Slowly, The Netherlands is reopening. Last Tuesday the Dutch government announced new measures that allow us a bit more freedom and these will come into effect from 11 May. We have included an outline of the new guidelines and changes below for your reference.
Plans are being drawn up to reopen higher-education institutions specialising in the Applied Sciences. One of the biggest challenges is managing the large number of people involved, with at least 500,000 students and staff who will need to travel to their place of teaching and learning.
We are looking forward to starting our phased opening soon. These plans have already been shared with you but as a reminder, we will focus first on giving access to students who are due to graduate imminently so that they can complete their final projects and exams.
All other students will return at the start of the next Academic year (for more information please read the previous update).
From 2 June the workshops and library will be open to graduating students, but with limited access to conform with the government’s guidelines. Visiting times can be scheduled via an app. A link to download the app will be shared in an email from the Educational Desk. Final assessments will take place online in June and – hopefully – on location in August.
We are also investigating the idea for a festive ceremony in September that complies with the regulations from the government.
Student belongings
Do you have anything in the Academy building that you need? You can schedule a time to come and collect your belongings via the app shared in the recent email from the Educational Desk. Nothing has been or will be thrown away!
Returning library books
You can now also hand in library books at the Academy at the temporary reception at the student entrance. Please include a note with your name on it and the titles you are handing in.
Online Café
With Microsoft Teams ‘meeting places’ we have created a space where we can all meet virtually. You will have received an invite to join from the HR-team if you are a member of staff or from the Educational Desk if you are a student.
We hope to use this platform to promote knowledge sharing and provide the opportunity to ask technical questions. On Tuesday 12 May 2020 at 9.30 am the Executive Board will be in the meeting space to answer questions from DAE staff. Don’t miss it!
New students
The Open Day in June will not take place. Applications for 2020-21 admissions are progressing well and we hope, despite all uncertainties, to welcome a new intake of students from September.
Graduation Show 2020
A dedicated team of Design Academy Alumni is currently working hard to create a beautiful edition of the Graduation Show 2020. We don’t know what the future will bring but we are determined to do everything we can to prepare to deliver the best possible outcome. The Dutch government is expected to make a decision regarding mass spectator events before 1 September.
Please read our updated Q&A on the DAE website to find the latest information on any relevant changes.
We are very much looking forward to seeing you all back at the Academy soon.
If you are a student and you have any questions that are not covered by the Q&A on the DAE website, please consult the coordinator of the department or Olga Pullens (Dean) (+31 6 44594717).
If you are a tutor and you have any questions, please consult the coordinator of the department or Emke Molnar (HR) (+31 6 83372689).
If you are staff, head or coordinator and you have any questions, please consult your supervisor or Emke Molnar (HR) (+31 6 83372689).
If Emke or Olga cannot be reached directly by phone, please send them a text message.
Avoid busy places and stay 1.5 metres away from others
From Monday 11 May, we will have a little more freedom, but it will be more important than ever to observe the main rules.
You should continue to do the following:
• Wash your hands.
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow.
• Use paper tissues to blow your nose and discard them after use.
• Don’t shake hands with others.
• Stay 1.5 metres (2 arms lengths) away from other people.
• Work at home if possible.
If you are sick
• Stay at home if you have mild cold-like symptoms, such as a sore throat, a runny nose, sneezing, a mild cough or a fever below 38 degrees Celsius.
• If you have a fever above 38 degrees Celsius or shortness of breath, you and anyone you live with should stay at home. If you feel better and have not had any symptoms for 24 hours, you can go outside again.
Avoid busy places and keep your distance
• Make sure you can always stay 1.5 metres from others.
• If this is impossible, go somewhere else.
Step by step
The government will start by relaxing restrictions at local or neighbourhood level to avoid flooding our streets, traffic and public transport. The government will then relax restrictions at regional level and finally at national level. First small gatherings will be allowed and later larger gatherings, so that everything remains as manageable and orderly as possible. The details will be worked out in the weeks ahead.
From 11 May the following will apply:
Schools
- Primary schools, including special primary schools, and childcare providers will reopen on 11 May.
