Priit Reiska: Dear University Family
Read the full note of the Acting Rector Priit Reiska, which was sent to university's employees.
Dear University Family,
Yesterday we found out that two students of Tallinn University COVID-19 tests turned out to be positive. Due to that, there are several changes in the work and study regulations at the university.
The university bases its preventive measures on a color scheme with green, yellow and red levels. The green plan is in use if the number of infected people in Tallinn is less than 25 per 100,000 inhabitants. Currently, this number is more than 28, so we are implementing the yellow plan. If there should be more than 50 people infected per 100,000 inhabitants, we will implement the red plan. We will announce the plan fully during the day and we will talk about it in more detail at the Info Session that takes place today, 8 September, at 4 pm in Zoom.
The university welcomes staff who are healthy and without signs of an infectious disease
and who follow the recommendations for preventing the spread of the virus. We recommend remote work to those, who themselves or whose family members belong to the risk group. We also propose remote work for those whose nature of work allows it. Keep in mind, that a substantive agreement with the immediate supervisor is important here.
If you suspect being infected to coronavirus,
then first contact your family doctor or call The family physician advisory line (1220), who will arrange testing if necessary.If you must stay at home, then let your immediate supervisor know, to discuss the remote work organisations or a possibility to stay on sick leave.
Keep in mind, that if you suspect being infected, then you must stay at self-isolation for 14 days. If there are any symptoms, then testing is necessary. If your COVID-19 test turns out to be positive, then make sure to let our Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Reilika Muuli (reilika.muuli@tlu.ee) know about it. Everyone who has been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, must also remain at self-isolation.
When staying at the campus, consider
that it is also possible to work in a larger room at the same time, if the distance between the desks is sufficient or a shelf or a portable protective screen is between the employees. Otherwise, consider working alternately in the room, preferably on weekly shifts, so that there are so-called non-working days in the room. If possible, find temporarily another room for some employees.
We kindly ask all members of the university to use the HOIA application, which helps you to know if you have been in close contact with somebody, who has COVID-19. Let's take steps to hold our own and other's health!
Hold meetings remotely,
but if you do come together physically, then keep an eye to hold a safe distance. If keeping a safe distance is not possible, then make sure to wear a protective mask. If you wish to order a portable protective screen, then contact the Head of Property Management Office.
The university provides protective masks for employees.
The staff of the academic units receive it from the administrative office of their unit, and the support units from the head of the department. Reilika Muuli, an Occupational Health and Safety Specialist in the Personnel Office, hands out masks to the units.
Events and gatherings,
with the exception of formal meetings, must be held electronically or, if necessary, in the open air, provided that participants hold a safe distance and personal protective equipment. Social events that take place indoors are forbidden. Allowed are events related to teaching and research - training, workshops, but in condition, that all participants are registered and general safe distance principles are used.
Business trips,
are allowed, if they are absolutely necessary and coordinated with the (Acting) Rector. Please consider that there might be several limits to enter foreign countries, obligation to stay at self-isolation or to test; or risk of non-reimbursement in the event of cancellation of the trip.
When coming back from your travels, please make sure in what conditions and if you should restrict your movement in Estonia (Information on countries and restriction on freedom of movement requirements for passengers).
Auditorium occupancy may not exceed 50%.
If this requirement cannot be met, a protective mask must be worn in the study room. A lecturer does not have to wear a mask when conducting studies if they are at least three meters away from the students.
Distance learning is mandatory in subject courses,
in which participating lecturers / learners are sent to self-isolation. In this case, any use of the university territory is prohibited. We strongly recommend to also organise subject courses with more than 50 participants in the form of distance learning.
It is recommended to use e-learning,
as well as to create opportunities where physical presence is not a condition for passing the examination or passing the subject. Seminars, workshops, assessments and examinations may be physically organised, provided that they do not involve students or lectures, who are COVID-19 positive or must stay at self-isolation and that the principle of safe distance is guaranteed.
In e-learning, lecturer has the right
to demand that students appear in e-learning at agreed times, perform their full names, and use the camera. If the student's device does not have a camera capability, the lecturer has the right to request it in certain cases, such as a seminar, etc., but to allow the use of the image at other times.
Join me today at 4 pm in the university's info session, which takes place in the Zoom environment. To join the info session, click here! (the info session takes place in Estonian).
Priit Reiska,
Acting Rector of Tallinn University