Restrictions for higher education lifted from 25 September

17 Sep 2021 09:37 | Communication

During its press conference on 14 September, the departing cabinet announced that the one-and-a-half-metre measure will be lifted for the whole of the Netherlands as of 25 September. For higher education, the requirement to wear a face mask, which currently still applies when moving around in corridors and lifts, will be cancelled. Also, the maximum group size of 75 people per room will be abolished. For exams, this even applies from 20 September. The hygiene rules will remain in force.

With regard to relaxations we ask you to respect each other’s choices. Ask the other person what they need to be able to study and work safely and take that into account. If you still want to keep your distance or wear a face mask, then naturally you can.

No more face masks in corridors and lifts

From 25 September, it will no longer be compulsory to wear a face mask when travelling in corridors or lifts. The one-and-a-half-metre measure that currently applies for employees in supporting roles will also disappear.

How we teach

As of 25 September, the maximum group size of 75 people per room will be abandoned. This means, for instance, that more people can attend lectures. We are looking into possibilities to adjust the timetables, but it will take time. Timetables for this quarter are already up and running, and there is also the desire for blended teaching to be considered.

Work from home or on campus

The following applies to all employees as of 25 September: work from home if possible, and on campus if it benefits your work. When on campus, you no longer need to keep one and a half metre’s distance, but of course you can if you want. Please be sure to discuss with your colleagues and your manager how to organise things in such a way that it feels safe for everyone to work at the campus locations.

Events and open days

The events protocol is being updated to reflect the latest flexibilities and rules, and will be published here soon. After 25 September, education-related events such as open days can once again welcome more than 75 people without having to adhere to any distance restrictions. Here too, we continue to strive for a mixed approach, where we organise both online and offline events.

Catering and campus restaurants

During the press conference it was announced that starting 25 September, a corona check will be carried out upon entry into catering establishments. This applies to commercial catering establishments such as Fest on the Amstel Campus, the sports café in the Muller-Lulofshuis and the Time-out Sports Café in the Dr. Meurerhuis. It does not apply to the restaurants that are an integral part of the AUAS buildings.

Ventilation in the buildings

The air circulation in the AUAS buildings has been carefully scrutinised once again on the basis of the latest findings of the RIVM (the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment). The RIVM contends that the current building regulations are sufficient to minimise the spread of the covid-19 virus by means of aerosols. The systems at the AUAS meet these requirements.

Self-tests and vaccinations

The Ministry asks us to regularly do a self-test when you come to the AUAS. This is because you could unwittingly be carrying, and therefore spreading, the virus. It is recommended to self-test twice a week. The tests are available through zelftestonderwijs.nl, as well as at the exits of all our locations.

Every adult in the Netherlands has now had the opportunity to get vaccinated. We hope that everyone who studies and works at the AUAS chooses to do so, but naturally it remains a matter of free choice.