Sports and play
- Young people aged 13 to 18 will be allowed to play sports together outdoors under supervision, but must stay 1.5 metres apart.
- Adults can play sports outdoors from 11 May as long as they can stay 1.5 metres apart. Matches and competitions are not allowed, and nor is the use of shared changing rooms. Showers may only be taken at home.
Contact-based roles
- Most people in contact-based roles will be allowed to perform their jobs again. This includes driving instructors, medical and paramedical professionals (dieticians, massage therapists, occupational therapists, prosthodontics, etc.), hair and beauty professionals (hairdressers, beauticians, pedicurists, etc.) and alternative medicine practitioners (acupuncturists, homeopaths, etc.).
- They should stay 1.5 metres apart from their clients wherever possible.
- They should see clients by appointment only and assess possible health risks beforehand together with the client.
Libraries
- Libraries will reopen to the public and take measures to ensure that library users can stay 1.5 metres apart.
Public transport
- Only use public transport if there is no alternative. Avoid rush hours and keep as far apart as possible.
- You are advised to wear a non-medical facemask on public transport. From 1 June this will be compulsory.
Facemasks
In some situations it is impossible to stay 1.5 metres apart. It will therefore be compulsory to wear non-medical facemasks on public transport from 1 June. To avoid scarcity, you should not wear facemasks intended for health professionals. People in contact-based roles can eliminate many risks by discussing health issues with clients beforehand. As a result, wearing a facemask will not be necessary during appointments, though everyone is of course free to do so.
Restrictions can only be lifted if the virus remains under control. People must continue to maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from others. Any decision to relax measures can and must be reversed if the circumstances change.
Expected measures from 1 June
If the virus remains under control, the following will be possible:
• secondary schools will reopen (the details still have to be worked out)
• cafés and restaurants may reopen outdoor seating areas as long as people can stay 1.5 metres apart
Cinemas, restaurants, cafés and cultural institutions (such as concert venues and theatres) will reopen, subject to certain conditions:
• a maximum of 30 people (including staff). People must be able to stay 1.5 metres apart
• visitors must reserve beforehand
• the owner will discuss with customers beforehand whether their visit entails risks
• museums and heritage sites will reopen. Visitors must buy tickets beforehand, to ensure people can stay 1.5 metres apart
Since public transport will probably become busier around 1 June, it will be more difficult to stay 1.5 metres apart. That is why everyone travelling on public transport will be required to wear a non-medical facemask.
Expected measures from 15 June
If we keep the virus under control, secondary vocational education (MBO) schools can reopen for exams and practical training. Plans are being drawn up for reopening MBO schools, institutions for higher professional education (HBO) and universities more fully at some point in the future.
Expected measures from 1 July
If we keep the virus under control, shared toilets and shower blocks at campsites and holiday parks can reopen on 1 July. The maximum number of visitors to cinemas, restaurants, cafés and cultural institutions can hopefully be increased to 100. This increase would also apply to the maximum number of participants at organised gatherings, such as church services, weddings, rehearsals and funerals.
Expected measures from 1 September
If the virus remains under control, gyms, saunas, health spas, club canteens, cannabis cafés, casinos and sex establishments will reopen. People of all ages will be allowed to take part in contact sports and indoor sports. Sports events, including professional football matches, can take place without spectators.
A decision regarding mass spectator events such as festivals and major concerts will be taken before 1 September.
Links to previous news articles regarding the Covid-19 virus can be found here:
DAE COVID-19 UPDATE #1 (Published: 27-Feb-2020)
DAE COVID-19 UPDATE #2 (Published: 09-Mar-2020)
DAE COVID-19 UPDATE #3 (Published: 13-Mar-2020)
DAE COVID-19 UPDATE #4 (Published: 20-Mar-2020)
DAE COVID-19 UPDATE #5 (Published: 26-Mar-2020)
DAE COVID-19 UPDATE #6 (Published: 01-Apr-2020)
DAE COVID-19 UPDATE #7 (Published: 24-Apr-2020)