COVID-19: How we are keeping you safe

• The Swiss Federal authorities announced on April 1 that all restrictions had been lifted.
• We will remain in regular contact with the Swiss health authorities to ensure we are continuously implementing the latest health and safety initiatives. 
• We have communicated the latest measures to our students and staff across all campuses, advising on best practice protocols and should there be any change we will inform the students and staff accordingly on the most up-to-date information.

Help us help you - with the two W's - Wash your hands, Watch your distance.

• Avoid close contact by staying at least 1.5 meters from anyone who is not from your household.
• Wash your hands often and use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).
• Avoid contact with anyone who is sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

• Currently, there are no entry restrictions or requirements to enter Switzerland. Please observe that your airline might require a negative test prior to boarding!

• Anyone presenting flu-like symptoms, a fever, breathing difficulties, or respiratory problems will immediately quarantine on campus (pending test result) and all necessary support will be provided.
• Students will receive information in a dedicated induction session during arrival weekend, including student counselor opening hours, contacts for medical advice, etc. Students will also complete any outstanding forms, such as emergency contacts, medical history forms, etc. 

• Face masks are no longer mandatory in indoor public areas. Should anyone wish to wear a mask they are accessible at the front desk.
• Hand sanitizer is readily available to everyone on all campuses and in all administrative offices.
• We encourage everyone to maintain strict social distancing (in Switzerland, the minimum distance is 1.5 meters). The use of approved disinfecting products is encouraged.
• Additional cleaning and disinfection of campuses, particularly public areas. 
• Class group timetables are arranged to have a steady flow of students at meals and optimize restaurant space.
• Medical appointments are available for any student who requires medical assistance—please contact the Front Desk or the Residence Management Team.
• Any activity outside regular classes and meals is monitored and all social distancing measures are followed. We continually follow the latest governmental mandates for any updates.

• In case of flu-like symptoms or upon arrival from countries with variant of concern:
  • Students who are worried that they may have flu-like symptoms should phone the Student Counselor and, if not available, the Resident Management Team that is available 24/7.
• Quarantine, when required, takes place on campus if possible. The academic and operations teams will provide you with all the necessary support during this time. 
• Any student who is in self-quarantine on campus will be required to stay in the provided accommodation. They will not be permitted to interact with any other person. A staff member will check up on students in self-quarantine each day to follow up on the daily preventative measures and provide meal service.

• Yes, students can be vaccinated during their stay in Switzerland without charge if all criteria are met.
• During the induction session with the student counselor you will receive the relevant information and will be supported on how/where to subscribe.

• Yes, the FOPH are recommending anyone that is eligible to receive a booster shot to do so (see information in link) and then inform us so the vaccination list can be updated.

• Yes, you can get a COVID Certificate. The vaccination you received must meet the following requirements:
• A COVID certificate is needed to enter into various venues/activities (including restaurants and bars) and is available to anyone that has been vaccinated (by authorised vaccinations), is recovered or has tested negative (PCR or Rapid Antigen test).
  • Vaccinated with one of the following
• Pfizer/BioNTech (BNT162b2 / Comirnaty® / Tozinameran)
• Moderna (mRNA-1273 / Spikevax / COVID-19 vaccine Moderna)
• AstraZeneca (AZD1222 Vaxzevria®/ Covishield™)
• Janssen / Johnson & Johnson (Ad26.COV2.S)
• Sinopharm / BIBP (SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine (Vero Cell))
• Sinovac (CoronaVac)
• COVAXIN®
• Novavax (NVX-CoV2373 / Nuvaxovid™/ CovovaxTM)
• • You must submit the application via the official links and you might need to show up in-person so that they personal details can be verified.
  • The proof must be in Latin script (either German, French, Italian or English)
  • The vaccine must be authorized in Switzerland
  • The vaccination must be complete; in other words it must include the number doses as per FOPH Recommendations

• Yes, it is possible to get tested in case of concern or if any symptoms are being displayed (there may be a cost incurred). For further details, please refer to the student counselor. 
• PCR and Rapid Antigen testing is carried out by a doctor, medical or testing center, with results available within 24 hours.  
• In case of symptoms, students awaiting PCR or Rapid Antigen test results must self-isolate.

• Contact your Student Counselor, Front Desk or any other staff member on campus if you have any concerns or require support. In addition, we have a dedicated email address by school for any questions linked to the coronavirus pandemic: contact@him.ch