Last night, Prime Minister Rutte announced the toughest lockdown so far. The number of infections is increasing rather than decreasing and there seemed to be few signs of the situation improving if no additional measures are being taken. What this means is that, for example, so-called ‘non-essential’ shops will have to close their doors until 19 January 2021, and sports facilities, theatres and museums will also close again. Hereby, we will explain the consequences of the new measures for the University of Twente.
Please keep in mind that the government is also advising people to receive no more than 2 people aged 13 or over at home per day. There is an exception to this on 24, 25 and 26 December: then, up to 3 people can visit, excluding children under 13. Outside, the maximum group size is 2 people, including during the festive period. A full overview of measures can be found here.
Education
The Government has given universities leverage to allow education to continue partly. For example, exams and practicals may take place on campus according to schedule, as well as tutoring vulnerable students. We do ask teachers to consider whether, for example, exams can take place online. Students who have to use lab facilities for their bachelor's or master's thesis are allowed to come to campus.
Graduation colloquia for bachelor and master programmes will only be held online; this applies also to other types of educational activities for which it is not strictly necessary to meet up and/or to make use of campus facilities.
This directive will remain in force for the entire period until Monday 18 January 2021. In the week preceding that date, the Government of the Netherlands will decide on what the situation in the subsequent period will look like; we will inform you about this at that time.
PhD defences
In the upcoming period, PhD defences will only take place online. This means that no audience can be present physically when you are defending your thesis. Also, it is not possible to postpone a promotion until a later date.
Research
In the upcoming period, you may continue to carry out research for which you have to use laboratories. Of course, the corona regulations remain in force. This also applies to external users of our lab facilities.
Travel
If you need to come to campus for research or education, you are allowed to use public transport.
The Government's advice not to book trips abroad has been extended until mid-March. Travellers from outside the EU who are coming to the Netherlands may need to submit negative results of a Covid-19 test upon arrival (please note that quarantine is still required even with a negative test result). More information is available on the website of the Government.
For students and staff who study or work at UT and live in Germany, they are allowed to travel to and from the university under the so-called ‘minor border traffic scheme'. For German students who live in the Netherlands and intend to travel to Germany during the Christmas period, they fall under 'regular' travel advice: the Government of the Netherlands discourages them to travel and quarantine is required, which may lead to you not being able to attend activities on campus such as exams.
Care for children
In the upcoming period, both childcare and primary and secondary schools will be closed; teaching will be taking place online. For teachers and other staff involved in teaching, theirs is regarded as a 'crucial profession'. If they have children, these may continue to attend primary school or childcare. If you as an employee will still run into in trouble with combining your home situation and work, please confer with your supervisor to find a suitable solution.
Closure of facilities
In the upcoming period, a number of facilities on the campus will be closed. For example, the Sport Centre will close its doors – the pick-up counter and physical therapy office will remain open – and Bastille, Pakkerij and water sports buildings will close their doors. Study associations will not be allowed to use their spaces in UT buildings during the next five weeks.
The library will remain open for self-study, for those students who do not have a good place to study at home. The conditions already in force for making reservations will continue to apply.
The various counters for the collection of goods will remain open. If you have ordered home office supplies, you can pick these up on workdays between 10.00 and 15.00 at the Faculty Club, until Thursday 24 December 2020. From 4 January 2021 onwards, this will only be possible on Thursdays from 10.00 to 15.00.
Tough period
It is a major disappointment that new measures are required to control the coronavirus. It means that in the period to come, we will have to do even more things from our homes and we will get to see each other less often. We are confident that as a UT community, we will brave this new lockdown well. We are ready to help each other if need be, and offer professional support for students who need it.
Earlier, we informed you about our Share-and-take care community. We welcome the great interest we have received, but we have also noticed that a number of activities possibly cannot continue or will need to be adapted. On the website, we will be updating the list of activities soon.
