COVID-19 pandemic
Here you will find information that is important for you as a student.
The following applies at the University of Borås:
- Level lime continues to apply until the end of study period 1 (no later than 14 November). This means that everyone must continue to follow the main rule "Distance when it works, campus when it’s needed.” The planning and scheduling for teaching during study period 1 will largely remain in place. If you have any questions about what applies to your educational programme, please contact your course or programme coordinator.
- From study period 2 (no later than 15 November), the university will move to level green. This means that the university operations are to be 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. Your course or programme coordinator will inform you about what this means for your course/programme.
- The pandemic is still ongoing 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.
The advice to work from home, which the government has decided to discontinue from 29 September, of course, also affects university operations. But as we have decided to continue in level lime throughout study period 1, this means no direct changes for you as a student. However, the university has begun a gradual return to the workplace for employees and students.
Everyone must continue to take responsibility for reducing the risk of the spread of infection in society.
More information
Specific information regarding your education is provided directly from your teachers.
The university's students are advised to follow the information available from the Public Health Agency of Sweden and the Swedish government. Be aware that the government can provide new information at short notice. Read the Public Health Agency of Sweden’s information regarding higher education institutions (in Swedish only).
Decision by the Vice-Chancellor (20 September)
- Level lime continues to apply until the end of study period 1 (no later than 14 November). This means that everyone must continue to follow the main rule "Distance when it works, campus when it’s needed" during this period. Planning and scheduling already in place will remain as is to a large extent so that students and staff know what to expect.
- From 29 September, a gradual return to the workplace will begin. Deans of Faculty, the Head of Professional Services, the Director of Executive Office, and the Director of Research and Innovation are responsible for facilitating this in their respective areas and carrying out planning and risk assessment for the gradual return. You will receive information from your immediate manager about what applies to your department.
- From study period 2 (no later than 15 November), the university will move to level green. This means that university operations are to be 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); below is a summary.
Summary of the decision that applies until the end of the first study period in the autumn term of 2021; however, no later than 14 November:
- University operations will continue to be carried out with precautionary measures and in accordance with the preventive measures and recommendations specified by the Public Health Agency of Sweden, regional and local infection control, and the university's own guidelines. Great emphasis is placed on employees’ and students' personal responsibility.
- Priorities are made on an ongoing basis to limit the number of people present on campus at the same time. The Workgroup for Pandemic Issues is responsible for developing ranked priorities in consultation with the university as a whole.
- Deans of Faculty, the Head of Professional Services, the Director of Executive Office, and the Director of Research and Innovation are responsible for creating the necessary conditions and coordinating assessments of activities that require physical presence on campus within their respective areas.
- The following are prioritised: students in nursing and police programmes; students in English-language courses and programmes with international students which under normal circumstances are conducted on campus; and newly admitted students to campus programmes in the autumn term 2021 and students admitted to campus programmes in the spring term 2021.
- Priority educational activities: components that take place within the Clinical Training Centre and VFU/student placements/internships within programmes at the Department of Caring Science; teaching components within the Police Education Programme that are not possible to complete at a distance; and VFU/student placements/internships within teacher training.
- Examinations on campus can be carried out to a limited extent.
- Adjustments on campus must be made regarding physical distances on our premises, protective equipment in certain spaces where social distancing cannot always be maintained, access to hand disinfectant, extra cleaning, and more.
General information
During level lime
To enable a responsible return to more campus-based activities, the following applies:
- University operations will continue to be carried out with precautionary measures and in accordance with the preventive measures and recommendations specified by the Public Health Agency of Sweden, regional and local infection control, and the university's own guidelines. Great emphasis is placed on employees’ and students' personal responsibility.
- Priorities are made on an ongoing basis to limit the number of people present on campus at the same time.
- The following are prioritised: students in nursing and police programmes; students in English-language courses and programmes with international students which under normal circumstances are conducted on campus; and newly admitted students to campus programmes in the autumn term 2021 and students admitted to campus programmes in the spring term 2021.
- Priority educational activities: components that take place within the Clinical Training Centre and VFU/student placements/internships within programmes at the Department of Caring Science; teaching components within the Police Education Programme that are not possible to complete at a distance; and VFU/student placements/internships within teacher training.
- Examinations on campus can be carried out to a limited extent.
- Adjustments on campus must be made regarding physical distances on our premises, protective equipment in certain spaces where social distancing cannot always be maintained, access to hand disinfectant, extra cleaning, and more.
Take responsibility to prevent the spread of COVID-19
The university follows the recommendations from the Public Health Agency:
- Stay home if you're sick
- Get the vaccine
Hand sanitiser have been placed on certain premises such as student pantries, computer halls etc.
If you are not vaccinated
If you are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19, special attention should be paid to people in a risk group and those aged 70 and over. You should take precautions to avoid infection yourself and to avoid spreading COVID-19. When possible, you should:
- keep a distance from other people
- avoid close contact with people in a risk group, and people who are aged 70 and over.
These guidelines do not apply to people under the age of 18 years, or to people who have been recommended not to get vaccinated against COVID-19 for medical reasons.
Get vaccinated as soon as possible
Vaccination is voluntary, but the Public Health Agency of Sweden recommends all who can to get vaccinated. The university hopes that you take the opportunity to contribute to reducing the spread of infection. Information about vaccination can be found on the website of the Public Health Agency of Sweden.
Premises and entrances
The entrances to Balder, as well as some other spaces, will be open when the restaurant in Balder (the Red Dining Hall) is open. The entrance to the university premises in Textile Fashion Center, is closed until further notice. The entrance to Sandgärdet will be open when the Library is open.
You also need an access card for all doors leading to corridors with study rooms, offices, and open spaces for staff and students.
Adjustments in the campus environment
Hand sanitiser has been placed on certain premises on campus.
