With students returning to Glion and Bulle campuses from 20th July, and London campus from 24th August, it is an opportunity to share with new students our excitement for their arrival in October and how we are working to protect you from coronavirus.
The safety of all campus users is our number one priority. We will be keeping strict measures on all campuses to protect wellbeing and ensure the virus cannot spread. To reassure new students arriving in October, we would like to take this opportunity to outline our current safety measures in-place protecting our returning students, staff and faculty.
Protocols in place for July students
Our key precautionary measures at our Glion and Bulle campuses align with, or go beyond, the advice of Swiss health authorities. All of our campuses have been completely disinfected prior to the arrival of returning students, with reinforced sanitary protocols put in place and clear guidelines for personal hygiene everywhere.
Numerous hand sanitizers are available in all public areas and physical distancing of 1.5m is being enforced in all situations. To support this, we have created more space between tables in classrooms, floor-direction markings in restaurants and other public areas, and glass screens between teachers and students in one-to-one coaching offices. Face masks on campus are mandatory and will be provided free of charge.
Temperature checks on entry
Everyone entering our reception and lobby areas will automatically have their temperature checked using thermal cameras. To ensure everyone is checked, all students and staff must enter through the same door. If a fever is detected, we have a specific protocol in place to immediately isolate the individual and arrange a meeting with the health team.
Enabling distance learning
To support students learning via Glion Connect and those either in quarantine or self-isolation, we have installed cameras in classrooms for live broadcasting of lessons. Streams will be available for five hours in the morning and five hours in the afternoon, with video recordings available within 24 hours on Moodle.
Restaurants and accommodation
In our eateries, specific dining time slots are being used to avoid crowding and to allow for social distancing. Only cashless payments are accepted to reduce unnecessary contact, and tables and chairs are cleaned and disinfected after guests have departed.
Reinforced cleaning procedures have been introduced in all of our student accommodation that go way beyond industry standards. Hand sanitizer and additional cleaning supplies are available in all rooms and a health team is on campus Monday to Friday, with Security on-call 24/7.
That applies now, what about October?
Similar measures may apply when new students arrive on campus in October, however, we do not know how the situation will evolve. For this reason, we are maintaining regular contact with local medical networks and public health authorities to ensure we are following the latest guidance and recommendations.
We will keep all students updated with the latest details before departure from their home country in October. Students unable to able to come on campus in October due to travel restrictions can choose to study via our new Glion Connect platform.
For Glion London students, we are working closely with the University of Roehampton to put in-place rigorous safety measures for returning students that follow UK government guidelines.
Good to know – The current situation in Switzerland
The coronavirus situation in Switzerland is stable. Overall the number of cases is low and testing is readily available free of charge. Switzerland practices extensive contact tracing, self-isolation and quarantine when necessary. Specific restrictions include:
- Minimum social distance of 1.5 meters
- Groups of more than 30 people can be in public spaces
- Events can host a maximum of 1000 people
- Close physical sports are allowed
- Masks are compulsory on public transport, as well as in specific situations such as during a haircut or physiotherapy.
- Only travellers coming from high-risk countries need to complete a 10-day quarantine.
What to do now
The national restrictions and measures keep evolving every day, to find out more about ‘high-risk’ countries and get the latest COVID-19 information, visit the Federal Office of Public Health website for Glion and Bulle campuses, and Gov.uk for London campus.
We also advise all Glion and Bulle students, both current and new, to download the SwissCovid app to support the Swiss contact tracing strategy. For London students, visit the NHS Track and Trace App website and download to your phone when it becomes available.
Above all, be excited and ready for a warm welcome at your Glion campus and the start of your transformative education!
