16 September 2021

Much to our delight, further Covid-19 relaxations have been announced. Nevertheless, we are aware of the fact that we need to continue to work in a responsible and safe manner. We will need your help to do so. We also have to be aware of the fact that further changes may follow as the Fall and Winter semester develops. The following points are the most important consequences of the relaxations that will take effect as of 25 September.

Guidelines for the faculty

The University is only a safe place if everyone takes proper responsibility. This means, for example:

• Stay at home if you have symptoms of a cold, and get tested.
• Get tested if you have been in contact with someone who has been infected with the coronavirus.
• As a preventive measure, take a self-test twice a week. Students and staff at our university can order self-tests free of charge via Zelftestonderwijs.nl. Remember that you may have to wait a few days for the tests to arrive.
• Ventilate rooms by (regularly) opening the doors.
• Give each other space in the corridors and other areas of heavy traffic – so called ‘circulation areas’.
• Stick to the Campus Protocol and follow all instructions when in the buildings.
• If you have any concerns, please contact your manager.

Teaching

• In teaching activities, the maximum limit of 75 students per room will be dropped. The university will provide an update of the Covid-19 file next week.
• The schedule of teaching activities in block 1 will not change. The practicalities and possibilities of teaching with more students per room will be looked at per programme and determined by the programme’s course coordinators and directors.
• The rule to keep a 1,5 meter distance during examinations will be abandoned, which means we will have more capacity to have exams take place in person instead of online. As we lost one of our largest examination locations (the Holiday Inn), we still have quite the planning challenge on our hands but are confident that we can fulfil the wishes of each course coordinator while keeping in mind that things might change again in the future.
• Make sure that the information on the Covid-19 guidelines on the Brightspace page of your course is up to date. Also mention, for example, that there are specific attendance restrictions and how students should deal with these.
• Staying home when you have contracted Covid-19 as well as testing when you are showing symptoms remains important in order to create a safe work and study environment for everyone.
• It will continue to be necessary to make reservations for a study place in the library via SharedDesk.

Face masks no longer mandatory but still allowed

As of 25 September, face masks are no longer mandatory. Of course, they may still be worn on a voluntary basis and lecturers may also request students to wear a face mask in lectures/working groups. Therefore, always bring a face mask to the university.

Have you tested positive?

If you have tested positive for the coronavirus, we ask you to report this. Employees can do this through their manager or by sending an e-mail to: corona@law.leidenuniv.nl. This way, we keep an overview and can properly assess any consequences for the organisation at large. We process corona reports anonymously and notify the university safety coordinator. You may also ask your manager to report your positive test result anonymously by sending an email to the aforementioned e-mail address.

Vaccinations

Students and staff can get vaccinated at a number of GGD vaccination locations without having to make an appointment beforehand. See www.prikkenzonderafspraak.nl or make an appointment via www.planjeprik.nl or by calling the GGD.

Gatherings and graduation ceremonies

The Covid-19 relaxations also apply to graduation ceremonies and other activities. For each event, we will state the applicable guidelines in the invitation and programme.

Work

• It is possible for staff who are not directly involved in education or educational support to work on location on a limited basis. Please consult with your manager and team.
• As of 25 September, it is no longer necessary to file a formal request to work at the Law School for (part of) a working day.
• To work at the Wijnhaven location in The Hague, please use the SharedDesk app.

Stay informed

The current rules on the coronavirus will always be guiding for the University in its teaching and research. An update from the university will follow next week: Coronavirus updates.