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Safely into the new academic year
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By now, our students and teaching staff have returned to campus. We realise this exciting time may raise questions about safety. That is why we would like to list a few issues for you that, in addition to the regular government measures, will help us to create the safest possible environment.
As a student or member of the teaching staff, when am I not allowed to come to campus? We understand if by now you have lost track of what is and what isn't allowed. That is why we have created a handy flowchart that explains in which cases you are not allowed to come to campus.
What is the vaccination coverage/willingness within UM? For our community, it is impossible to establish a complete vaccination rate. Partly because a significant proportion of our students and staff travel to our university from various locations outside the Netherlands. However, what do we know?
- Teaching staff: Based on the overall figures for the relevant age groups, Christian Hoebe, UM Professor of Social Medicine and also head of the infectious diseases department of the Municipal Public Health Service South Limburg, believes that at least 85% of our teaching staff are fully vaccinated.
- Students: the vaccination rate among the entire group of Dutch 18–25-year-olds is over 52% (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment reference date 24 August 2021). Because this includes non-students and only concerns Dutch youth, this figure is probably not representative for our student population. A survey conducted by UM scientists among our own students (all nationalities) last spring showed a vaccination willingness of 88%.
These numbers give us confidence that our staff and students are conscious of their own safety and that of others.
Are there vaccination options for UM staff who have not yet been vaccinated? In order to enable as many people as possible to still get vaccinated, international students and employees (and their family members) can get tested and vaccinated upon arrival in the Netherlands without making an appointment - even before they are registered with a municipality. UM made this arrangement with the Municipal Public Health Service some time ago. All parties involved have been informed directly about this service. Dutch students and employees who still want to be vaccinated can go to one of the vaccination locations as well. You can read more on our vaccination page.
Can I still order self-tests? Self-tests can be ordered free of charge via zelftestonderwijs.nl at least until the end of October. We continue to stress the importance of self-testing. Self-test twice a week to protect yourself and the people around you.
What about the cleaning and waste on campus? As of 6 September, the regular cleaning programme of the UM buildings will apply again. Extra attention will still be paid to contact surfaces such as door handles and banisters. Disinfection and hygiene products will be continuously replenished. Do-it-yourself (DIY) kits can be used to clean teaching areas, study places, flexplaces and meeting rooms. There are red buckets in these areas for used cleaning wipes. Other waste should be disposed of in the designated waste units found in central locations in the buildings.
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