2. Coronavirus: guidelines for staff

Coronavirus: guidelines for staff

Don't forget: always email corona@ehb.be if you 

  • Are sick
  • Need quarantine
  • Have questions

Carine Meeus is our corona-coördinator, she'll answer as soon as possible.

Update 21/5

If a student misses an exam because of a corona vaccination at the same time, we consider this a legitimate absence. This must be reported and substantiated in accordance with Article 11 of the examination regulations. The vaccination certificate serves as proof. Legitimate absences during the examinations entitle the student to a catch-up exam according to the modalities stipulated in Article 12 of the examination regulations.  

If the student is ill the day after the vaccination and therefore misses an exam, this is also considered an excused absence. The vaccination certificate will suffice as proof and no additional doctor's bill is required. Notification, justification, and the right to a resit exam are also done here in accordance with Articles 11 and 12 of the examination regulations. 
 

Update 15/4


This is the decision of our government on 14 April 2021: Higher education: from 19/4 one day a week physical presence is allowed on campus. Exams may take place physically. Make sure Canvas always contains the latest information on your classes.

Moreover, working from home is still the rule (ATP). 

Update 26/3

 

  • Working from home will be mandatory from March 29 to April 18, 2021, unless attendance on campus is extremely necessary. Those who must come to campus will register that presence in advance, with justification. A tool for this is being developed. This registration requirement is imposed on us by the government.
  • We are switching completely to distance learning. ONLY practical activities or evaluations that absolutely cannot be postponed until after the Easter vacations may go ahead live. In those cases, the usual safety standards (and in the case of the arts, the sector protocols) are strictly respected. Inform your students: update Canvas daily with the most recent information.
  • Study spaces will be provided: 
    • On the Kleine Zavel campus (for KCB students)
    • On the RITCS-Dansaert campus (for all students, also the Easter vacations
  • Follow the rules of the Federal Government, the Brussels Region and/or Flemish Brabant.
  • Do you need to go into quarantine, have you tested positive or are you sick? You must report this via corona@ehb.be
     

Update 21/12: stricter rules regarding travel

There are new, strict rules regarding international travel. Do not jeopardize your exam period and read in advance about the consequences of travelling abroad and returning to Belgium (e.g. compulsory quarantine) on the government website: www.info-coronavirus.be.

Update 7/12: rules prolonged until end of February 2021

  • The rules mentioned in our update from 23/11 will be prolonged until the end of February 2021.
  • During Christmas break, students can use the silent study spaces provided by Brik.
  • Rehearsal rooms are available for KCB students at Kleine Zavel and Kaai – Musical (blok C). 
    • 21, 22 and 23 December: from 9 am to 5 pm
    • 24 December: from 9 am to 4 pm
    • 28, 29 and 30 December: from 9 am to 5 pm

Update 23/11: more contact education as of 30 november 

The government gives us permission to offer more contact education as of 30 November.

  • Contact education: lessons in the auditoriums are permitted up to a maximum of 20% occupancy rate. Lessons in small groups are also allowed with an occupancy rate of 20%. A mouth mask is always required. Individual education is still possible.
  • Our art courses follow the sector protocols
  • Exams may take place on campus.
  • Working home is compulsory.
  • Access to the campus is only possible if you are unable to work from home. This is only possible with the permission of your head of programme/department. 
  • It is crucial that students are aware of changes in their class schedules. So make sure that Canvas offers the most up-to-date information at all times. 
This arrangement applies until the end of the first semester (unless otherwise notified).

Update 04/11 - temporary lockdown until 30/11

Unfortunately, following the general lockdown, we also have to adapt our educational activities. We are evolving from a code red to a temporary lockdown until November 30th. 

  • Digital education and working from home compulsory until 1 December. 
  • Access to the campus is only possible if you are unable to work from home. This is only possible with the permission of your head of programme/department. 
  • It is crucial that students are aware of changes in their class schedules. So make sure that Canvas offers the most up-to-date information at all times. 
Internationalisation

At the end of October, the rules on mobility were tightened. You can find all adjustments via this page.

As of 1 December

From 1 December, hopefully, if the government allows it, we will be able to resume contact education. Our priority is practical education: practicals, labs and studios will continue on campus. We will inform you about this via Canvas. 

And still in order:

  • Follow the rules, stay cautious, use common sense and be consistent in your behaviour. Avoid crowded places and think of the vulnerable people you could inadvertently infect.
  • As much homework as possible until the 9th of November 2020
  • Where possible, focus on digital lessons.
  • Inform your students: update Canvas daily with the latest information.
  • Follow the rules of the Federal Government, the Brussels Region and/or Flemish Brabant.
  • Download the corona app to slow down the spread.
  • Do you have to be quarantined, have you tested positive, are you ill, ...? You must report this via corona@ehb.be.

General guidelines

I'm infected with the Coronavirus. How do I inform the my school?

