As announced in our update from 20 September, the restrictions in higher education have now been eased. In short, this means a maximum group size no longer applies in our teaching rooms, face masks are no longer compulsory and 1.5m distancing is no longer necessary in our buildings.

The remaining rules for working and studying at the University can be found in a new version of the Campus Protocol. Read this thoroughly and make sure your colleagues, fellow students and guests are familiar with it. The University is only a safe place if everyone takes responsibility for their actions and thinks of others. For your own safety and that of others, stick to the rules, give other people space and respect one another’s boundaries.
 

At the press conference on Tuesday 14 September 2021, the government announced it would be easing various measures. This will make it possible to teach large groups on campus once again, something we are really pleased with. The measures will be eased on 25 September 2021. New rules on exams and quarantining will apply sooner. We will publish a new version of the Campus Protocol on 25 September, which includes all of the new measures.

The main changes as of 25 September are:

• The maximum group size of 75 people will no longer apply in higher education. This means it will once again be possible to teach large groups. More of our teaching will gradually move on campus, in a good mixture of online, blended and hybrid forms. Each degree programme will make its own choices here. The degree programmes will inform their students if and when any changes will be made to their timetable.
• Face masks will no longer be compulsory inside University buildings. Anyone who wishes to may, of course, still wear one. Lecturers may also ask their students to wear a face mask during a lecture or tutorial.
• The advice on working from home will change: we should work from home if we can and at the office if we need to. Staff should discuss with their managers how to give shape to this.
• Events will no longer have a maximum capacity, except for those events that do not have allocated seats. Then a maximum of 75% of the regular number of guests will be allowed.
• Catering services in the buildings of educational institutions whose target group is students and staff (canteens, for instance) will not need to check whether people have a covid certificate, so they will be open to all.

Please note: other rules may apply in the LUMC buildings. The LUMC will let you know as soon as possible which measures will apply to its teaching and from when.

Maximum group size at exams 
As of 20 September, the limits to group sizes at exams will no longer apply. Neither will the 1.5m distancing rule. This means that from 20 September all exams can proceed as normal. Students will hear from their degree programme if this means a change to their exams.

Quarantine rules for travel
As of 22 September 2021, the quarantine rules for travel to the Netherlands will change. Read more about this on the Government website. If you are arriving from abroad, do the Quarantine Travel Check to see which rules apply to you. If this check tells you to quarantine at home, you may not come into the University during your quarantine.

Safety and responsibility
We are pleased that large lectures can go ahead once again and ask everyone to keep these as safe as possible for all. Give people space, take care and respect others if they are wearing a face mask or ask you to keep your distance.

In addition, always do the Corona Check before coming to the University and take a free self-test (rapid antigen test) twice a week. Read here what to do if your self-test is positive. We also advise you to get the vaccination. To make an appointment in Leiden contact GGD Hollands-Midden and in The Hague GGD Haaglanden.

If you test positive for coronavirus, we could like you to report this to us. Students can inform their study adviser and staff can inform their manager. To find out why we ask this and what we do with the information, read here.

New version of the Campus Protocol 
In the Campus Protocol you will find all the measures that apply in our buildings and to our students and staff. We have just released a new version of the Protocol, which includes all the measures that have been removed or changed since 30 August. Read the Protocol carefully and make sure any guests or new colleagues are aware of it. To the Campus Protocol  

Also follow this updates page: this is the first place to find information when the government measures change. 

Information on ventilation 
It is well known that ventilation is very important in combatting the virus, particularly in closed areas where a lot of people come together. Ensuring that our buildings are well ventilated is one of our continuing priorities. All teaching areas within the University are ventilated in line with RIVM requirements. It is important to open windows in work areas and meeting rooms. You can find a detailed explanation of the ventilation systems in the Campus Protocol or here

Press conference on 14 September
A press conference will be held on 14 September, and the outgoing government may announce that it is removing or changing its Covid measures. We will spend the days that follow this press conference looking into how any changes will affect our students and staff. Watch this page for the latest updates. 

New version of the Corona Check
The government’s rules on when to quarantine have changed. They now take into consideration whether you have already been vaccinated (once or twice) and/or have recently been infected with coronavirus. For more information see the government’s Quarantine Check. 

The Leiden University Corona Check has been updated to reflect thi. Do the Corona Check every time you want to come to the University, and stay at home if the check tells you to.

What to do if your self-test is positive
As a preventive measure we are asking our students and staff to do a self-test (rapid antigen test) twice per week. If the result is positive, you should do two things:

• Get tested by the Municipal Public Health Service (GGD) to confirm the result: make an appointment at coronatest.nl or call 0800-1202. Stay at home until you have the result of the GGD test.
• Inform the GGD Schools Team of your positive self-test result by calling 085-0782876 (open daily 9:00-17:00). The GGD will advise you what to do, and a separate GGD team will monitor the infection rate at educational institutions and take any necessary steps.