As of Monday 30 August 2021, Leiden University is easing the restrictions, as announced by the government on 13 August 2021. We are pleased to be gradually returning to normal, but want our research and work to be carried out in a safe and responsible way. We have therefore incorporated the eased restrictions in our new Campus Protocol. Read the protocol before coming to the campus.

The key points from the new protocol are:

• As of 30 August 2021, you must once again wear a face mask if you are moving around the University buildings. You may remove the face mask once you are sitting at your work or study space. 
• As a preventive measure, we are asking our students and staff to take a self-test twice a week or at least on the days when you come to the University. Students and staff at our university can order free self-tests from Zelftestonderwijs.nl.
• Do the Corona Check before you come to the University. If you have cold symptoms, stay at home and get tested.
• If you test positive for coronavirus, please notify us. Students should inform their study adviser and staff members their manager. 
• One-and-a-half-metre distancing is no longer compulsory in our buildings, in neither our offices nor our teaching rooms. However, it is advisable to keep some distance from others wherever possible.
• It is important to make sure there is plenty of fresh air in our buildings. All teaching rooms at the University can be ventilated according to the requirements of the RIVM and the Buildings Decree. This is nearly always centrally regulated via mechanical ventilation systems that are switched on in the morning. Some workspaces and meeting rooms, in older buildings in particular, do not have mechanical ventilation systems. This makes it important to open the windows.
• Leave the building as soon as your lecture, tutorial or practical has ended, in order to make room for other students.
• If you have been to the University and test positive for Covid shortly afterwards, please inform the people you were in contact with as soon as possible (including fellow students and colleagues), so they can take the necessary measures.

Test in the weekend
Alongside self-tests, we advise our students and staff to also get a PCR test with the Municipal Health Service (GGD) in the weekend. You can do so even if you do not have any symptoms. PCR tests are more reliable than self-tests. To make an appointment, go to www.coronatest.nl.

Returning from abroad
The University follows the government’s quarantine rules; you must quarantine if you have returned from a high-risk area. See www.rijksoverheid.nl.

Vaccinations
We encourage everyone to get the Covid vaccine. The GGD is also offering a walk-in vaccination service for your first vaccination. Students and staff in Leiden can do so via GGD Hollands-Midden and students and staff in The Hague via GGD Haaglanden.

The 1.5-metre distancing rule at the University is to be lifted. The government announced this at a press conference on the current coronavirus measures on 13 August. From 30 August, the distancing rule will no longer apply in MBO (intermediate vocational education), HBO (higher vocational education) and universities.   

We are pleased that the situation is beginning to return to normal, but do want this return to be safe and gradual. How exactly to implement the latest measures is something we are now discussing with the faculties and the Association of Universities in the Netherlands (VSNU). At present, we are assuming the following: 

• The 1.5-metre distancing measure will be lifted within the University from 30 August.
• The campus will fully re-open for teaching from that date.
• However, a maximum of 75 students per lecture hall will apply. Our degree programmes are currently working out how to give shape to this. For further details please see the information provided by your degree programme.
• This maximum number also applies to exams, degree ceremonies and all other activities in our buildings.
• From 30 August, you will need to wear a face mask when moving around our buildings. You can remove this once you are at your desk or study space.
• With the exception of staff in teaching or teaching support roles, all staff are still expected to work from home. If you have a good reason to come to the office, discuss this first with your manager. 
• You will still need to use the booking system for the University Libraries. Check the the library website before your visit for the latest news.

Please note: we will be working out the details over the next week or so. Watch this page and those of your faculty and degree programme for further information. In principle, these measures will remain in force for the first teaching block of the new academic year.

Safe reopening

The University will only be safe if everyone behaves responsibly. We urge our students and staff to follow the guidelines and precautionary measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus. This means, for example: 

• We encourage everyone to get vaccinated. The Municipal Public Health Service (GGD) is offering a walk-in vaccination service for your first vaccination. Students and staff in Leiden can go to GGD Hollands-Midden, students and staff in The Hague can go to GGD Haaglanden.
• Stay at home and get tested if you have cold symptoms. 
• Always do the Corona Check before you come to the University
• Get tested if you have been in contact with someone with Covid. 
• As a preventive measure, take a self-test twice a week. Students and staff at our university can order self-tests free of charge via Zelftestonderwijs.nl.

What to do if you test positive for Covid:

• If you test positive for coronavirus, we would like you to report this to us. If you are a student, please inform your study adviser; if you are a member of staff, please inform your manager. Read more
• If you have been to the University and you test positive for Covid shortly afterwards, please inform the people you were in contact with as soon as possible (including fellow students or colleagues), so they can quickly take the necessary measures. 

On Friday evening 13 August there will be another press conference by the demissionary Cabinet on the current corona situation and possible changes to the corona measures. We expect that a decision will be taken regarding working from home and about the 1 .5-metre distancing measure in education. We hope that from the new academic year there will be more opportunities for us to offer on-campus education and to work more in university premises - while still observing the need for safety. We are already preparing for this. In the week of 16 August we will be discussing what the consequences are for our students and staff of the decisions and advice that the Cabinet may announce. 

We will inform everyone about any new situation as quickly as possible.