In case of a confirmed coronavirus infection: follow this step-by-step plan. We ask you to send all necessary information to corona@ehb.be.

Hygiene and tracing 

  • Wearing a mouth mask on campus is mandatory, also during class. Teachers are allowed to wear a face shield when at a sufficient distance.
  • Plexic screens are provided for 1-on-1 conversations, e.g. with student counselors.
  • For tracing purposes, we will use lists to keep track of who is present in the class. These data will be stored for 2 weeks. If someone in your class turns out to be infected with COVID, we will inform you.
  • Every covid infection still has to be reported to corona@ehb.be so that the students and staff members in the bubbles to which you belonged can be informed.
  • An app developed by EhB will monitor the cleaning of the classrooms. In this way you can be sure that you will always enter a hygienically safe room.

Catering 

Closure of the restaurants until next semester (beginning of February)

Internationalization 

  • Student and teacher mobility in Europe is allowed (but you need to take into account our local travel advice and governmental advice at your destination).
  • All international mobility must be limited to the duration of the activity and you may not travel to other regions or countries during the trip.
  • See what the possibilities are with regard to your flight, your stay, .... (cancel, refund, postpone, ...)
  • If you received a grant for your stay abroad, please contact international.office@ehb.be.

  • Of course, you must follow the local guidelines of your internship/higher education institution and the local authorities. Also keep in touch with the local embassy/consulate. Contact details can be found at here. 

Guidelines on campus

What follows is a brief summary of the guidelines. Be sure to follow the additional guidelines provided by the facility coordinators based on a risk analysis carried out per campus.  

Guidelines for the use of rooms and offices
  • The maximum number of people per room must be respected, calculated on the surface area and any other characteristics of the room. Rule of thumb is one person per 7m².
  • Employees should preferably use a fixed place.
  • Practical lessons can only take place in (very) small groups.
  • Organizing lessons in the open air is recommended where possible. Where this is not possible, classrooms should be ventilated to the maximum.
Planning of student and staff activities
  • Work on the campuses is voluntary as much as possible, unless the presence of an employee is strictly necessary. For example, anyone who has contact at home with at-risk patients should not be required to come.
  • If possible, only a limited number of rooms will be opened per floor.
  • When planning the presence of staff, the distance rules are taken into account.
  • When scheduling student activities, account will be taken of the extra time needed to decontaminate the classrooms and to move safely to and from them.
Sanitary facilities
  • The number of users per washroom will be limited to the number of washbasins (or less if 1.5 metres is not possible).
  • EhB provides extra possibilities for hand hygiene (gels).
  • We only use disposable towels.
  • Hand dryers are taken out of service.
  • Flush toilets with the lid closed.
  • Dry standing drains (floor, sanitary, ...) are avoided.
  • We inform users by displaying posters with guidelines in the sanitary facilities.
  • If possible, only a limited number of toilet blocks or toilets will be opened per floor.
Circulation in the buildings
  • The entrances and exits on the campuses are restricted.
  • We are introducing one-way traffic as much as possible.
  • We leave the (non fire-resistant) doors open as much as possible, provided we can take into account possible noise for neighbouring premises.
  • The campuses are divided into zones depending on risk and target group(s). Instructions (e.g. on personal protective equipment) will be communicated per zone via posters and/or signs.
  • EhB provides plexiglass at the reception desk(s).
Student flows:
  • Students wait in the corridor at a safe distance from each other and enter the room one by one.
  • Students take their places in the classrooms from back to front and from front to back when leaving the classroom.
  • Circulation is possible in the classroom.
  • We provide the necessary time for these movements.
Ventilation: provide as much fresh air as possible.
  • Ventilation systems are not completely switched off even when the building is not in use.
  • The ventilation system (daytime regime) will run earlier and longer than normal
  • We provide extra manual ventilation through windows, especially when entering a room that was previously occupied.
  • We provide (extra) manual ventilation via windows at a frequency of 2 to 3 times a day.
Maintenance
  • EhB has drawn up a hygiene plan together with the external cleaning company as well as for its own cleaning staff. In this plan the means and materials are included, with special attention to maintenance. 

I came back from a risk area. What should I do? 

If you have fever and respiratory complaints (such as coughing and shortness of breath), and you have been in a country with the coronavirus in the past 14 days, or there is someone in your immediate vicinity who is ill and who has been in a country with the coronavirus, call your family doctor and mention your travel history and symptoms. Do not go to the waiting room or to the emergency room. In order to prevent other people from being infected, it is advisable to keep a distance from other people.

I am infected with the coronavirus. How do I inform my employer? 

In case of a confirmed coronavirus infection: follow this step-by-step plan. After contacting your family doctor, send a notification of infection to corona@ehb.be.

What if an infection is suspected?

After contacting your family doctor, send a report of suspicion to corona@ehb.be.

Any questions?

E-mail corona@ehb.be