Coronavirus news

To limit the spread of the coronavirus as much as possible, it’s important that you test yourself regularly. Even if you don’t come to HAN and especially if you return from abroad this summer. 

Voluntary, but still important
The use of a self-test is voluntary. These are not compulsory for coming to HAN; they are voluntary and we will not ask you for test results.

However, before you come to HAN, it’s important that you do a self-test. By doing a self-test, you help to limit the possible spread of the virus. Precisely because there are many people who don’t suffer from an infection and therefore don’t realize they are infected, preventive testing helps prevent further spread of the virus. We are therefore urging you to play your part in this and use the self-test.

Ordering the free self-tests
You can continue to order free self-tests with your HAN account via www.zelftestonderwijs.nl. It is still possible until 31 July, so don't wait too long. You’ll need to log in using your HAN account. Go to www.zelftestonderwijs.nl for general information and instructions on how to use the test.

The reason why ordering self-tests will end on 31 July is that the self-test policy in higher education ends after the first 2 weeks of the new academic year. Let's hope that the development of the virus during the summer will not change this. Continued testing and vaccination coverage during the summer holidays are therefore important issues. 

Error message when ordering the self-tests?
Many people are experiencing this issue. Fortunately, the error message is often wrong; the order has usually been placed correctly. You can check the status of your order in your own account at www.zelftestonderwijs.nl/order. As soon as your order is ready for dispatch, you can track it on postnl.nl and in the PostNL App.

Do you have questions about the self-tests? You can probably find the answers in the FAQs on the order site www.zelftestonderwijs.nl. Is your question not listed? Please contact the Self Tests Service Team. You can find the contact information in My Account on the order site. How does it work? 

Test yourself before you come to HAN. Within 15 minutes you’ll have the result. If the result is negative, you can come to HAN. But if the result is positive, stay home and make an appointment with the GGD, even if you don’t have any symptoms.

Don’t use the self-test if you have symptoms
The self-test does not replace the GGD test. The results of a self-test are less accurate. Do you have symptoms that may indicate the coronavirus or have you been close to someone infected with the coronavirus? Then make an appointment at the GGD to get tested. If the result of the self-test is positive, you also need to make an appointment with the GGD.

RIVM measures remain in force
Your health and safety and that of your fellow students and lecturers is top priority. Because self-testing is not compulsory, all measures remain in place, such as keeping a distance of 1.5 meters, wearing a mask, washing your hands regularly and staying at home if you have symptoms.

Do you have fragile health?
As we said in Wednesday’s email: we know there are students and lecturers who would very much like to come to HAN, but for whom it would entail too many health risks. Is that the case for you? Make further arrangements with your study coach or manager. Of course, we won’t force you to come to HAN.

Joint responsibility
We know that most students are eager to come back to HAN after a year of mainly (or only) distance education. That's why the self-tests are important, so this can be done in a safe way too.

We are thoroughly preparing ourselves for the consequences of the coronavirus measures on students and staff. HAN follows the advice of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), the Municipal Health Service (GGD) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

• We follow the websites of the RIVM and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• We are in direct contact with the GGD.
• When it comes to communication from universities of applied sciences, we follow the advice of the Netherlands Association of Universities of Applied Sciences.
• Regarding travel abroad for work or study, we follow the travel advice of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Nothing is certain yet regarding the start of the new academic year. For now, we’re optimistic and assume that on 13 August we’ll hear that the 1.5-meter measure will disappear. It would mean that a lot of classes can go ahead again at HAN. 

Classrooms will therefore be set up “as normal” during the holiday period. But the signs on the doors showing the maximum capacity per room according to the 1.5-meter rule will be taken down only when it’s certain that the rule will be dropped. The hand gel, walking routes, signs, stickers etc. in place, will also be left in place for the time being. Leaving them until circumstances are more certain is more efficient that removing and having to replace them if the situation changes again.

We’re aiming to have as much education on location as possible, given the situation and rules at the time.

Regarding the restart, HAN is working closely with the Netherlands Association of Universities of Applied Sciences, the security region, public transport, and the other major educational institutions in Arnhem and Nijmegen. Staff and students have received the rules by email.

If the 1.5-meter rule is dropped from 15 August, it will not affect the exams scheduled for T5. These timetables will remain the same, based on the 1.5-meter rule.

