The Institute’s Protection Plan

COVID-19 – PROTECTION PLAN EFFECTIVE FROM 20 December 2021

 

The Federal Council has decided to strengthen the measures to combat the coronavirus in order to prevent its spread

 The main elements of the plan are the following however, please see the document below for full details:

1) Strict adherence to hygiene rules (e.g. regular hand washing with soap or disinfectant) and behavioural rules (maintaining a social distance of 1.5 metres). Antibacterial hand gel stations are available at each of the entrances to the Institute as well as in classrooms and meeting rooms. Disinfectant sprays will also be made widely available for people to clean their workstation or study area on arrival and departure.

2) Wearing a mask is mandatory at all times on the Institute's premises, the common areas of the of the two student residences, the Library and in the classrooms. Teachers and teaching assistants may remove their mask when giving a lecture or workshop, as well as staff who are working in an individual closed office space.

Fabric masks as well as surgical masks can be purchased from the Reception Desk. The FOPH’s mandate on how to properly wear a mask must be followed by all persons present on the premises of the Institute. 

3) The Institute will resume teaching in hybrid mode if all students are not present in Geneva. The COVID certificate or attestation will be mandatory for all courses.

4) Distance working from home is the rule, taking into account the needs of the Institute to ensure the continuity of our services.

5) Internal meetings should be conducted online.

6) The Institute’s buildings are open, Monday to Friday from 8:00-22:00 and Saturday/Sunday from 9:00-19:00. Visitors must announce themselves and be greeted at the reception desk.

7) All events held indoors may be organised provided that all attendees present a COVID certificate/attestation and a form of identification. Wearing a mask is mandatory. Outdoor events of less than 300 attendees will not require a COVID certificate. All rooms can be used to their full capacity and the collection of the participants’ contact details is no longer compulsory.
The new measures for events constitute the required minimum at the federal level, but event organisers are free to hold their events with further measures.
Indoor and outdoor seated receptions (cocktails, aperitifs and parties) are allowed with a 2G COVID certificate and a form of identification. Standing outdoor receptions are prohibited. 

8) The cafeteria is open to the Institute's community only from 08:00 to 16:00 Monday to Friday. A COVID certificate/attestation needs to be presented.  

9) The library is only open to the Institute's community. A COVID certificate/attestation needs to be presented.  

10) The Institute asks that unnecessary business travel be avoided. The FOPH regularly updates this list of countries based on the changing epidemiological situation.

Please visit this page to determine if you are required to; complete the electronic incoming form, provide a negative test result (PCR test within the last 72 hours or Rapid Antigen test within the last 24 hours) prior to arrival into Switzerland as well as 4-7 days after arrival.

11) Anyone presenting symptoms must be tested (the test is reimbursed by the health insurance). In case of a positive result, they will be placed in isolation by the cantonal medical authorities. The cantonal doctor will be in touch with anyone who has been in contact with the positive tested person and will decide on a possible quarantine. For more information on these measures, please consult the FOPH’s website and their Instructions on Isolation.

S.T.O.P. CORONAVIRUS 
 

Guide to measures and principles at the Graduate Institute

S.T.O.P. | SUBSTITUTION

  • Prioritise teleworking by all means possible.
  • Privilege online meetings and work.
  • Dematerialise document and information exchange flows to avoid direct contact.
  • Avoid public transport during peak hours; privilege other means of transport like soft mobility. 
  • Guarantee high-risk people that they will not be exposed. No requirement is set by the employer for the people concerned. If necessary, an alternative teleworking activity can be established for those at high risk. 

S.T.O.P. | TECHNIQUE

  • When necessary, use a plexiglass protection (on pass-through windows, for example)
  • When necessary, separate desks.
  • In waiting lines (at windows, in the Library, for example), heed the floor markings.
  • In the elevators, respect the Institute’s COVID-19 maximum capacity indications: 1 person per elevator.

S.T.O.P. | ORGANISATION

  • Organise rolling schedules for personnel sharing the same spaces or desks.  
  • Respect the 1.5 metre distance with your colleagues, interlocutors and anyone else in the common areas and the offices as well as the building’s exterior. 
  • Non occupied offices may be shared among staff.
  • The number of people together in meeting rooms, kitchens and pause areas will be reduced (1pers. = 4m2).
  • Shift working hours to avoid using public transport during peak hours. 
  • Extend working hours so teams are not all required to work during the same time period.

S.T.O.P. | PROTECTION

  • Regularly wash hands, either with soap and water or with antibacterial hand gel (everyone should have their own personal bottle). 
  • Clean hands with antibacterial hand gel before and after using shared material. 
  • Wear a mask if the 1.5 metre social distance cannot be guaranteed (notably on public transport). 
  • Regularly disinfect common work spaces with antibacterial gel and a paper towel (found in the bathrooms).
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CORONAVIRUS

PROTECTION PLAN OF THE INSTITUTE - FULL VERSION

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