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During the press conference on 13 August, the Dutch government announced new corona measures. For higher education, the most important measures are that the 1.5-metre distance measure will no longer apply as of 30 August and that a maximum group size of 75 students will be allowed. In addition, the government has emphasised the wearing of face masks by students and teaching staff outside classrooms and lecture halls, preventive self-testing twice a week, the enforcement of existing hygiene measures, good walking routes in buildings, optimum ventilation and as many vaccinations as possible. Below, we tell you what these measures mean for our students and staff and how we will continue to create a safe environment at UM.
Education and examinations The government's new rules mean that, in the new academic year, we can once again provide education on campus and we can have exams on site. For education, however, a maximum group size of 75 people in each separate room with seating will apply from 30 August. This rule also applies to individual rooms at the library. UM employees are not counted among the 75 people. The government is expected to decide in mid-September if the maximum group size can be further increased. On Wednesday 18 August, the teaching and examination schedules will be published. From that date onwards, you can access your schedule via the Student Portal.
INKOM Based on the government measures, the Workgroup INKOM has produced a programme that meets all of the safety requirements. Large events, such as the parties and the Opening at the MECC will not take place. All other programme components, however, can take place this year to offer new students a warm welcome to Maastricht as their new student city. This programme offers cultural, sporting and informative events and activities. For each part of the programme, we have identified the necessary safety requirements, such as ‘Testing for Access’. This way, we ensure that the events can be organised in full compliance with the government regulations. The Workgroup INKOM itself takes care of communication with the participants. You can view the full INKOM programme here.
Faculty introductions For the faculty introductions that start on 23 August, the 1.5-metre distance rule still applies. This means that we cannot avoid having the introductions more or less online. This situation may differ per faculty. Participants will be informed about the programme by their own faculty over the course of the week.
Safe environment Since the beginning of the corona crisis, we have done everything in our power to create the safest possible studying and working environment. It goes without saying that we will continue to do so in the coming period. Recently, we ourselves have been advising people to wear face masks in crowded places in our buildings. This will now become the rule: wear a face mask when walking in the buildings. If you sit down somewhere, you can take it off.
Within the buildings, we will continue with intensified cleaning, the existing ventilation measures, one-way traffic in the corridors and the provisions for hand sanitisation upon entry. And of course: wash your hands as often as possible, do not shake hands, and, if you have cold-like symptoms, stay home and get tested at the GGD.
We would also like to stress the importance of self-testing. Use the self-tests twice a week to protect yourself and the people around you! Self-tests can be ordered free of charge until 1 September via zelftestonderwijs.nl.
Furthermore, in consultation with the municipal health services (GGD), we actively provide information on vaccinations. International students and staff who have not yet been fully vaccinated have been informed by letter—again in close cooperation with the GGD Limburg—of the possibility to be vaccinated immediately upon arrival in the Netherlands.
Safe on campus for students Education will be on campus, but in a limited number of exceptional cases where students cannot be on campus, an online alternative will be offered. All EU/EEA students can enter the Netherlands freely, subject to the applicable corona measures. This also applies to non-EU/EEA students who are in possession of a temporary residence permit or a letter from the IND stating that they will receive a residence permit to study in the Netherlands.
However, it is possible you are unable to come to Maastricht for reasons related to the coronavirus. This could be because you are not allowed to travel to Maastricht from your country of residence, for instance. In that case, if possible, you can start your programme online. If it is not possible, as is the case with laboratory work, you will have to catch up on those activities later.
As soon as the restrictions are lifted, we expect you to be on campus. If you have any questions about this or about other personal circumstances, please contact your study adviser. Please note that we do not offer online alternatives for incoming exchange students who are unable to travel to Maastricht.
Safe on campus for staff We also expect employees who support our educational processes to be back on campus by 30 August. If, despite all the safety measures, you still have concerns about safety, please contact your manager. We have recently provided managers with a ‘handbook’ on how they can talk to you about these concerns and what you can do together so that you can come to work with peace of mind. If there are possible medical reasons for not coming to campus, you can make an appointment with the company doctor, but please consult your manager first.
Working from home The government has not yet rescinded its recommendation to work from home as much as possible. However, now that the 1.5-metre distance measure has been lifted for higher education as of 30 August, some of our employees can again work primarily on site for educational purposes, and others from home if the nature of their work allows.
As part of Future of Work @ UM, the topic of working from home is high on our agenda. Agreements have also been made on this subject in the new collective labour agreement. We are currently discussing and deciding with all stakeholders how we at UM will give shape to working from home. In the coming six months, we also want to gain practical experience with this. In the shorter term, you can discuss the possibilities for working from home with your manager.
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