Educational activities are all organized activities where lecturer(s) and student(s)/course participants and students/course participants can physically meet each other at HAN locations. These are activities that take place from the start of the degree or course up to and including alumni activities. Naturally, students can contact their lecturer or study coach by phone or email.

Educational activities do not include the defence of theses and doctoral theses in small groups (these take place online if possible) and final assessment activities that require the physical presence of the student. At all times the general instructions of RIVM and GGD are considered, such as sufficient distance from each other.

Students and lecturers received information by mail about the possibilities for distance learning.

As you may know, due to the new variants of Covid-19, the Dutch government announced stricter coronavirus measures that are effective as of 23 January 2021. Some of these new measures concern travelers who are coming to the Netherlands. To make your trip safe, we recommend that you carefully read all the information below.

Extra Travel Restrictions

• A ban on flights and ferries (where applicable) from the United Kingdom, South Africa and a number of countries in South America is in force. Go to the website of the Dutch government for updates and the full list.
• All passengers travelling to the Netherlands by air or sea must be able to produce a negative result of a rapid COVID-19 test performed shortly (max 4 hrs) before their departure. This requirement is in addition to the existing mandatory negative test result for a PCR test performed no more than 72 hours before arrival in the Netherlands. This rule does not apply if you come from a so called “safe country”. See the list of safe countries on the website of the Dutch government.
• With regard to rapid tests, please keep in mind that only the negative result of the following tests will be accepted:

1. LAMP test (Loop mediAted isotherMal amPlification test)
2. Antigen rapid test

• To find out where you can be tested before your departure, please get in touch with the National Health services in your country.

Curfew

• A curfew will be in place between 21.00 and 04.30. For exemption please go to the website of the Dutch government.

Mandatory self-quarantine

• Travelers must self-quarantine for 10 days on arrival in the Netherlands. 

Help and support with self-quarantine

The brochure ‘Help and support when self-quarantining’ on the website of the Dutch government contains information, tips and contact details of organizations that can help you when you’re self-quarantining.

Important

If you have a cold, you're sneezing and/or coughing a lot or if you have a high fever and don't feel well, contact the International Office internationaloffice@han.nl. 

We will help you to make an appointment for a COVID-19 test at the Public Health Service. Make sure to read the COVID-19 measures of the Dutch government regularly. These are constantly adjusted, so keep yourself updated! Also, if you have questions or concerns on financial matters, education, immigration or other matters, please keep checking this page for the latest updates and measures concerning the coronavirus at HAN.

"Do I have to pay tuition fees now there's only distance learning?" "Is HAN going to pay back tuition fees because of my study delay?"

Students regularly ask us these and similar questions. The answer is "Yes, you have to pay tuition fees now" and "No, HAN is not going to pay back tuition fees".

The reason is that we have a legal obligation to collect the tuition fees. So, we’re not allowed not to collect the fees and we’re also not allowed to compensate them. But even in these circumstances, we continue to make every effort to offer 'regular' education (albeit remotely) and other educational facilities. And with an increasing variety of online possibilities than was the case a few weeks ago. Our lecturers are also learning a lot during this period!

Even though we do as much as we can to prevent it, it is possible that you are currently experiencing a study delay. For example, because you can't do an internship right now. Or because exams can’t be taken on time. In that case, contact your study coach to discuss the situation and any possible options. Unfortunately, for some students a study delay is unavoidable at the moment. In that case we’re going to help you catch up as much as possible within the possibilities that are available.

For the time being education at the HAN locations is not possible. You’ll receive more detailed information from your degree program about continuing your studies through distance learning. You can already get prepared:

• Go to Insite Rondom je studie for all the information about following distance learning.

At HAN much of our education is taking place online at the moment. That also has consequences for how we assess; where possible we’re working on alternative forms of (remote) assessment.

So, all exams, submissions, oral assessments, presentations etc. that can be done online will go ahead. Some subjects require physical presence during testing. The degree program gives timely notice of the total exam overview; keep a close watch on the information provided by your program. Of course, when examining on location, we take into account all the measures in place that the corona crisis and the 1.5-metre society demand of us.

We are doing everything possible to keep education, research, and exams running to avoid study delays as much as possible. Should the current period still lead to a study delay for you, we’ll do our best within the possibilities we have to help you get back on track.

