You will find below frequently asked questions about the coronavirus. We regularly update these questions:
BUILDINGS & ACCESSIBILITY
1. What coronavirus measures apply in Avans buildings?
2. Do I have to wear a facemask in Avans buildings?
3. Can I come to Avans if I have flu-like symptoms?
4. Are the ventilation systems in the buildings compliant with the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) guidelines?
5. At Avans, do we still have to maintain a distance of 1.5 metres?
SELF-TESTING
6. Do I have to take a self-test before coming to Avans?
7. Where can I order self-test kits?
EXAMINATIONS AND LESSONS
8. I can’t take my exam because of coronavirus. What do I do now?
TRAVEL
9. I would like to go to abroad to complete a minor, a work placement or my graduation project. Is that allowed?
WORKING AND STUDYING, ON CAMPUS / AT HOME
10. As an Avans staff member, can I work or hold meetings at an Avans location?
COVID INFECTION
11. I have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid. Can i still come to Avans?
12. Does the whole class have to self-isolate if a student or lecturer is infected?
13. What is the difference between ‘close contact’ and ‘other contact’ with an infected person?
BUILDINGS & ACCESSIBILITY
1. What coronavirus measures apply in Avans buildings
Take a self-test regularly before you come to class. When you are at an Avans location, you must observe the following guidelines:
- Regularly wash your hands
- Don’t shake hands
- Sneeze and cough into your elbow.
2. Do I have to wear a facemask in Avans buildings?
No, as of 25 February it is no longer necessary to wear a mouth mask in the Avans buildings and the 1.5 metre measure has been dropped.
3. Can I come to Avans if I have flu-like symptoms?
Get tested or do a self-test if you have a a runny nose, cough, sore throat or fever. If your self-test is positive, stay at home. More information about self-testing can be found here.
Check the Central Government website for the latest complete information on the quarantine regulations.
If your symptoms are clearly due to hay fever, then you are permitted to come to Avans. This is in line with the guidelines issued by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). If you suffer from hay fever, you display the same symptoms around the same time each year. You will probably have a good sense of whether your symptoms are due to hay fever. Stay at home if you are in doubt or if your current symptoms feel different to those caused by hay fever. Remember to contact your study development counsellor if this is the case.
4. Are the ventilation systems in the buildings compliant with the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) guidelines?
Yes, all the ventilation systems in our buildings use fresh air from outside. The amount of clean air being pumped into our buildings exceeds the requirements laid down in the 2012 Buildings Decree. The RIVM advises against recirculating air. This means some of our cooling and ventilation systems have been switched off. People can still work or study safely in these areas, provided they follow the RIVM’s guidelines.
At Avans, the safety of students and staff is our top priority. To ensure their safety, we follow the guidelines issued by the RIVM.
5. At Avans, do we still have to maintain a distance of 1.5 metres?
No, as of 25 February, it is no longer necessary to keep a distance of 1.5 metres. Not even in the Avans buildings.
SELF-TESTING
6. Do I have to take a self-test before coming to Avans?
No, the advice for students and staff to do a self-test twice a week no longer applies.
7. Where can I order self-test kits?
As a student or staff member at Avans, you can no longer order free self-test kits on the website zelftestonderwijs.nl. Please go to the reception desk if you need a self-test.
EXAMINATIONS
8. I can't take my exam because of coronavirus. What do I do now?
We understand that you really want to take your exams, particularly if you have studied hard for them. Nevertheless, we repeat in the strongest terms: please stay at home if you have tested positive for COVID-19. In this news item you can read about opportunities for retaking an exam, and other relevant info.
TRAVEL
9. I would like to go to abroad to complete a minor, a work placement or my graduation project. Is that possible?
The coronavirus situation in a country is no longer the sole basis for the travel advisory colour code issued by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The government is now taking the full range of health and security risks into consideration when reaching an assessment. In practical terms, this means that travelling to countries outside Europe will soon be possible again.
Read more: Travel advisories for many countries to change colour | News item | government.nl. This is good news for students who want to go abroad for their work placement or graduate project.
If you are planning to go abroad for your minor, work placement or graduation project, here are some points to consider:
- Check the travel advisory
Check the latest travel advisory for your destination on the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. This advice is leading and is a key element in policy on international travel at Avans. Travel is permitted to countries or areas that are classified as low risk (i.e. yellow or green). When planning your trip, keep in mind that an entry ban for foreign travellers may still be in place in some countries. Travel to countries or areas with an orange or red travel advisory (i.e. high risk) is not permitted.
- Travel to high-risk countries
Avans will not provide support to students who decide to travel to countries with an orange or red travel advisory. This means that students will not be nominated to go on an exchange at partner institutions in these countries. Work placement and graduation requests in Osiris will not be approved, and your school or Student Information Desk will not sign any forms granting permission for stays in countries outside Europe with a red or orange travel advisory. If you do decide to make arrangements to travel to a ‘code orange’ or ‘code red’ country, this will be entirely at your own risk. To find out more, please visit goingabroad.avans.nl.
WORKING AND STUDYING, ON CAMPUS / AT HOME
10. As an Avans staff member, can I work or hold meetings at an Avans location?
Yes. As of 1 June 2022, Avans has had a working from home policy in place that supports hybrid working: a combination of working at Avans and working from home.
The guideline is that everyone works on location at least 50% of their working hours. You can find our policy on working from home here.
COVID INFECTION
11. I have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19. Can I still come to Avans?
Read on the website of the central government (in Dutch) what you have to do.
12. Does the whole class have to self-isolate if a student or lecturer is infected?
No. Read on the website of the central government (in Dutch) what you have to do.
13. What is the difference between ‘close contact’ and ‘other contact’ with an infected person?
Go to the RIVM website or the government website for more information.
