Additional easing of restrictions as part of the exit plan
In certain exceptional cases, ETH employees can return to their workplaces from 11 May onwards. They may be able to do so on request, but require their supervisor's approval and must observe the rules on physical distancing and hygiene. Measures to ease restrictions have also been brought forward for doctoral examinations.
The course of the coronavirus pandemic in Switzerland is still moving in a positive direction, prompting the Federal Council to ease some restrictions (on shops, some restaurants, libraries, etc.) earlier than expected, on 11 May 2020. In view of this, the Executive Board has decided to bring forward two additional small steps in the original master plan's exit procedure for ETH Zurich, to start on the same date.
Early return to office is possible
In individual cases, ETH members can return to their workplace as of 11 May if they wish and subject to the approval of their supervisor or department. This new ruling affects both technical-administrative staff and ETH scientists involved in laboratory work that is not experimental research. The easing of this restriction mainly affects staff for whom working at home is difficult or particularly inefficient. In such cases, the key parameters set out in the master plan regarding physical distancing, hygiene and safety must be strictly observed. Travel to work by public transport should be avoided wherever possible.
Remote working still standard
"Despite the early easing of measures, working from home will still be the standard arrangement," stresses ETH Vice President Ulrich Weidmann, who heads the COVID-19 task force. The Executive Board advises anyone who is working well from home to continue doing so. "However, the Federal Council's decision of 29th of April to allow all shops, restaurants, markets, museums and libraries to open, also gives ETH Zurich some leeway for moderate easing of restrictions as early as the first phase of our master plan," Weidmann explains.
Hybrid form of doctoral examinations possible
Doctoral examinations can, in certain justified cases, be held again from 11 May onwards, in the physical presence of some representatives of the Examination Committee. This is conditional on the doctoral student’s agreement. The key parameters set out Downloadin the master plan regarding physical distancing, hygiene and safety continue to apply, as well as the other safety precautions adopted by the departments. Guests and visitors may not attend these exams.
ETH buildings remain closed
University buildings will remain closed until 7 June 2020 and can only be accessed with the ETH Card. Admission is still barred to students, as the government has decreed that universities must remain closed for teaching until 7 June. The Executive Board is currently deciding which buildings will be opened from 8 June 2020 onwards and will announce its decision towards the end of May.
ETH Library remains closed for the time being
One facility particularly affected by the building closure is the ETH Library, which could in theory reopen soon given the latest government decision. "Since the main building also remains closed, operational reasons unfortunately prevent us from reopening the ETH Library to the public as early as 11 May 2020, " Weidmann regrets. However, ETH members will still be sent analogue media from the library free of charge.
ASVZ to gradually start operations
In response to the government's recommendations, the Academic Sports Association of Zurich (ASVZ) will tentatively start operations again from 11 May 2020 onwards. Initially only very few types of lessons and courses held outside the university grounds and in small groups will be available. For the next phase, ASVZ is working towards controlled opening of sports facilities and is currently developing the necessary concepts for safety precautions, as well as suitable access and booking systems. The latest information is available on the website of ASVZ.
More restrictions could be eased from 8 June onwards
Providing that the coronavirus situation continues to develop positively and the government goes ahead with its provisional measures to ease restrictions, further easing may well be possible in Stage 2 of ETH Zurich's exit plan. So far, the plan has been for individual buildings to be opened, partly so as to be able to hold examinations and allow students to complete their practicals.
"Over the next few weeks the COVID-19 task force will carefully analyse and decide, depending on the situation, whether additional easing may be possible in the second stage of our exit plan, and what those measures could be," Weidmann says. The relevant decisions will be taken towards the end of May as part of an overall package of measures. Looking ahead to the third stage, which begins at the start of September, the agenda will also include the holding of events, although first we have to wait for the Federal Council's forthcoming decisions on gatherings, expected on 27 May 2020.
More information
DownloadETH master plan “Return to new normal operations”, updatet version