Coronavirus Information and Updates

As stated above, in-person classes have been suspended by the Federal Authorities until April 4. Academic Travel classes concluded March 11, and students will have Spring break from March 12-22, with no classes scheduled. Beginning March 23, classes will resume with technological support through our learning management system and videoconferencing tools.

Students that have gone home or choose to go home are encouraged to remain there for the duration of this situation, as there is no guarantee that it will be possible to return to Switzerland easily or without a quarantine period. Students who are no longer on campus will be able to complete their coursework and connect to classes through the remainder of the term, using the tools provided. Differences in time zones are being taken into consideration. Specific instructions for the continuation of courses will be provided to students prior to March 23.

Faculty and students who require technical assistance beyond the instructions they should have already received from IT Services should contact:

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+41 91 986 3668

In line with the current directives of the Federal authorities, offices and services on campus are operational, including Grace Library, Health and Counseling, and IT Services. The Library will have a maximum occupancy of 10. Some staff may be directed to work remotely or on a different schedule, according to the needs of each office, the health status of employees and any current or future recommendations or directives contained in Federal policies.

In general, supervisors will be in contact with staff in their areas to organize remote and flexible work whenever possible. Staff that have delicate health conditions or fit one of the at-risk categories should contact their supervisors to organize working remotely. See more information below under At-Risk Individuals.

Campus sports and fitness facilities are closed, and all indoor group activities or those with more than 30 participants are canceled until further notice. Open-air activities that follow the prevention protocols and do not exceed the number of participants can be held as scheduled.

Dining services will continue to operate in compliance with the directives of the Federal authorities. Students will be asked to stagger their eating times in order to avoid lines and crowds. Under the current directives, the dining halls have a maximum allowed occupancy of 50 people, who must be conscious of others and maintain a safe distance.

All residences are operational. See more information below under Housing.

The Office of IT Services is working to assist with installing and accessing the appropriate tools for working remotely as necessary. Anyone requiring assistance should contact:

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+41 91 986 3668

The federal authorities have established the following restrictions to slow the spread of COVID-19:

• All shops and restaurants (including pubs and bars) and all entertainment venues (discos, cinemas, theatres and casinos) are closed. Restaurants within hotels are open but limited to the guests staying there. Our Dining Hall will stay open as planned, in compliance with the new regulations, and will continue to follow the prevention and hygiene protocols already in place.
• Home delivery services in Lugano are operational, allowing people to stay home and order online
• Grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations and kiosks are open as usual.
• Postal services, banking and financial insurance services are guaranteed.
• Personal service activities (hairdressers, barbers, beauticians and tattoo shops) must remain closed to the public, including those exercised at home.
• Private businesses must reduce activities to a bare minimum
• All religious functions are suspended. Houses of worship will remain open following the hygiene protocols.
• All public and private events are prohibited.
• Gatherings of more than 5 people are prohibited. Anyone found in violation will be fined 100 CHF and will be subject to prosecution for a felony.
• People 65 and older or those in any risk category must stay home except where specific to medical needs.
• Public access to offices is prohibited, and working remotely is preferred whenever possible.
• Outdoor exercise is possible as long as it is close to home and the social distancing/hygiene protocols are respected.

The cantonal police and the municipal police will supervise compliance with these provisions. People found violating these directives will be fined or prosecuted.

In almost all regions across the globe there is risk of COVID-19 infection. Franklin strongly discourages any travel at this time.

In the event that Students decide to travel or return home, they must complete the Independent Travel Registry in Moodle. Students will not be permitted to return to campus without having completed the form. Any students returning from abroad will be asked to self-quarantine upon their return for the minimum ten-day period and to apply the quarantine protocol. See more details under Housing below.

Students who are currently traveling away from campus should take usual safety precautions as recommended by the World Health Organization. Anyone returning to Switzerland should consult the Federal Office of Public Health’s Recommendations for Travelers.

Students already on campus who have recently traveled outside of Switzerland are encouraged to monitor their health. If students have any symptoms, they should immediately contact Health and Counseling at:

Staff and faculty are encouraged to postpone any previously scheduled travel plans, working out the details with supervisors as necessary.

Entry Into Switzerland

As of March 16, 2020, the Federal Council has implemented border controls on the German, Austrian and French borders, adding to those already in place on the Italian border. Entry from neighboring countries is now only allowed for Swiss citizens, people with a Swiss residence permit, people who regularly work in Switzerland, and people in absolute need. The transit and traffic of goods are allowed.