Your study coach, lecturers and the board of examiners are there for you if you have any questions or concerns.

What should I do if I’m unable to take an exam because of corona related circumstances?
Do you already have health complaints, have you developed health complaints just before an exam and/or are you in quarantine? Then we ask you not to come to HAN for exams. Here and in the flowchart below you can read which follow-up steps you can take.

• Contact your study coach as soon as possible and inform them of your situation.
• Consider together how it will affect you and how to best ensure your studies will continue smoothly. The regular resit opportunities may be the right solution. Or your specific situation may require an extra exam opportunity or an exam in a different format to avoid a study delay. Draw up an action plan together with your study coach and submit a request to the board of examiners of your degree program if needed.
• When assessing your request, the board of examiners will take into account the special situation we are in and the related circumstances for you.

Exam opportunities
In case you miss one or more exams, remember there are always multiple exam opportunities each academic year. But if this leads to a build-up of exams or not being able to start your internship, don’t worry. We won’t leave you out in the cold. Together we’ll do everything we can to prevent any negative consequences for your study progress. Your study coach will help you find the best solution for your specific situation.

Exams on location; is that safe?
Yes, it is safe to come to HAN. We can assure you that exams on location are held in a responsible way; your health and safety and that of other students and staff are our top priority.

• When you arrive, go directly to the exam room and when the exam is over, immediately leave HAN.
• We apply the RIVM guidelines
• We keep 1.5 meters distance, also in classrooms
• The number of people per room is limited, up to 25% of normal occupancy.
• We ask everyone to wear a face mask (you may take it off when sitting at a desk).
• In buildings there are walking routes, disinfectants and we do extra cleaning rounds.

Do you have any questions about whether it's wise to come to HAN? Then contact your study coach.

Online proctoring
HAN has made a final decision on the use of online proctoring with Proctorio (OPP). Online proctoring may be used only in certain situations, i.e. according to the 'No, unless...' principle.

In order to determine whether to use online proctoring with Proctorio, we use the decision tree 'How to perform our summative testing in case of limitations due to COVID19'.

Graduation ceremonies

Graduation ceremonies are not permitted while the lockdown is in effect. After that, there may be room to allow graduation ceremonies to continue. This will be on a limited scale and according to RIVM guidelines. 
You’ll be informed about this by the staff from your degree program.

Certificates

Have you earned your propaedeutic, associate, bachelor or master degree? Then you can apply for an extract through the DUO Diploma Register. This extract is an official document issued by DUO, so it is valid proof that you have earned your degree certificate. It does look different from the original certificate. To log on to DUO, you need a DigiD with SMS verification.

If the above is not possible, you can request a certified copy from the Student Affairs Information Desk by sending an email to ask@han.nl, stating your student number and including a copy of your ID (black out your BSN number and passport photo). 
 

Have you been notified that your certificate is ready? Then you can pick it up from the Student Affairs Enquiry Desk! 
Check our site in advance for the current opening hours and observe the RIVM and HAN guidelines during your visit.

Just like last year, due to the corona crisis, universities of applied sciences are taking measures with regard to the BSA again this academic year. In concrete terms, this concerns the possibility for 1st-year students to meet the BSA standard in the next academic year if they suffer a study delay and therefore fail to meet the BSA standard in the 2021-2021 academic year.

Of course, at HAN we’ll continue our efforts to provide students with the best possible guidance and advice when their degree program turns out to be unsuitable. By the way, this issue is separate from the longer-term political debate on the BSA.

HAN students who had to meet the BSA standard in the 2019-2020 academic year have all been granted a one-year postponement. They are not subject to receiving general postponed study advice a 2nd time, even if they haven’t yet earned all credits for the 1st year.

The formal decision on the B(N)SA recently taken by the Executive Board can be read on Insite (in Dutch).

We are receiving a lot of questions from students about internships. Your degree program will continue to communicate with you about this.

Internship
In general terms, at HAN we believe that the quality of a student's performance during the internship is more important than the exact number of internship hours completed. Your degree program has the space to offer individual solutions, in the interest of your study progress. Unlike with exams, the lesson-free period in late April/early May or the lesson-free period in the summer can possibly be used by groups of students for internships or workplace learning. That will depend on the specific possibilities.

