• University operations are conducted as usual. However, there may be a need in some parts of the university to maintain certain limited measures and adjustments during a transitional period. We take with us the positive experiences and knowledge we have gained about flexible working methods and learning in the continued development of the university.
• All university operations must continue to be carried out in accordance with preventive measures, advice, and recommendations from the Public Health Agency of Sweden, regional and local infection control, and the university's own measures. Great emphasis is placed on employees' and students' own responsibility.
• The pandemic is still ongoing in society and the university must therefore be prepared to return to level lime or level yellow if the situation requires it. Be aware that changes may occur at short notice.

Read the decision in its entirety under Reg. 258-20 (Swedish only).

Take responsibility to prevent the spread of COVID-19

The university follows the recommendations from the Public Health Agency:

• Practice social distancing
• Stay home if you're sick
• Get the vaccine

Specific for persons in risk groups:

You are advised, following the advice of the Public Health Agency of Sweden, to consult with a doctor about what you can do to reduce the risk of becoming ill.

Filming and GDPR

Information regarding what applies when it comes to GDPR in connection with filmed lectures, etc. is available in Swedish (see the Swedish webpage).

We have developed a website that provides inspiration for alternative forms of examination. Here you can take part of the information.

Here you can find an overview of exam periods etc.

Your closest manager can give you information about the order of priority for Zoom-supervised exam.

The university's employees are advised to follow the information available from the Public Health Agency of Sweden and the government. Your manager will provide you with information specific for your department. 

The following measures apply from 12 January up to and including study period 3

• Based on the needs of and conditions at the university, as well as FHM's recommendations for our sector, employees should be offered the possibility of remote work.
• When it comes to staff meetings and activities related to research and collaboration, a risk assessment is to be carried out in each individual case.
• Avoid larger meetings on campus. Always consider the possibilities for participants to practice social distancing. 
• When it comes to work travel or receiving visitors at the university, always look closely at the rules that apply to travel into and out of Sweden at the relevant time. 
• FHM's general advice is to be communicated in information to students, staff, and invited guests in an appropriate manner. You can find these here. (Only in Swedish)

Vaccination during working hours

In order to enable and facilitate vaccination against COVID-19, the University of Borås has decided that vaccination appointments that are booked during regular working hours may take place without any salary deduction. Before taking this time off, let your manager know.

Deducation from sick pay

Compensation for the deducation from sick pay is regulated directly with the Social Insurance Office. This application ends 1 October 2021. 

Insurance when working from home

In the case of working from home, occupational injury insurance (TFA and PSA) applies. Unlike work at work, the accident is required to be directly related to the work you do, i.e. the injury occurs while performing your duties. For example, if you injure yourself when you are making coffee in the kitchen, this does not count as an accident at work, even if it occurs during fixed working hours.

Receiving visitors from another country

The Dean of Faculty/Head of Professional Services makes decisions on a case-by-case basis. When the University of Borås receives visitors who have travelled here from another country (e.g. guest lecturers, visiting researchers, partners), the recommendations of the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs apply. The department receiving the guest(s) plans for the stay taking into account the pandemic and health and safety at work concerns. Workplace introductions and meeting colleagues are to be planned to take into account the current recommendations and precautions, and the responsible manager is to ensure that the relevant staff are informed of the visit in good time.

According to the university's meeting and travel policy, the following general guidelines apply:

• The possibility of replacing work travel with video, telephone, and web conferences should always be considered before deciding to travel for work. Work hours, cost, and the environment must be taken into account.
• Travel should be planned as well in advance as possible.
• Employees' travel must be approved in advance by the immediate manager.
• Bookings of work travel must follow established guidelines.

Information about the university's meeting and travel policy can be found here

To consider in relation to the risk of infection spreading when traveling:

Within Sweden: When considering the possibilities in point one of the policy, take into account the pandemic situation, as well. If the work travel is deemed necessary after such considerations have been made, ensure that all relevant recommendations and restrictions are followed. Review the information from the Public Health Agency of Sweden (Only in Swedish)

Abroad: When assessing the need for the work travel, take into account the pandemic situation, as well. If the work travel is deemed necessary after such considerations have been made, the recommendations of the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs must be followed, as well as the guidelines that apply locally/regionally to the destination.

Travel information from the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Only in Swedish)

The Public Health Agency of Sweden's information about travel

On the employee website, you can find information about cancelling booked work travel. Read more about this 

The University of Borås (together with SU and KI) makes the interpretation that a dissertation is not to be regarded as a public event and is thus not covered by the new requirements for presenting a vaccination certificate. However, it is of the utmost importance that current recommendations, national regulations and general advice from the Swedish Public Health Agency and other authorities as well as the university's local rules are followed to prevent the spread of infection. If the number of planned guests is over 100, we follow the new guidelines for public events also for dissertations, but not the use of vaccination certificates. Instead the alternative measures that are recommended should be used. The choice of premises must be adapted to avoid the spread of infection, ie the premises must ensure that distances can be maintained (at least 1 meter). So far, the university does not set any requirements for the maximum number who can physically attend a dissertation, provided that the room from an spread of infection security point of view allows you to keep your distance. The public should preferably be referred to follow the dissertation via their own computer from home / workplace. Due to this request the public must be able to ask questions via the webinar.

Opponents and grading members can already participate today via a link, but as the situation is now, the doctoral student and the chairman of the defence are expected to be physically present at HB (so far no recommendations on homework have been received).

Concerning privately arranged parties by the doctoral student, the recommendation during the prevailing circumstances is that one should carefully consider the appropriateness of having a party on the university's premises. The Corona group plans to review the implementation of all planned social activities organized and carried out by the university, whereby if all these event activities are to be canceled, it is also not appropriate if a private person use the university's premises for similar activities.

