31.03.2020

Information on Corona and Support for Immigrants

Are you worried about coronavirus or the limitations and changes it has brought to everyday life? On this site, you will find information on what to do if you need help or, for instance, are looking for activities for your whole family. New forms of support are constantly being developed and taken into use, and information is updated on this page when the situation changes. (Updated 13.1.2021).
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Information on corona in your own language

Turku Region Interpretation Centre has compiled a PDF document that includes

  • information on corona produced abroad in 23 languages
  • information on corona produced in Finland
  • multilingual Finnish and international links

For organizations

If they wish, organizations can communicate their service details related to the the state of emergency caused by coronavirus on Poikkeustilanpalvelu webropol form (In Finnish) or by sending the information by e-mail at osallisuus@turku.fi

Services intended for immigrants

The low-threshold info point of the City of Turku Infotori serves in 14 languages at Skanssi by appointment and by phone. Guidance in Arabic, Dari, English, Kurdish, Pashto, Persian, Polish, Romanian, German, Somali, Finnish, Thai, Russian and Estonian.

Language specific guidance times and service numbers have been listed on the website turku.fi/en/infotori. Moreover, current information and news translated in different languages are updated on the Facebook page of Infotori.

Maahanmuuttajien Osaamiskeskus offers guidance for job search, study matters and learning Finnish in at least the following languages: English, Arabic, Dari, Kurdish, Persian, French, Swedish and Russian.

Information about coronavirus and changes in services offered by the City of Turku is distributed to linguistic minorities also in collaboration with immigration liaison officers, the Multicultural Council and different associations. Information targeted for immigrant entrepreneurs in the form of websites and webinar is being planned, as is web content for multicultural families to make everyday life easier.

Information on coronavirus in different languages

The City of Turku gathers current information to provide guidance on corona and changes to city services on the website www.turku.fi/en/corona. You can translate the page into your own language using Google Translate.

If you suspect having caught coronavirus, see here for instructions and contact details.

  • If you need medical care for another illness, book an appointment at your own health station, tel. +358 2 266 1130 or contact your occupational health care.
  • In case of emergency or if you need an ambulance, please call 112.

Instructions in different languages for coronavirus testing for children and teens

Coronavirus-themed cartoon

Information about the coronavirus situation in Turku

Instructions for Turku residents and for people visiting or staying in Turku and voluntary quarantine 12/2020 (PDF)

How should I act in a coronavirus situation? How do I use a cloth face mask? What does self-isolation mean?

Several sources offer information on coronavirus in different languages:

  • InfoFinland  has gathered links leading to websites of Finnish authorities and information on coronavirus in 12 languages.
  • YLE news service offers news videos and information of coronavirus on Arabic, Somali, Kurdish and Persian.
  • Instruction videos by Daisy Ladies on protecting yourself against coronavirus are available in Arabic, Somali, Persian, Kurdish and Spanish.
  • Immigrant associations distribute information on corona through their own channels.
  • Does coronavirus testing hurt? – Olavi, 9, talks about his testing experience on a video by Helsingin Sanomat. Subtitles in arabic, english and swedish. 

Instructions in different languages for persons ordered into quarantine or isolation

Information on how to use mask right

Instructions in different languages for how to put on a mask and how to remove a mask correctly

Instructions for people who have been exposed to coronavirus

 Instructions for people who have caught coronavirus

     Instructions for people who have a family member with coronavirus

    Instructions for people who have a family member exposed to coronavirus and ordered into quarantine

    Corona information WhatsApp Picture (1080x1080px)

    Schools and day care

    Don't infect others!

    • Stay home as much as possible
    • Don't give hugs
    • Don't shake hands
    • Don't go near others
    • Avoid all group meetings and don't arrange them
    • Wash your hands carefully with water and soap
    • Use single-use tissues when you cough and sneeze

    Crisis helplines also in Arabic and English

    • If the current epidemic or any other factor causes anxiety, the national crisis helpline is open 24 hours per day. It is a low-threshold conversation service that you can contact instead of worrying on your own.
    • Phone numbers:
    • in Finnish +358 9 2525 0111 – open 24 hours per day
    • in Swedish +358 9 2525 0112 – open 20 hours per day on weekdays (Mon-Fri) 
    • in Arabic and English +358 9 2525 0113 – open 20 hours per day on weekdays (Mon-Thu)

    Furlough, unemployment or disrupted payment of salary

    Have you been placed in quarantine? You may be eligible for an infectious disease allowance.

    You may qualify for an infectious disease allowance if you have been ordered to go into formal quarantine and cannot work. Additionally, you must be covered by the Finnish social security system. Read more from the instructions in English (PDF)

    Multilingual information on support available for businesses and entrepreneurs

    • Many immigrants work as entrepreneurs and have encountered financial difficulties due to the state of emergency caused by coronavirus. The Finnish state, ELY centres and municipalities help and support businesses finding themselves in financial difficulties in many ways.
    • In collaboration with the City of Turku, the Tempo project has created a list of different support opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs in Finnish and English. The list will also be translated into Arabic, Dari, Kurdish and Russian.
    • The list can be found in the Tempo project blog.

    Kela has opened a nationwide telephone service in Russian, Arabic and Somali

    • Due to the state of emergency caused by coronavirus, the Russian, Arabic and Somali telephone services in the capital region have been opened for nationwide use. The lines are open on Mondays, Wednesday and Friday from 9 am to noon. They are open only during the state of emergency caused by coronavirus and when they eventually close down, it will be communicated separately. If the customer is able to handle their affairs in Finnish, Swedish or English, they will be redirected to other service numbers. If they are able to handle their affairs online, they will be advised to do so.
    • Kela telephone service numbers:
    • Arabic +358 20 6344 902
    • Somali +358 20 6344 905
    • Venäjä +338 20 6344 901
    Keywords: 
    coronavirus
    immigrant
    immigrant languages