Coronavirus Information and Updates

Courses and Academic Activities

Beginning March 23, classes resumed 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.

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

Campus Offices and Services

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. Staff has been 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 are in contact with staff in their areas to organize remote and flexible work whenever possible.

Campus sports and fitness facilities are closed, and all indoor group activities are canceled until further notice. Individual open-air activities that follow the prevention protocols and do not exceed the number of participants can be held.

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 maintain the appropriate tools for working remotely. Anyone requiring assistance should contact:

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+41 91 986 3668

Public Restrictions

The Swiss Federal Council has announced a three-step plan, which further eases the COVID-19 restrictions currently in place.

Easing measures remain cautious but optimistic. Some businesses and institutions will be allowed to open under specific guidelines. They must take suitable precautionary measures, and rules of hygiene and social distancing will still apply. Establishments affected by these new steps will be: primary and lower secondary schools, retail shops, markets, museums, libraries, certain sports facilities, and restaurants. For more information, see the full list of easements.

Travel Information

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

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.

Current regulations are in place that prevent individuals in tourist status from entering Switzerland. Swiss citizens and individuals holding a valid Swiss permit can be fined at the border upon returning to Switzerland from tourism or shopping related travel. Students are encouraged to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if they have questions about their immigration situation.

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.

Housing

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..

Developing Symptoms

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

Contact and Self-Quarantine

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.

At-Risk Individuals

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

Protect Yourself and Others

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.

Media Resources for Additional Information

Swiss Health Department (FOPH)

Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA)

Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC)

World Health Organization (WHO)

Center for Disease Control (CDC)