"Facemasks and physical distancing are key"

When the new semester kicks off in September, more of us – and many different groups of people – will come together on ETH campuses. Our students will return, and more staff will be back in their offices. In addition, ETH buildings will be fully open to the public again.

Minimising risk by wearing facemasks

"We need to make absolutely sure that everyone is kept safe at all ETH Zurich facilities during the Autumn Semester," stresses ETH Vice President Ulrich Weidmann, head of the COVID-19 Taskforce. "No health-threatening situations must be allowed to develop in public areas." The Download Master Plan for the next stage takes into account these requirements.

The most important measure: already as of 24 August, wearing facemasks will be mandatory for everyone in all ETH Zurich buildings when moving from one place to another. As soon as you reach your destination – whether it be a workplace, study desk or seat in the cafeteria – you can remove your mask. Wearing a mask is compulsory even for short trips, for example when going to the WC or another office, or standing in a queue. Wearing a mask within a shared office is not necessary, even when leaving your desk to go to the printer or coffee machine. Facemasks are also recommended in outdoor areas, especially in waiting areas where physical distancing is not always possible.

Masks must also be worn in catering facilities (which are now being opened up more extensively) until you actually sit down at a table. Wearing a facemask is also obligatory in campus shops such as the Coop or ETH Store. And another important point: even wearing a facemask, you must still always observe physical distancing rules. Always try to keep a distance of at least 1.5 metres between other people. To reduce potential bottlenecks, anyone with a flexible timetable should try to avoid peak periods. You must always respect signposting ensuring physical distancing in arrival/departure and waiting areas. The ASVZ will also resume its sports programme, while at the same time ensuring appropriate safety protocols.

Autumn Semester: mix of in-person and online teaching

As long as protective measures can be maintained, in-person teaching should be able to start again during the Autumn Semester 2020. However, classrooms will only have a maximum occupancy of 50 percent, and events will usually be offered online as well. Lectures with more than 100 students will be held online as a rule. Detailed safety protocols are currently being drafted for individual events which will specify the maximum number of participants permitted. Facemasks may be obligatory in many teaching events in view of the current circumstances. "We want as many people as possible to attend the campus. If that means having to wear facemasks, we reckon that's a sensible compromise," says Weidmann.

Since no one knows how the situation will develop over the coming months, the Master Plan allows for the possibility that course units and performance assessments can still go ahead even if in-person teaching needs to be limited further, or even suspended, over the course of the Autumn Semester due to restrictions imposed by public authorities. In this case, lecturers need to be able to switch back immediately to fully online teaching methods.

Set groups or "bubbles" of up to a maximum of 25 students will be created for exercises and/or practicals across all subjects in the first year. The bubble will contain the same members for the entire semester and allows for higher room occupancy.

The rules for performance assessments, including laboratory courses, field courses or theses, are set out in the new Coronavirus Directive on Teaching for Autumn Semester 2020 / Spring Semester 2021 (only in German at the moment).

Return to offices and labs

"Although infection rates are unfortunately edging up again, we consider current trends in Switzerland and in the Canton of Zurich as very volatile, but still controllable. It is therefore possible in principle for students and staff to return to the university," says Ulrich Weidmann. "Remote working from home will continue to be a typical way of operating in future. But in terms of creativity, sharing innovative ideas and promoting the university's common values, direct contact is still absolutely essential. ." In the currently volatile situation, supervisors are required to apply the safety protocols for their departments and groups sensibly.

Rules on physical distancing and hygiene obviously still need to be observed in offices. This means that some people will still be asked to work from home on a rota basis, so that the occupancy of open-plan offices, for example, does not exceed the permitted maximum. As before, at least 10m² space must be designated for each workstation, with a minimum gap of 1.5m between them. Every room with more than one employee present must be ventilated for 5 to 10 minutes every hour, where this is physically possible.

When returning to work, reciprocal deputisation arrangements must be put in place to ensure that a team or group can continue to function even if their members are affected by coronavirus cases and have to follow self-quarantine measures. Persons belonging to risk groups should agree individual arrangements with their supervisors.

Facemasks must always be worn in work situations where occupancy rules cannot be respected for any reason (for example in special laboratories, in a driver's cab or workshop areas).

Shorter meetings and participants log

Physical meetings within teams or between different teams are now possible again, but should not last longer than 1 ¾ hours. After every meeting, or in breaks during a meeting, the room must remain empty for at least 15 minutes and be well ventilated by opening any windows. A minimum area of 4m² must still be designated for each participant. The maximum occupancy of all the meeting rooms that can be booked is clearly marked on their doors. Those attending the meeting must clean all desk surfaces at the start and end of each meeting.

To ensure effective contact tracing, it is important to keep a list of all participants and record the date and duration of each meeting. This is the responsibility of the person chairing the meeting. In labs and workshops, a logbook should be kept of the occasional and exceptional occupancy. With informal meetings, guests must be recorded along with their contact details and the date.

Events back on in principle

Events will be allowed again at ETH from 31 August, subject to the general rules set out in the respective directives. Approval will only be given for an event if a suitable safety protocol is submitted. Furthermore, the relevant hygiene measures must be observed, and the names and contact information for all those attending the event recorded for contact tracing purposes. "There is strong demand for events to start up again. We realise this from the many requests received, but we must stay realistic. Available space is significantly limited due to physical distancing and hygiene rules, and much more space is currently needed for teaching events. These obviously take priority," Ulrich Weidmann explains. Particularly in the Main Building, the physical layout makes it difficult to hold large-scale events. "Events planned on the Hönggerberg campus definitely stand a better chance of approval," Weidmann stresses.

Travel still difficult to plan

When planning travel abroad – whether private and business trips – it is important to consult the external page government's list of countries or areas with an increased infection risk. This list, which is updated regularly, must be consulted along with the Download ETH internal information sheet (PDF, 248 KB) before deciding whether to travel. "We still advise extreme caution when considering trips abroad," comments Ulrich Weidmann.

When entering Switzerland from countries or areas with an increased infection risk (according to the list published by the government and the infection level at the time of return travel), travellers must enter a 10-day quarantine period and report their arrival to their canton of residence. Supervisors must also be informed. When returning to the workplace, it is strongly recommended that staff always wear a facemask on campus for another four days. These rules apply to students as well.

Private or business trips to countries with an increased infection risk should definitely be avoided. If possible, the trip should be delayed until the risk no longer exists. If deferral is not possible, business trips require the supervisor's approval and the employee's consent. Trips abroad organised by the students themselves for study purposes (mainly masters theses, practicals, visiting students, etc.) are taken at the individual student's own risk and responsibility.

An exchange at one of ETH Zurich's partner universities is currently only possible at a limited number of universities within Europe. The exchange is arranged through the Student Exchange Office.

Excursions and retreats are possible in principle, as long as all regulations are observed (see also the information sheet Download Guidelines for planning and carrying out excursions (PDF, 153 KB)). Overnight stays are only permitted if single rooms can be booked, as the infection risk is otherwise too high.
"The Autumn Semester will be challenging for all of us. But if we behave responsibly, together we will be able to work productively and successfully, despite the difficult circumstances," Ulrich Weidmann is convinced.