Providing a safe framework for study and work is our responsibility as an institution. Please find here below the main points of the HEAD Protection Plan, which is fully in line with that of HES-SO Genève:

Reinforcement of social distancing procedures

Anyone moving inside and outside the buildings must wear a mask at all times. It can only be removed when the person has returned to his or her place of work or study and provided that he or she is alone in the space.

Each reception is equipped with hand sanitiser and we invite everyone to disinfect their hands on arrival and to bring a mask.

Since Monday 9 November 2020, students can collect a refillable pocket bottle of hand sanitiser from their department’s administrative office, while stocks last.  All areas are also equipped with hand sanitiser as well as products and towels to disinfect surfaces. It is everyone’s responsibility to keep the areas clean and organised. Cleaning is required twice daily, morning and afternoon at a minimum.

Teachers are encouraged to remind students of and enforce social distancing at the beginning of each face-to-face activity.
Gatherings – informal discussions between colleagues, such as a coffee break – are authorised for up to 5 people, wearing masks and keeping a distance of 1.5 metres from one another.

In the event of non-compliance with the rules, the teacher/assistant may exclude the student from the course and ask him/her to leave the campus. The Head of Department will then be informed and may issue a written warning. In the event of a repeat offence, a message must be sent to him/her, with a copy to management. He/she will then be summoned by the Director, with the possibility of a sanction.

Appointment of a HEAD Covid-19 contact person The University’s management has appointed Karine De Cecco as HEAD’s Covid-19 contact person to ensure compliance with the protection plan. She is the contact person for all questions relating to face-to-face activities and she will respond to requests from staff and students. She will report any issues to management (non-compliance with rules, technical difficulties, etc.). Karine De Cecco – karine.dececco@hesge.ch – M +41 79 708 79 9

Presence of additional staff at the entrance to the buildings responsible for ensuring compliance with the Protection Plan 
All buildings are equipped with the SocialPass system and tracing app. In order to signal their presence in a building, each person must scan the QR Code which is displayed upon arrival. 

Rooms in which activities take place – classrooms, conference rooms, offices, workshops, cafeterias – must be ventilated every hour for a minimum of five minutes.

Teleworking is preferred
Due to the presence in Switzerland of the new Coronavirus variant and in order to prevent a third wave, the Swiss government has now imposed teleworking, as stated in its press conference of Wed. 13/1/21. HES-SO Geneva continues to carry out part of its teaching and research activities face-to-face, in accordance with article 6d of the Ordinance on measures to combat the Covid-19 epidemic in special situations. This implies that some staff members also provide part of their professional services in face-to-face meetings when this is necessary for the fulfilment of the institution’s missions.

Good luck to all !
For your information, here are useful links:

HEAD – Genève Protection Plan - Implementation of a secure work and study environment