Service desks in public areas will be equipped with an acrylic glass.
A comprehensive signage has been carried out on campus with distance markings, information regarding the university's recommendations, requests to leave the halls immediately after examination or teaching, etc.
Specific for students in risk groups
- Students are advised, following the advice of the Public Health Agency of Sweden, to consult with their doctors about what they can do to reduce the risk of becoming ill.
- The university makes general adjustments in the campus environment to minimise the spread of infection.
- Students who do not consider that the adjustments are sufficient can apply to defer the start of studies or for temporary interruption of studies.
Spread of infection and contact tracing
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.)
If you don't have a Swedish social sequrity number, you can book an appointment for testing by calling 0730-42 09 47 or visit the test centre at Herrljungagatan 5, close to shopping centre Knalleland.
Am I obliged to inform the university if I am found to have COVID-19?
Physicians and the healthcare system determine whom an infected person must inform. However, if you, voluntarily or as instructed by the healthcare system, provide this information to the university (more appropriately a programme or course coordinator), the information is passed on to the relevant managers.
What does the university do if a student is diagnosed with 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.
If the university receives such information from a student, the information is passed along according to a routine to ensure that we have an overall picture of the state of infection on campus.
What if many students in a group have been found to have COVID-19?
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.
In addition, the Head of Professional Services convenes, if necessary, a meeting of staff who work with crises for further management of the situation.
Education and examinations
Priorities are made on an ongoing basis to limit the number of people present on campus at the same time.
- The following are prioritised: students in nursing and police programmes; students in English-language courses and programmes with international students which under normal circumstances are conducted on campus; and newly admitted students to campus programmes in the autumn term 2021 and students admitted to campus programmes in the spring term 2021.
- Priority educational activities: components that take place within the Clinical Training Centre and VFU/student placements/internships within programmes at the Department of Caring Science; teaching components within the Police Education Programme that are not possible to complete at a distance; and VFU/student placements/internships within teacher training.
- Examinations on campus can be carried out to a limited extent.
Written examinations on campus
The university has taken measures to reduce the spread of the infection both before, during and after the examination for example:
- To avoid gatherings there will be a limited numbers of students per hall and students will sit with distance to eachother.
- There will be handsanitisers in the examination hall.
- One student at a time will be allowed to turn in their examination.
Remember to keep your distance when arriving to and leaving the examination hall.
Stay home if you're sick
Zoom-supervised distance examinations
Read everything you need to know about Zoom-supervised distance examinations.
Tuition fees
Regarding tuition fees for students who are required to pay, the university is currently reviewing the possibility of helping our existing students with their fees. At present, no decision has been made, but a dialogue is being conducted with other higher education institutions to find common solutions.
Information
- Mutual information for all students is published on the learning platform.
- Specific information regarding your education is provided directly from your teachers.
- If you have questions about how the university is handling matters during the pandemic, you can email corona@hb.se.
University premises
The university entrances are closed to the public. If you need special equipment or the network in the university's group rooms and computer rooms, the premises are accessible with access cards.
Do not forget to have your access card with you when you are on university premises. It is needed in order to pass through doors and use the lifts.
The entrances to Balder, as well as some other spaces, will be open when the restaurant in Balder (the Red Dining Hall) is open. The entrance to the university premises in Textile Fashion Center, is closed until further notice. The entrance to Sandgärdet will be open when the Library is open. The entrance to Sandgärdet are open when the Library is open. You will find the Library opening hours here.
Choose the entrance closest to where you are going and, as far as possible, plan an outdoors route when navigating around campus. Take a look at the map and find the entrance closest to your destination
Tools and tips for distance learning
Zoom––our software for e-meetings
Zoom is the system we use for dsitans learning and video conference. Read more about Zoom and how to use it.
Here you can find information about Zoom etiquette.
General tools and tips
Insurance
As a student at the university, you are automatically insured for accidents in direct connection with your studies through the Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency (Kammarkollegiet in Swedish). Read more about this on the website of the Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency
Due to new conditions, the insurance from Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency (Kammarkollegiet) does not apply to students studying abroad if the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs advises against travel to a region/country. The new terms will take effect on 1 July 2021. The Vice-Chancellor has, in relation to this, made a decision about studies abroad at the university. The decision has the registration number of Reg. 882-20.
Take responsibility
Take responsibility to prevent the spread of COVID-19
The university follows the recommendations from the Public Health Agency:
- Stay home if you're sick
- Get the vaccine
Hand sanitiser have been placed on certain premises such as student pantries, computer halls etc.
If you are not vaccinated
If you are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19, special attention should be paid to people in a risk group and those aged 70 and over. You should take precautions to avoid infection yourself and to avoid spreading COVID-19. When possible, you should:
- keep a distance from other people
- avoid close contact with people in a risk group, and people who are aged 70 and over.
These guidelines do not apply to people under the age of 18 years, or to people who have been recommended not to get vaccinated against COVID-19 for medical reasons.
Get vaccinated as soon as possible
Vaccination is voluntary, but the Public Health Agency of Sweden recommends all who can to get vaccinated. The university hopes that you take the opportunity to contribute to reducing the spread of infection. Information about vaccination can be found on the website of the Public Health Agency of Sweden.
If you become ill
If you become ill or need to care for an ill child, you should report it to the Swedish Social Insurance Agency and CSN. More information from CSN (external link, in Swedish only).
In case of flu-like symptoms and respiratory problems, contact healthcare services through the medical information telephone number 1177 and follow their instructions.
If you have any questions
In case of flu-like symptoms and respiratory problems, contact healthcare services through the medical information telephone number 1177 and follow their instructions.
You can also contact the Student Health Office if you have any questions.
For education-specific information, contact your programme/course coordinator.
If you have more general questions, please contact corona@hb.se