You may have to deal with limitations and modified work conditions enforced by your internship company due to the coronavirus. For example that you may only work from home. You have to follow the advice of your internship company. Contact your internship supervisor if that means you’ll be absent. We are currently working out how we can help you if your internship has been cancelled or you are experiencing problems.

Internship in a healthcare institution
Are you interning at a healthcare institution? For example at a university hospital, a general hospital or an outpatient clinic? In some cases you will need to go home because the healthcare institution has to focus primarily on the healthcare process. In other cases you will need to stay because you provide an important contribution to the care of patients.

The healthcare institution first decides whether you can contribute to patient care as an intern. Safety is a key priority here: your safety and that of the patients and staff in the healthcare institution. You may indicate to the healthcare institution and to HAN whether, for personal reasons, you wish to continue the internship or not. If relevant, an agreement will be made about whether and how the possibly different tasks fit within the goals of the internship. HAN is the leading party in these agreements.

Also when your internship or other form of education is cancelled, you can work as a student volunteer in a healthcare institution. Separate agreements have to be made for this employment relationship between you and the healthcare institution, e.g. regarding insurance. The healthcare institution decides whether you can continue the tasks; HAN is not a partner in this. If you carry out tasks as a student volunteer, there is no assessment and so no credits are linked to this. After all, it is not a continuation of previously followed educational activities.

Practical assessment
Some degree programs are very practice-based. That also needs to be assessed, but the assessments also need to be reliable. So it is not always possible to do this in an alternative way online. These degree programs will look at how assessments can best be planned and/or performed as soon as the HAN buildings are open again for in-person education and exams. Degree programs may also choose to make space for or integrate (parts of) the practical exams in the study program for the following academic year. The program can choose this if it improves the study feasibility for students. Your degree program will inform you about this in good time.

Do you live abroad and travel to HAN for your studies? In that case, the regular travel policy does not apply to you. Your situation is seen as exceptional. The Dutch government allows travel across the border for the purpose of study. In that case, you are also exempt from the home quarantine that applies after a stay in a high-risk area. So, you don't have to quarantine when you cross the border for work or study. But you do have to meet certain conditions:

• Physical presence at HAN is necessary. For example, you can't take an online lesson; and
• You must be enrolled at HAN and live permanently outside the Netherlands.

You can find this information on the website of the Dutch government. Please note: this is the line taken by the Dutch government, policies abroad may deviate from it. In Germany, for example, there are even differences per state. Do you live abroad? Then keep a close eye on the guidelines yourself, so you won't get any unexpected surprises.

Do you live permanently in the Netherlands and do you travel back and forth for a minor or other course abroad?
Then you are enrolled as a student at HAN and at the educational institution abroad. The above exception also applies to you.

Do you live permanently in the Netherlands and are you doing an internship or graduation project abroad?
Then the regular travel policy applies to you. If the destination country has code red or orange, HAN will not give you permission to do an internship in that country.

German test result requirement
The Netherlands has been designated a high-incidence area by Germany due to the increasing number of infections. Therefore, travel restrictions apply and people crossing the border must have a negative test result (in German, English or French) no older than 48 hours. These must be tests validated by the German authorities (PCR, rapid test and supervised self-test - employer may be a supervisor).

For border workers and students from the border region a test result no older than 72 hours is sufficient instead of 48 hours. So someone who goes from the Dutch border to Germany for work or internship 5 days a week has to get tested twice a week.

There is also an online registration requirement if you are travelling to Germany from the Netherlands. You can do so at www.einreiseanmeldung.de. Border workers and students from the border region only need to make a digital application once a week, so not every day.

We’ve adjusted the travel policy for students planning to travel abroad for their studies in the 2021-2022 academic year. The reason is that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced further easing of travel restrictions. This allows us to offer you more possibilities.
 