As the situation may continue to change quickly, we recommend that people interested in coming to Switzerland contact the Swiss Embassy or Consulate in the country from which they wish to enter Switzerland. Contact information is available on the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs website.

Academic Travel

As you know, we were unable to allow travel to destinations around the world for Academic Travel. While we recognize how disappointing this decision was for students and their families, the health and well-being of our students and faculty remain paramount.

Given the current extraordinary circumstances, we have established the following withdrawal policy for this semester’s Academic Travel courses:

1. Students may choose to withdraw from Academic Travel without providing additional documentation.
2. In order to complete (and earn credit for) an Academic Travel class, students must have been on campus March 9 – 13, to participate (see above). If students were not able to attend this week, then they must withdraw from the class.
3. If you will be withdrawing from the Travel class, please inform your professor and also complete a Course Withdrawal form (to be submitted to the Registrar’s Office) by Friday 6th March.

If you have any questions about withdrawing from Academic Travel, please contact the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Students are welcome to stay in their assigned campus housing through the end of the term. As the evolution of the directives from Federal authorities allows, students that remain on campus should be able to return to classes once the restrictions have been lifted.

Roommates will not be put at risk. The Office of Student Life has identified empty rooms and apartments in campus housing to allow for separation of roommates or moving sick and healthy people as necessary.

Students leaving their campus housing temporarily or permanently are asked to pack their belongings in labelled boxes. If students decide not to return before end of term, or are unable to return, those boxes will either be stored or shipped as designated by the student.

Students who intend to leave on-campus housing must complete the housing form to communicate their plans and must leave their room keys and mailbox keys on the desk in their rooms when they go. In the event that the indicated plans change, the housing form should be filled out again to communicate those changes to the Office of Student Life.

For more information on current housing policies and procedures, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

If students, faculty or staff begin to suffer from flu symptoms, such as fever, cough or shortness of breath, they must stay home and contact a health care professional. No one should go in-person to seek health care without specific instructions from their doctor. After a verbal assessment, the individual will receive specific instructions on how to proceed with self-care or obtain assistance.

Faculty and staff should contact their doctors directly.

Students should contact the campus Health and Counseling staff at:

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+41 91 986 53 11

Anyone who has had contact with a COVID-19-positive individual will be expected to self-quarantine for the minimum 10-day period. If no symptoms occur within 10 days of the last contact with a COVID-19-positive individual, people can resume normal activity according to Federal guidelines. In the event that a student in campus housing becomes infected, the Office of Student Life has set aside apartments and rooms for the purpose and will place any roommates in separate housing for the quarantine period.

People who fit one of the following descriptions are considered to be at-risk:

• People over the age of 65
• People suffering from cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases or chronic respiratory diseases
• People with conditions or undergoing therapies that weaken the immune system

Faculty and staff in one of the risk categories should not report to work and should contact their supervisors for more information. Students in a risk category should follow prevention protocols, avoid coming to campus and should contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

The Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) recommends simple measures to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus as part of their campaign:

Protect Yourself and Others.

Hygiene Rules and How to Behave

Wash your hands thoroughly.

Avoid shaking hands.

Stay at home if you have a high temperature and a cough.

Keep your distance.

Cough and sneeze into a tissue or the crook of your arm.

Always call ahead before going to the doctor’s or the emergency department.

Franklin Recommendations

The university recommends the following additional prevention practices in compliance with the directives of the Swiss public authorities:

• Wash your hands often. It is recommended to use hydroalcoholic solutions for hand washing in public places, gyms, supermarkets, pharmacies and other meeting places.
• Avoid close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections.
• Maintain, in social contacts, an interpersonal distance of at least one meter.
• Practice respiratory hygiene (sneezing and/or coughing in a handkerchief, avoiding hand contact with respiratory secretions).
• Avoid the promiscuous use of bottles and glasses, especially during sports.
• Do not touch your eyes, nose and mouth with your hands.
• Clean surfaces with chlorine or alcohol based disinfectants.
• Stay home as much as possible to help contain the spread of the virus.

Swiss Health Department (FOPH)

Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA)

Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC)

World Health Organization (WHO)

Center for Disease Control (CDC)