Coronavirus

Introduction of compulsory face masks at the FHNW

The number of new infections in Switzerland has risen again in recent weeks and some cantons have stepped up protective measures. In view of the current situation, the FHNW’s Board of Directors has decided to tighten the university’s protective measures from 1 September 2020. In addition to the measures imposed to date, the FHNW is introducing a general requirement to wear face masks on the premises of the FHNW on 1 September 2020 (see FHNW protection concept).

This measure finds the FHNW signalling its intention to protect its employees and students as best it can from Covid-19 infection, and in so doing meeting its duty of care obligations as an employer and educational institution.

Employees and students of the FHNW will all be provided with a high-quality textile protective mask at the beginning of the semester. This mask is reusable and provides protection against aerosol as well as conventional droplet infection. Tests conducted by the FHNW School of Engineering have shown the mask to be effective in terms of filtration. The masks are being sent to employees and students by post, together with information on correct wearing and washing.

Until those masks arrive, the FHNW is issuing its employees and students with hygiene masks on its premises. These are available on campus at the FHNW Schools.

The FHNW’s employees and students are not obliged to wear the hygiene and textile masks provided by the university: they can also use other ones.

Protection concept for the autumn semester 2020/21

Since June 19, 2020 the special situation under the Epidemics Act applies in Switzerland due to the Covid-19 epidemic. Based on this Act, the Swiss Federal Council has issued the “Ordinance on Measures in the Special Situation to Combat the Covid-19 Epidemic” and formulated guidelines for protection concepts. On June 25, 2020, swissuniversities, the umbrella organisation of all Swiss universities, approved guidelines for the start of operations of Swiss universities in the autumn semester 2020/21.

The most important aspects of the FHNW’s Covid-19 protective measures are:

• Hygiene measures
• Compliance with the required social distancing of 1.5 m
• Wearing face masks. This requirement applies in addition to compliance with the 1.5 metre rule

Detailed information about the current situation for staff and students is available on Inside FHNW

For general questions, please contact: Y29yb25hdmlydXMubGlmZXNjaWVuY2VzQGZobncuY2g=

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