The principles of this policy are:

• We continue to follow the advice of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Are you residing in your home country (other than the Netherlands) for a minor, internship or graduation project? Then you are an exception to this policy.
• Are you going abroad for your studies (minor, internship or graduation project)? Then the following applies:
  • You can travel to countries with a green or yellow color code.
  • In principle you can travel to countries or areas with code orange, provided you have signed a statement declaring that you consider study abroad (minor, internship or graduation) essential for your study progress and that you absolve HAN of all responsibility. This requires you to sign a statement, which you can find here: Dutch version and English version
  • If a country has code red, you may not travel there. This is because HAN assumes that meaningful study or work is not possible at that location.
• Have you already left for a country and has the Ministry of Foreign Affairs changed the color code to orange or red during your stay there? Then it is your responsibility to assess whether you can continue your studies, minor or internship there or whether you should return. Any return due to a change of circumstances is your own responsibility and not that of HAN. You need to assess your situation yourself. You can get advice from the Dutch Embassy, your travel company or travel insurance company and HAN. Whether or not you take out cancellation insurance is also your own responsibility.
• For study trips abroad the same guidelines apply as for students travelling abroad for their minor, internship or graduation assignment. And study associations that are planning travel to locations with code orange must always contact the school management team beforehand.

This is not an easy time: a new form of education, which you hardly had time to adapt to, a different daily routine, not being able to meet and catch up with your fellow students, more dependent on yourself, perhaps you are feeling bored or lonely, or maybe someone in your family has fallen ill. In short, you have a lot to deal with!

Not everyone can manage that equally well. And that's very understandable! If you need a chat, support, a listening ear, a little more guidance or coaching; our student support staff are ready to help you! Here is a list of what support you can access and how. We are limiting personal, face-to-face contact as much as possible, so conversations take place by phone or via Teams. We will always respect your privacy.

Student psychologists
Do you need immediate psychological assistance? Then you can sign up by filling in the intake form and sending it to studentenpsychologen@han.nl. The forms are screened daily by a student psychologist. You will be contacted to discuss what happens next.
Contact: studentenpsychologen@han.nl, by phone (024) 353 04 34.

Student counsellors
You can contact one of the student counsellors by email or phone. You can also use the online appointment planner to schedule an appointment. Don't forget to include your telephone number; a student counsellor will contact you by telephone.
Contact: studentendecanen@han.nl | (024) 353 04 34

Training or coaching
Coaching calls will go ahead via Skype, phone, mail, Teams. You can continue to sign up for 'study skills coaching' via the online portal. Group meetings will continue online or in a different format. Sessions that are cancelled will be rescheduled. You'll be notified about this.
Contact: studenttrainingencoaching@han.nl

Course Transfer Desk
Are you thinking of switching to another degree program? You can discuss this via Skype, phone, email or Teams. Send an email to your Course Transfer Desk, and they will schedule a meeting with you.

• studiewisselpunt.FEM@han.nl
• studiewisselpunt.FE@han.nl
• studiewisselpunt.GGM@han.nl
• studiewisselpunt.Techniek@han.nl

Student Chaplaincy
You can also contact a chaplain for support or a conversation.
Arnhem: All group activities at the Arnhem Student Point have been cancelled until 1 June. Individual sessions can still take place both in person (provided all advised measures are followed) and by telephone, Skype and email.
Contact: Iris Springvloed | iris@arnhemstudentpoint.nl | (06) 39 70 92 03Iris Springvloed | iris@arnhemstudentpoint.nl | (06) 39 70 92 03
The building of the Student Church on the Erasmuslaan in Nijmegen is currently closed and there will be no celebrations. The team can be reached for guidance or consultation via email, telephone and Skype. Go to www.ru.nl/studentenkerk for current info and materials you can use to keep in touch. 
A small remote course has been developed for this period: MEANING in my life.
Contact: Nicole Schubert | nicole.schubert@han.nl | (06) 55 21 89 44

HAN confidential counselors
At HAN we treat each other respectfully. Unfortunately, incidents can still occur in which you as a student have to deal with unacceptable behavior such as aggression and violence, bullying, (sexual) harassment and discrimination, including digital behavior. If this happens, contact one of the confidential counsellors to discuss what you can do about it. You can choose which confidential counsellor you want to speak to, and you can be sure that your confidentiality is guaranteed.

Tips to stay mentally fit and study independently
How do you stay mentally fit in the current situation? Fortunately, there are a lot of things you can do. On Insite you will find some specific tips.

• Staying mentally fit
• Studying independently

International students
Are you an international HAN student? If you think you are infected with the coronavirus, it is best to contact the GGD (0800 1351) or a general practitioner's office first (Arnhem: 026-3899696; Nijmegen: 0900 8880). They'll tell you what to do next.
If you have other medical complaints, contact a general practitioner by telephone, even if you are not registered with a general practitioner.

