 degrees and with symptoms such as a cough or dyspnea in your respiratory tracts, after visiting Wuhan, China or after having been in close contact with someone that has been infected with the coronavirus in a case that has also been verified with laboratory test results we urge you to:

stay home
contact your local health center or the on-call health center services by phone. Health care professionals there will further instruct you from there on how to get help

You can follow the current affairs concerning the Wuhan coronavirus through the Finnish institute for health and welfare website.

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27th of January 2020

In early 2020 different cases of pneumonia have been observed in the Chinese city of Wuhan located in Hubei province. The cause of these infections has been identified as an outbreak of a new type of coronavirus. There are no known cases of Wuhan coronaviruses in Finland according to the Finnish institute for health and welfare. However, it is possible that individual cases of the illness may be found in Finland as a result of tourism and other international travel.

In case you have visited Wuhan, China or in case you have been in close contact with someone who has fallen ill with the corona virus, which has also been verified in laboratory tests, and you have the following symptoms:

Fever (more than 38 degrees) and
Symptoms in your respiratory tracts (a cough, dyspnea).

We advise you to stay home and contact your local health center or the on-call health center services by phone. Health care professionals there will further instruct you from there.

When necessary, you can contact the FSHS through phone or SelfChat.

Further information: https://thl.fi/en/web/infectious-diseases/what-s-new/wuhan-coronavirus-latest-updates

Follow these

You can follow the current affairs concerning coronavirus (COVID-19) through the Finnish institute for health and welfare website.

Facial mask recommendation by the Institute for health and welfare

Traveling and COVID-19