On 7 September, the Swedish Government announced that a majority of the remaining COVID restrictions in Sweden will be removed on 29 September. This means that the Vice-Chancellor has revised what will apply at Umeå University for the period 30 September until 1 November.
"The University Management and I have really been looking forward to relieving the university's COVID measures and returning to work again. Finally this is happening! At the same time, we need to remember that the pandemic isn't over. Many people have yet to be vaccinated, so maintaining distance in combination with increasing the vaccination coverage is still key to continuing the gradual return to campus," says Hans Adolfsson, Vice-Chancellor of Umeå University.
This is what applies between 30 September and 1 November
Possible to work from the workplace
It will be possible to work from the workplace from 30 September. This means that the manager in charge needs to form a plan for how this return to the workplace should take place for the transition period we are facing. The overall goal is to carry out a gradual return to the workplace during the autumn semester and after the turn of the year conduct campus-based activities again.
Read about the return to the workplace and working from home in the future
Teaching and assessment with physical attendance
Teaching is possible with physical attendance for all students from 30 September, which was announced already in August. From 30 September, written hall examinations, and other forms of examinations with physical attendance, can be scheduled as normal again. There are no requirements for rapid readjustments of plans, but those who benefit from the COVID regulations lifting are now offered that possibility. Several opportunities to adjust or reschedule teaching and assessment also remain in the decision as these provide opportunities during a transition period rather than restrictions.
No measures regarding meetings, events and travels
From 30 September, it will also be possible to hold meetings and events with physical attendance. Business travel can be carried out when necessary and in accordance with the university's Regulations for Business Travel.
Maintaining distance is key
To be able to return to campus-based activities safely, the university's recommendation is that reasonable distance must be maintained in all situations where this is possible. The need to continue to keep distance to others is based on everyone still not being vaccinated. What distance is reasonable and possible varies depending on the situation. Umeå University's guideline is to leave every other chair empty. It will still be important that everyone, regardless of vaccination, continues to stay at home and get tested in the event of symptoms arising.
The Government and the Public Health Agency of Sweden are now removing all limitations on number of participants. This means that the previously announced limit of 50 people per hall will be removed in the university's premises. However, in the room booking system, TimeEdit, the maximum number of people per hall will still be adjusted to leaving every other chair empty until 1 November.
Inform your students of the vaccination centre on campus
Those of you who have not already, please inform your students about the possibility to get vaccinated against COVID-19 at Region Västerbotten's drop-in centre for vaccination on Campus Umeå. The vaccination centre can be found opposite Infocenter in Universum. Please refer to this page for more information and opening hours: umu.se/en/vaccination-centre
November and onwards
This decision was a revision of what had already been decided for October. A new announcement regarding the period from 2 November and onwards will be announced in October.
Read the decision
Questions and comments
If you have questions or comments about the university's information or handling of COVID-19, please contact the Crisis Management Team on corona@umu.se.