The situation can change quickly, which is why the department and those responsible for conducting dissertations are kindly asked to keep up to date with current guidelines and recommendations.

• Hand sanitiser has been placed on certain premises on campus.
• Service desks in public areas have been equipped with an acrylic glass.

Information regarding how many people can be present in different rooms, which technical capabilities are present in each room, etc. is found in KronoX.

In KronoX, you can also see information about the rooms that have been renovated. For example, if you want a room for streaming or recording a lecture, you can use the search bar in the upper right corner of KronoX and type "E-meeting". Then you will find the appropriate spaces. Just keep in mind that this information is not complete yet, but more information is in the works! You can find a manual about this on the KronoX webpage.

There are different images that you can use in Zoom. Just remember that you have to sit against a single-colored wall for it to work well with the background image. 

For backgrounds with Swedish logotype, please see the Swedish version of this webpage. 

Upload the image

Use the Zoom client at your computer. Click at your name/initals at the upper right corner. Choose "Settings". Choose "Virtual Background". Click on the plus sign, choose "Add image". Upload the image. 

When you've uploaded the image in Zoom, make sure that the box "Mirror my video" is not ticked since the image then gets reversed. If you don't have a green screen behind you, make sure the box "”Green screen” is not ticked. 

Download a background with an image of the view of campus (when the image opens in a new window, right-click and choose "Save as image")

Download a background with an image of the campus, the Balder building (when the image opens in a new window, right-click and choose "Save as image")

Download a background with an image of the campus, Sandgärdet (when the image opens in a new window, right-click and choose "Save as image")

Download a background with an image of the campus, Textile Fashion Center (when the image opens in a new window, right-click and choose "Save as image")

Download a background with an image from inside the Library (when the image opens in a new window, right-click and choose "Save as image")

How should I act if I find out that one or more of my students has COVID-19?

If a student is diagnosed with COVID-19, they receive special instructions from their physician. This information lets them know what applies when it comes to sick leave, possible quarantine, contact tracing, and information for others. It is these individuals themselves who are responsible for providing any necessary information to others.

The student provides this information to the programme or course coordinator. The programme or course coordinator is to then notify the Head of Department directly, who in turn informs the Dean of Faculty and Head of Professional Services in order for the university to maintain an overall view of the spread of infection.

If several students in the same group/programme have reported a COVID-19 infection, the university's Head of Professional Services contacts, if necessary, the infectious disease control physician for an assessment when it comes to measures to be taken.

The Head of Professional Services convenes, if necessary, a meeting of staff who work with crises for further management of the situation.

Comprehensive information should always be provided to the Head of Department, Dean of Faculty, chief safety representative, HR manager, and student representative.

How should I act if I suspect I've contracted COVID-19?

According to the infectious disease control physician, you are legally required to test yourself if you suspect you have COVID-19. Therefore, if you have symptoms which you suspect may be due to COVID-19, contact your healthcare provider for testing immediately. The testing is free of charge and you should stay at home until you have received the test results. Read more at Vårdguiden (Vårdguiden 1177 is a Swedish service providing healthcare by telephone and the central national infrastructure for Swedish healthcare online.)

Am I obliged to inform my manager if I am found to have COVID-19?

Physicians and the healthcare system determine whom an infected person must inform. However, if an employee, voluntarily or as instructed by the healthcare system, provides this information to a manager, it is important that the manager makes an assessment regarding infection and informs the Dean of Faculty (in cases of infection within the Faculty) and Head of Professional Services (in all cases of infection) to make an assessment when it comes to measures to be taken. If necessary, the infectious disease control doctor is contacted. In this way, the university will have an overall view of the spread of infection and have the opportunity to take action based on it.

How should I act as a manager if I find out that an employee has COVID-19?

If an employee is diagnosed with COVID-19, they receive special instructions from their physician. This information lets them know what applies when it comes to sick leave, possible quarantine, contact tracing, and information for others. It is these individuals themselves who are responsible for providing any necessary information to others.

The relevant manager makes an assessment regarding infection and takes those measures deemed relevant based on the situation and its circumstances. The relevant manager directly informs the (in case of infection within the academy) and head of administration (in case of all infection). In this way, the university will have an overall view of the spread of infection and have the opportunity to take action based on it.

The Head of Professional Services convenes, if necessary, a meeting of staff who work with crises for further management of the situation.

Comprehensive information should always be provided to the Head of Department, Dean of Faculty, chief safety representative, HR manager, and student representative.

What happens if many employees in a group/area have found COVID-19?

If several employees in the same group are ill in COVID-19, the responsible manager should contact the relevant Dean of Faculty (in cases of infection within the Faculty) and Head of Professional Services (in all cases of infection).

If several employees in a group/work area have reported COVID-19 infection, if necessary, the infectious disease control physician will be contacted for an assessment when it comes to measures to be taken.

The Head of Professional Services convenes, if necessary, a meeting of staff who work with crises for further management of the situation.

Comprehensive information should always be provided to the Head of Department, Dean of Faculty, chief safety representative, HR manager, and student representative.

Do you want to stay up to date with what information the students get? Take a look at the student website. 

If you have questions about the university's actions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, contact your immediate manager.

In case of flu-like symptoms and respiratory problems, contact healthcare services through the medical information telephone number 1177 and follow their instructions.

Public Health Agency of Sweden  

Travel information from the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Only in Swedish)

Krisinformation.se – emergency information from Swedish authorities 

Information to students from CSN, The Swedish Board of Student Finance (in Swedish only

Information from The Swedish Agency for Government Employers (in Swedish only)