DUO loan for EU/EEA students

Have the corona measures caused financial problems for you? Because you temporarily can’t work, for example. In cases like this, DUO is temporarily offering the possibility for higher student loans each month. That can be done with retroactive effect, as of the start of the academic year. You can also apply for tuition fee credit.

You can arrange this yourself in "Mijn DUO". Not enough? Contact DUO yourself to find out about the possibilities. DUO is aiming to help out as much as possible when it comes to students with financial setbacks due to the corona measures.

See also duo.nl/corona for all the information about the possibilities of a financial support if you fall behind in the final phase of your studies due to the corona measures.

HAN Emergency Fund for non-EU/EEA students

If you are a non-EER-student, then unfortunately you are not eligible for DUO schemes. But you may be eligible for a loan from the HAN Emergency Fund. Your financial  emergency may not be of a structural nature and it must meet a number of strict criteria. The application must be accompanied by all relevant supporting documents. You can find more information on this Insite page.

Financial compensation for students by Dutch government

All students (including international students) who have to re-enroll next academic year and graduate between September 2020 and the end of January 2021 from an MBO college or university of applied sciences, or earn their master from a university will receive financial support from the Dutch government. All students whose right to a basic or supplementary grant expires in July, August or September will also receive financial support. 

Study delay

Because of the corona crisis, universities of applied sciences are providing as much of their education as possible online. Every effort is being made to prevent study delays. Despite these efforts, delays are unavoidable for programs with internships and practicals. What’s more, students in their final year aren’t able to catch up in the later years of their program. So, all students (including international students) who have to re-enroll in the upcoming academic year and who graduate between September 2020 and the end of January 2021 will receive a sum of money equal to three months of tuition fees. For students in higher education, that sum is €535.

Supplementary grant

The government is also offering special support to students who are no longer eligible for a basic and supplementary grant. Students who are not longer eligible to a grant in July, August and September will receive a one-off support payment. The one-time support payment is €1,500 for students in higher education who have a supplementary student grant. 

More information

Read everything about the financial support scheme for study delays, extra travel rights with your student travel card or about the possibilities of a supplementary grant at:

• The DUO website
• The website of the Dutch government

Working from home
The national work-at-home policy has been partially dropped. Therefore, from now on, you can go to the office for up to half of your working hours again. Provided that the 1.5-meter distance can be upheld.

Make arrangements with your manager about working on location, so that not everyone is in the office at the same time and the 1.5-meter distance can be maintained. If you work on location during the summer, be aware that many buildings will be closed.

Read about the facilities and advice for working from home on Insite.

Working at the HAN campus
Are you working at HAN in consultation with your manager? When working at any of the HAN locations, remember to follow our guidelines and those of the RIVM. Posters are hanging throughout the buildings as a reminder.

Stickers (green/red) have been placed on desks in the HAN buildings, so you can see where best to sit to keep 1.5 meters distance. Most workspaces are equipped with a monitor for a laptop or a workstation (40% of all workspaces). At some of these places you can only sit with a laptop. Fewer monitors are currently available at HAN because many colleagues are using a HAN monitor at home.

Travelling to the HAN campus
Preferably come to the campus by bike or on foot if possible and only use public transport if necessary.

• Go to Insite Rondom je werk (Dutch only) for all the information about organizing distance learning.
• Go to the frequently asked questions on Insite (Dutch only) for staff for all the information about assessment and internship activities.

NWO has taken a number of measures to support researchers. The first is that ongoing rounds where no more interaction is required with applicants can go ahead according to schedule. For other ongoing rounds, interviews are being postponed and deadlines for submission extended.

NWO is well aware that postponing interviews is not a good thing for the people involved in application procedures. They are therefore looking for ways to proceed with the grant allocations. The importance of utmost care and a level playing field for all candidates means that finding a solution takes time. In April, NWO will provide solutions in consultation with the knowledge institutes. The deadlines for upcoming calls have been postponed by one month and those for more complex calls with consortia will be put on hold and resumed again one month after the national measures are lifted. If second-flow funding is cut back for longer periods due to these measures, financial problems may arise.

At the moment there is insufficient visibility on the extent of the situation, but the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science remains in contact with NWO and the Association of Universities of Applied Sciences.

