UT coronavirus info and updates
Coronavirus continues to spread in Estonia and globally and acting responsibly is still the best way to prevent it. We want the academic year at the University of Tartu to continue as smoothly as possible.
Below, we have gathered some recommendations and advice on how to act considerately in the circumstances of the spread of the virus. Some of the most important recommendations:
- The Rector's Office makes decisions about teaching and studies in the spring semester for one month at a time – for each month, by the middle of the previous month. In February and March teaching will be largely conducted online. However, we are trying to gradually move towards greater openness. Read more about teaching and studies in February and March.
- if possible, work from home;
- maintain distance with other people in the work and study environment and comply with hygiene rules to reduce the likelihood of the virus spreading;
- masks must be worn in all study buildings of the university, including in the hallways, everyone is responsible for ensuring they have a face mask to wear;
- avoid unnecessary contacts and crowded gatherings both during and outside working hours, for example meetings with numerous participants, including people from other units, as well as gatherings in the corridors of the academic buildings;
- stay home even with mild symptoms of a viral disease;
- lets's use hoia.me app. HOIA mobile app allows rapid notification of a possible close contact with a COVID-19 virus carrier and is safe to use;
- keep your contact information updated because in cooperation with the Health Board, the university informs its members of possible close contacts with infected persons by phone and email;
- when returning from countries with a high coronavirus infection rate, follow the restrictions on freedom of movement requirements laid down by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Organisation of studies
- The Rector's Office makes decisions about teaching and studies in the spring semester for one month at a time – for each month, by the middle of the previous month.
- In February and March teaching will be largely conducted online. However, we are trying to gradually move towards greater openness. Read more about teaching and studies in February and March.
- Have a look at general wisdom on e-learning and a few lessons from last spring.
- All changes are immediately communicated to students and made available in the SIS.
- In case of physical gathering, participants must strictly follow distancing measures and wear masks both during practical classes, exams and pass/fail exams, as well as during entering and leaving the building.
- If you have a question about the organisation of studies, submit it here.
Organisation of work
- The government has started preparing for the vaccination of education staff, and the University of Tartu has sent the total number of employees of the university to the Ministry of Education and Research. We do not know yet when the vaccination of the university employees starts, but as soon as more information is available, the university will notify its staff members. Read more on the university's intranet.
- Until 7 March 2021, work remotely if at all possible. Heads of units and employees will cooperate to find solutions that consider the interests of both the university and the employee and ensure a safe working environment for all.
- Electronic means for participating in meetings must be created for employees working remotely.
- Masks must be worn in all study buildings of the university, including in the hallways. Employees are not required to wear a mask in rooms accessible to employees only. Everyone is responsible for ensuring they have a face mask to wear.
- If necessary, separate safe workstations must be set up for positions that require contacts with customers and people outside their unit.
- Prefer paperless procedures and forward documents via electronic channels.
- Read more detailed guidelines for organisation of work in the context of COVID-19 on the university's intranet.
Organisation of public events
Considering the current epidemiological situation in Estonia, we are asking everyone to cancel all social and recreational events and hobby activities (e.g. choir rehearsals) on the university's premises. If necessary, organise events online.
Travelling
If you travelled abroad, make sure to consult the web page of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the for the movement restrictions for people arriving in Estonia. As the epidemiological situation changes rapidly, plan all trips abroad with the consideration that you might be subject to movement restrictions when returning to Estonia.
Possible infection
- If you suspect infection with coronavirus, call your family doctor or the family doctor’s advice line 1220 for advice. Do not go to the family doctor’s office.
- To prevent further spread of the virus, stay at home while waiting for the test results and when tested positive.
- Information about a person being infected with COVID-19 is sensitive personal data and must not be forwarded, except with the person’s consent. Nevertheless, employees and students are encouraged to inform the university if they turn out to be virus carriers and close contacts of a virus carrier. Rapid exchange of information helps us prevent the spread of the virus, reduce confusion resulting from the lack of information and help the Health Board.
- If an employee turns out to be a virus carrier or a close contact, we strongly recommend informing his or her immediate supervisor or the academic secretary,who is the contact person of the Health Board at the university. It would be very welcome if employees also inform their colleagues and possible close contacts.
- If a student turns out to be a virus carrier or a close contact, we strongly recommend him or her to inform either
- the academic affairs specialist ,
- the programme director,
- the head of the institute, or
- especially in the evening and on weekends – the academic secretary of the university, Tõnis Karki (529 7917, tonis.karki [ät] ut.ee).
- Before you notify the university, think when the first symptoms appeared. Also, think back to the two days before the appearance of symptoms and try to remember when you participated in classes and in which rooms you were. If you have no symptoms but have given a positive test, think back to your movements in the two days before you gave the positive test.In this way the univeristy can trace the possible close contacts and inform them of the need to self-isolate.
- After that, the academic secretary, the unit and the Health Board together decide which measures must be taken in the organisation of studies as well as in the study and work environment.
Important terms
- A virus carrier is a person who has tested positive for COVID-19. Virus carriers must not leave their place of residence starting from receiving the diagnosis until confirmed recovered.
- A close contact of a virus carrier is a person who has been in the same room with a virus carrier for more than 15 minutes and closer than two metres. All close contacts must stay in self-isolation for 14 days, even if they do not have any symptoms. The Health Board is responsible for identifying and notifying close contacts.
Contact information
Tõnis Karki, Academic Secretary of University of Tartu, contact person of the Health Board at the University of Tartu, 529 7917, tonis.karki [ät] ut.ee
Viivika Eljand-Kärp, Head of Communication of University of Tartu, 5354 0689, viivika.eljand-karp [ät] ut.ee
National coronavirus helpline: 1247 (+372 600 1247 for calls from abroad)
State website on COVID-19: www.kriis.ee /en
Health Board’s website: www.terviseamet.ee/en
ERR News regularly updated webpage with relevant information: Coronavirus in Estonia: All you need to know