20 September 2021

At the press conference on Tuesday 14 September 2021, the government announced it would be easing various measures. This will make it possible to teach large groups on campus once again, something we are really pleased with. The measures will be eased on 25 September 2021. New rules on exams and quarantining will apply sooner. We will publish a new version of the Campus Protocol on 25 September, which includes all of the new measures.

The main changes as of 25 September are:

• The maximum group size of 75 people will no longer apply in higher education. This means it will once again be possible to teach large groups. More of our teaching will gradually move on campus, in a good mixture of online, blended and hybrid forms. Each degree programme will make its own choices here. The degree programmes will inform their students if and when any changes will be made to their timetable.
• Face masks will no longer be compulsory inside University buildings. Anyone who wishes to may, of course, still wear one. Lecturers may also ask their students to wear a face mask during a lecture or tutorial.
• The advice on working from home will change: we should work from home if we can and at the office if we need to. Staff should discuss with their managers how to give shape to this.
• Events will no longer have a maximum capacity, except for those events that do not have allocated seats. Then a maximum of 75% of the regular number of guests will be allowed.
• Catering services in the buildings of educational institutions whose target group is students and staff (canteens, for instance) will not need to check whether people have a covid certificate, so they will be open to all.

Please note: other rules may apply in the LUMC buildings. The LUMC will let you know as soon as possible which measures will apply to its teaching and from when.

Maximum group size at exams 
As of 20 September, the limits to group sizes at exams will no longer apply. Neither will the 1.5m distancing rule. This means that from 20 September all exams can proceed as normal. Students will hear from their degree programme if this means a change to their exams.

Quarantine rules for travel
As of 22 September 2021, the quarantine rules for travel to the Netherlands will change. Read more about this on the Government website. If you are arriving from abroad, do the Quarantine Travel Check to see which rules apply to you. If this check tells you to quarantine at home, you may not come into the University during your quarantine.

Safety and responsibility
We are pleased that large lectures can go ahead once again and ask everyone to keep these as safe as possible for all. Give people space, take care and respect others if they are wearing a face mask or ask you to keep your distance.

In addition, always do the Corona Check before coming to the University and take a free self-test (rapid antigen test) twice a week. Read here what to do if your self-test is positive. We also advise you to get the vaccination. To make an appointment in Leiden contact GGD Hollands-Midden and in The Hague GGD Haaglanden.

If you test positive for coronavirus, we could like you to report this to us. Students can inform their study adviser and staff can inform their manager. To find out why we ask this and what we do with the information, read here.