On-site teaching
The start of the 2021 academic year at HEAD – Genève is synonymous with a return to on-site teaching for all courses. After three semesters of partially distance learning, HES-SO Genève is aiming to return to on-site teaching, in near-normal conditions which will allow students to exercise the practical skills essential to their training.

Covid certificate for students
Access will only be granted to those who can present a Covid certificate at the entrance to the building, as of Monday 20 September 2021.  The Covid certificate is issued to people who have been vaccinated, those who have recovered from Covid within the last six months or those who have tested negative.

Covid tests are free of charge at least until the end of December (and probably beyond) for students of Geneva’s higher education institutions (upon presentation of a student card).  These results are valid for 72 hours, so tests will only have to be carried out once or twice a week. In addition, HES-SO Genève will set up a centre for targeted and repeated tests as soon as possible, at least on the main site of each of its six schools, including HEAD – Genève. Detailed information will be communicated as soon as possible. These tests will enable you to access your school, attend courses, and go to the library. However, the document delivered after the targeted and repeated tests is not equivalent to a Covid certificate (it will therefore not be valid for going to the cinema or other public places for which a certificate is required).

When to wear a mask
Now that the Covid certificate has been imposed, students are no longer required to wear masks in the classroom (those who wish to continue to do so can of course). However, masks must still be worn when moving around the buildings. 

Online courses
During a period of transition until 15 November, HEAD – Genève will be able to offer some courses online in addition to on-site teaching (hybrid or mixed-mode). This will pertain to courses that can be organised online without compromising the quality of the teaching. This possibility will therefore not be offered for practical teaching in the form of workshops. (It should nevertheless be possible for one-to-one teaching and monitoring). The choice will be up to teachers.

Checks
This system relies primarily on the responsibility of students, who should not come to school without a certificate or a test. Random checks will be carried out and students who do not comply will be subject to financial and disciplinary sanctions. The personnel in charge of the checks will be duly sworn and will be authorised to request proof of ID and/or student cards.

On-site vaccination campaign for all students
To facilitate vaccination, we remind you that students and staff members can come to the HES offices to be vaccinated from 24 September for the first dose and from 22 October for the second one. The cantonal pharmacist will visit the universities according to the following schedule (detailed information on our website, hesge.ch):

- Friday, 24 September (then 22 October): Campus Battelle
- Monday, 27 September (then 25 October): HETS 
- Tuesday, 28 September (then October 26): HEdS
- Wednesday, 29 September (then October 27): HEM 
- Thursday, 30 September (then October 28): HEPIA
- Friday, 1 October (then October 29): Battelle Campus 
 
This vaccination campaign is aimed at all members of the HES community (students and staff) and anyone can go to a site that suits them. It is also open to those who are not affiliated to a Swiss health insurance scheme and the vaccine is free of charge for all.It is also possible to go to a vaccination centre, with or without an appointment.

For staff
For staff, wearing a mask is still mandatory in all HES-SO Genève buildings. It must be worn when moving around and can be removed once the person has reached their workplace, as long as a distance of 1.5 meters is respected.
Of course, both staff and students must continue to apply basic protective measures and wash their hands regularly with soap and water or with a hydroalcoholic solution. In case of symptoms, please get tested, stay home and seek medical attention.

More information: https://www.hesge.ch/geneve/coronavirus