Communication regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Recent outbreaks of COVID-19 (the coronavirus disease) have generated concerns, especially
in an internationally mobile community like ours. Please be informed that we are constantly
monitoring updates from the Dutch health authorities and are in close contact with
our main campus in St. Louis and the other international Webster campuses.
PLEASE READ ALL UPDATED INFORMATION ON: http://www.legacy.webster.nl/covid_19_coronavirus_resources_safety_faq.html
The Netherlands:
The Dutch National Institute for Health and the Environment (RIVM, https://www.rivm.nl/en) is reiterating that although there is no need for alarm, there are important hygiene measures every citizen should take to contain the spread of the infection.
Important hygiene measures to take to prevent the spread of the virus are:
- Wash hands regularly
- Cough and sneeze using paper handkerchiefs.
The following (short) videos by the World Health Organization (WHO) provide practical
guidance.
Posters have been put up in several places on campus to remind everyone of the importance of implementing these hygiene measures.
Contacting General Practitioner (Huisarts):
In the following two cases, anyone who is experiencing general flu-like symptoms,
or acute respiratory symptoms should immediately contact his local doctor (General
Practitioner, ‘Huisarts') for further advice:
1) experiencing general flu-like symptoms, or acute respiratory symptoms and had recent contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case
2) experiencing general flu-like symptoms, or acute respiratory symptoms and has been in a region with “presumed community transmission”, as designated by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDP): China, Hong Kong, Iran, Italy (Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, Piedmont, Veneto), Japan, Singapore, South Korea. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention raised their Travel Alert Level 2 for Italy to a Travel Warning Level 3 – Avoid All Nonessential Travel (its highest level). The U.S. Department of State also increased their Travel Advisory for Italy from a Level 2 to a Level 3 – Reconsider Travel. Because of the change in the CDC level and according to our Travel Advisory protocols, and with the safety of our students, faculty and staff in mind, the decision has been made to restrict all Webster-sponsored travel to Italy through Spring Semester. For regular updates please consult the ECDP website: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/areas-presumed-community-transmission-2019-ncov.
In the Dutch health care system, it is the General Practitioner who decides whether there is a need for a person to be tested by the RIVM. If students are not yet registered with a local doctor, we advise them to do this as soon as possible.
We will continue to monitor this dynamic situation and provide updates as information comes to hand and further decisions are made.
Communication regarding Spring Break and COVID-19 (Coronavirus)Next week is Spring Break and you may have plans to travel. Recently we informed you
about the outbreak COVID-19 (the coronavirus disease) and we suggested to regularly
visit our website for updates and more information about COVID-19. For the upcoming
Spring Break, we advise you not to travel to a region that is considered a region with “presumed
community transmission”. These regions are, at this point in time, China, Hong Kong, Iran, Italy (Emilia-Romagna,
Lombardy, Piedmont, Veneto), Japan, Singapore and South Korea. Please be aware that
with the safety of our students, faculty and staff in mind, Webster University recently
decided to restrict all Webster-sponsored travel to Italy through Spring Semester.
These regions are designated by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
For regular updates please consult the ECDP website:
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/current-risk-assessment-novel-coronavirus-situation
If you nevertheless decide to travel to a region with “presumed community transmission”,
we would like to ask you to self-report to our Student Service Coordinator, Christine
Benninger (by e-mail or in person), so that we will be in a better position to monitor
the situation. We are requesting self-reporting in the interest of the health and
safety of our students, faculty and staff and the wider Webster community.
Communication relating to COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease)
Dear Webster Leiden community,
Today we have decided to move all classes at the Webster Leiden Campus to an online environment, starting March 16 through April 3.
We are taking this decision since the health and safety of ours students, faculty and staff is our first concern. At this point in time, and as far as we know, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 among members of our Webster Leiden community. However, we are taking this decision to improve the climate for public health amid concerns about the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Please be aware that, until further notice, staff will still be present at our campus as much as possible and therefore we will continue serving our students. Where possible and needed, some staff members will be working remotely.
The dates for transitioning courses back to in-person instruction are subject to change in collaboration with local public health authorities and as conditions are re-evaluated.
The Webster Leiden Campus buildings, including the library, will remain open. However, all events scheduled through April 3 on the Webster Leiden Campus will be postponed or canceled.
This level of caution is necessary to safeguard our students, faculty and staff during this unprecedented time.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely and recommend other policies that will improve safety and enable educational continuity for the Webster Leiden community.
By working together, calmly and reasonably, we will weather this threat and continue our educational mission.
Helpful links:
Rivm:https://www.rivm.nl/en/novel-coronavirus
Webster University St. Louis: http://news.webster.edu/global/2020/president-message-coronavirus-global-operations.html
Webster University St. Louis:http://news.webster.edu/global/2020/president-message-coronavirus-travel-update-china-south-korea.html
Webster University St. Louis:http://www.webster.edu/academic-affairs/division-of-global-education/coronavirus.html
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control- https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-events/ecdc-statement-rapid-increase-covid-19-cases-italy
Centers for Disease Control Travel Notice for Italy- https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/watch/coronavirus-italy
World Health Organization-http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/health-emergencies/coronavirus-covid-19