Do you live abroad and travel to HAN to work? In that case, the regular travel policy does not apply to you. Your situation is seen as exceptional. The Dutch government allows travel for the purpose of study or work across the border. In that case, you are also exempt from the home quarantine that applies after a stay in a high-risk area. So, you don't have to quarantine when you cross the border for work or study. However, as a border worker you have to meet conditions:

• You have to be physically present at work;
• You can't work from home; and
• You live in another EU Member State, but work in the Netherlands and return at least once a week to your place of residence outside the Netherlands.

You can find this information on the website of the Dutch government. Please note: this is the line taken by the Dutch government, policies abroad may deviate from it. In Germany, for example, there are even differences per state. Do you live abroad? Then keep a close eye on the guidelines yourself, so you won't get any unexpected surprises.

German test result requirement
The Netherlands has been designated a high-incidence area by Germany due to the increasing number of infections. Therefore, travel restrictions apply and people crossing the border must have a negative test result (in German, English or French) no older than 48 hours. These must be tests validated by the German authorities (PCR, rapid test and supervised self-test - employer may be a supervisor).

For border workers and students from the border region a test result no older than 72 hours is sufficient instead of 48 hours. So someone who goes from the Dutch border to Germany for work or internship 5 days a week has to get tested twice a week.

There is also an online registration requirement if you are travelling to Germany from the Netherlands. You can do so at www.einreiseanmeldung.de. Border workers and students from the border region only need to make a digital application once a week, so not every day.

HAN is not giving staff permission to travel for work/business to countries or areas with red or orange travel advice. If, as a staff member, you are in a country where the advice changes from green/yellow to orange/red, you should check whether the stay is really necessary and whether there are possibilities to go home.

Registration

As a staff member you are obliged to register when you go abroad. It is important that you do this so that HAN has a complete overview and can take targeted actions if necessary. The registration form for staff can be found on Insite.

 

We can imagine that this period could cause feelings of restlessness or stress. Perhaps feelings of being powerless, too. Especially if the current measures are to last longer. At the moment, you may not be able to share your concerns as well as usual with colleagues or you may have many thoughts rushing through your mind when you are alone.

Would you like to talk to somebody about that? As a HAN employee, you can request a free consultation (20 minutes) with one of the psychologists from Ascender via a special helpline. You can discuss questions or uncertainties or simply let off steam. You can reach the helpline by phone on 0800-3277378. If you need more support, your colleagues in the HR department are available to help you further.

If you have any questions, you can contact the HR Enquiry Desk | (024) 353 05 50 | Vraagpunt.HR@han.nl.

For the most up-to-date information on opening times of the buildings on the Arnhem and Nijmegen campuses, check Insite. While on campus, follow the RIVM and HAN guidelines.

The Service Desks and the Service Information Desks can be reached as follows.

Service Desks

The Service Desks at Kapittelweg 33, Ruitenberglaan 26 and 31 are open from 8.00 to 17.00.

Student Affairs Enquiry Desk

• 22 June to 10 July: 8.00-16.30 (online and on campus)
• Summer Enquiry Desk | 13 July to 21 August: 9.00-13.00 (online and on campus)

HR Enquiry Desk and other Service Information Desks

Available by phone and email from 8.00 to 17.00. The post is processed on a daily basis.

• Outgoing post can be delivered to the reception desks at K33 and R26.

Incoming post is opened centrally and, if necessary, sent to the home address of the addressee. Confidential post items are dealt with by the HAN archivist.

In the last week of August, introductory activities will take place again. Last year these were mainly held online. This year they will fortunately be held in-person again.

Based on the national scenarios, we’ve established or reconfirmed the following guidelines:

• parties are not allowed at HAN
• canteens, cafes and bars on HAN campuses are allowed to open (but according to current hospitality guidelines)
• alcohol may be served from 15.00
• HAN premises will close at 22.00
• no overnight stays can take place at or outside HAN

Of course, everything is subject to the government decision on 13 August (on the 1.5-meter measure, for example) and of course, for all activities the (previously) applicable government/RIVM guidelines must be respected.

Check the Open Days page for more information and the next date.

Check the Open Evening page for more information and the next date (only in Dutch).

Matching will be done differently this year because of the measures related to the coronavirus. The questionnaires are a required part of Matching. After the questionnaires you would normally have an appointment at HAN. This academic year all appointments at HAN locations have been cancelled to prevent further spread of the coronavirus in the Netherlands. 

To help applicants make an informed decision about whether the degree program is a good match for them, online alternatives are being offered where possible. Applicants will be informed about this by the relevant degree program.

For more information about Matching, go to www.han.nl/studiekeuzecheck (Dutch only).

For the status of other events and gatherings, go to www.han.nl/agenda (Dutch only).

No, Student for a Day events at the HAN locations will not go ahead as long as there is limited education at the HAN locations.

As an alternative, some programs allow you to experience their program online. Check the pages of the program you're interested in.

In January 2021, the Netherlands started vaccinating the population. Their aim is to reduce public health risks and scale down the restrictions. The Dutch strategy is to vaccinate in phases from oldest to youngest: first those over 90, then those aged 85-89, then those aged 80-84 and so on. People in the age group of 18 – 25 are expected to receive an invitation from May onwards. 

Do you have a Dutch study permit? And are you registered in the municipal administration here in the Netherlands? Then you are also eligible for a vaccination. When it’s your turn to be vaccinated, the municipal health service (GGD) will send an invitation letter to your current address. Make sure your address is updated in www.studielink.nl. 

Is it compulsory to get vaccinated in the Netherlands? No, it’s your own choice. Make sure you are well informed, so you can make the right choice.

Good to know:

• Vaccination is free
• You get the shot in your upper arm
• The vaccine consists of 2 doses: you get the second dose 3 weeks after the first one. 7 days after the second dose you’ll have maximum protection against COVID-19.

For more detailed information please check: Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 | Coronavirus COVID-19 | Government.nl

HAN has taken extra (hygiene) measures to prevent/limit the spread of the Coronavirus as much as possible. Cleaning is done several times a day with disinfectants. Notice that the towel or soap dispenser is empty? Or that an area hasn’t been cleaned? Report it to the ServiceDesk: ServiceDesk@han.nl of (024) 353 16 66.

• Wear a mask at HAN (you can take it off once seated)Work at home if you don’t need to be at HAN
• Stay home if you have cold symptoms or a fever and get tested.
• Keep a distance of 1.5 meters
• Disinfect your hands when entering the building
• Wash your hands regularly
• Don’t shake hands
• Cough and sneeze on the inside of your elbow
• Use paper handkerchiefs
• Follow the indicated walking routes
• Avoid busy areas
• Come to HAN by bike if possible
• Follow the RIVM and HAN guidelines and instructions from HAN colleagues

  

The flowchart below shows what you can do if you have complaints, come from an area at risk or have been in contact with someone with a suspected coronavirus infection. This flowchart applies to staff and students.

Do you have symptoms, such as a fever or cold? Get tested and don’t come to HAN for (practical) training, an exam or work. Have you come from abroad recently? On your return, go into quarantine.

Are you infected with the coronavirus? Then report it:

• As a student to your study coach
• As an employee to your supervisor and - if you’re sick - also at the reception desk of the building where you (normally) work

Your personal data will not be registered centrally. HAN's safety advisor only keeps the statistics up to date. As a university of applied sciences, this is important in order to be able to guarantee the continuity of (practical) training and exams as well as possible and to keep HAN safe.

For the time being, HAN's regular sick leave and care leave policies apply.  

For staff:

• The regular sick policy applies. That’s because we as HAN want to track if and when our business-critical processes might be at risk.
• If there are medical reasons preventing you from working, report this by phone to the reception at HAN and to your manager.
• In case of mild cold symptoms, we follow the advice of RIVM, GGD and WHO. The general principle is that you don’t report sick with such symptoms, but you continue your work at home. Just like you would in a normal situation.
• Fear of infection and the care of sick family members are in principle not valid reasons for reporting sick. If you are not sick but decide not to work anyway, you’ll have to use your sustainable employability hours (DI hours) or leave hours. Contact your manager about this if you have any questions.

For students

• If you can’t study due to medical reasons, report this by phone to your study coach.
• Fear of infection is no reason to call in sick.
• Care for sick family members is no reason to call in sick.
• In case of mild cold symptoms, we follow the advice of RIVM, GGD and WHO. Don’t come to HAN, but study at home.