What to expect when arriving and while in the AUC building
Coronavirus measures being taken in your country may be very different from the Dutch approach. The Dutch government's strategy is based on individual responsibility and accountability. However, everyone in the Netherlands is expected to abide by and respect these protocols in order to protect the health and safety of yourself and your community. These measures may affect your daily routine, may alter the way academic courses proceed and will also have an impact on the accessibility of the AUC building and general life on campus. On this page, you will find an explanation of the basic rules in place by AUC, the UvA and Dutch government and what you can expect when you arrive on campus.
Last updated: 27 September 2021
The measures implemented as a result of the coronavirus pandemic continue to have an impact on all members of the AUC community as well as the nation as a whole. An overview of all measures per sector can be found on the Dutch government's official website. The information below highlights the most relevant updates for the AUC community.
On 14 September, the Dutch government announced that from 25 September, we no longer have to stay 1.5 metres from others. This is a major step forward not only for education but for all sectors impacted by the pandemic. Specifically for those coming to the AUC building, this means that from 25 September:
As we are all adjusting to on-campus education with fewer restrictions, it will be even more important for us to show consideration and understanding for each other. We also kindly ask that you keep the following in mind even after 25 September:
Current AUC students should continue to check their email and monitor announcements on the Student Information Canvas environment for more information and relevant updates.
Like our fellow universities and colleges, we underline the importance of vaccinations and support the VSNU campaign ‘Ga je studeren? Laat je vaccineren!’ ('Off to university? Get vaccinated!’).
Dutch students and faculty (and residents of the Netherlands with a BSN number) can find more information about getting vaccinated on the Dutch government's website here.
The Public Health Service of Amsterdam (GGD) is offering students who would like to receive a COVID-19 vaccination the chance to do so for free without an appointment at Amsterdam RAI. For the RAI, you simply need to show up at the location listed below during opening hours.
You do not need to have a BSN number to be vaccinated at this location. If you don't have a BSN number, an anonymous BSN number will be used. Additionally, the GGD will not share any information with the IND (immigration services) or other authorities.
You don't need to make an appointment in advance, and when you arrive, you will be able to choose between receiving a Pfizer or Janssen vaccine. If you choose the Pfizer vaccine, you will receive a second vaccination a couple of weeks after the first.
The Public Health Service of Amsterdam has made it their goal to ensure that all those who want to receive a vaccine have access to one. You can view more information on their website via the link below.
Is this your first vaccination?
You do not need to make an appointment for either the campus vaccination unit or for the RAI Amsterdam location.
Is this the second time you are going to get a vaccine?
You do have to make an appointment. The Amsterdam Municipal Health Service (GGD) has set up a special appointment hotline for international students: (+31) 020 5555 202. You can also send an email to coronavragen@ggd.amsterdam.nl.
All registered students and staff members employed at AUC are eligible for free COVID-19 self-tests. Going forward, self-testing will remain important. Along with the UvA, we're encouraging every student and staff member to perform a self-test at least twice a week, even if vaccinated. These tests can be ordered free of charge at zelftestonderwijs.nl. Self-testing and vaccinations allow us all to contribute to a safe campus and the further easing of measures in the education system.
From 26 June 2021 facemasks are required on public transport and other passenger transport, at stations and airports and in secondary schools and when arriving at university buildings. You must wear a face mask even if you have been vaccinated. When travelling by public transport, taxi, coach or car, a non-medical face mask that does not have a filter and is made of a material such as cotton is enough. These types of face masks are sold in places like supermarkets and pharmacies.
Please note that you may not use a scarf, face shield/visor, bandanna, the collar of a jacket, or a non-medical face mask made from a sock, for instance. Gas masks should also not be used.
Are you travelling by bus? Then you are asked to board via the back door and check-in. This reduces the number of contact moments between travellers and bus drivers. Getting in the back means that you cannot buy a single ticket from the bus driver. However, it is the intention that you have a valid ticket in your pocket. Therefore, travel as much as possible with the OV chip card.
At airports, it may not always be possible to stay 1.5 metres from others at peak periods or during security checks. So airports are asking travellers to wear non-medical face masks at check-in, security and when boarding, for instance. Additionally, all passengers aged 13 and above travelling to and from Dutch airports must fill in a Health Screening Form. The airline you are flying with will provide you with a Health Screening Form.
Everyone aged 13 or over is advised to wear facemask in indoor public spaces such as:
Until 1 November, generally speaking, if you do not have class in the AUC building, you should not visit the building. While there are limited study spaces available for student use, you should not be in the building for longer than necessary. Furthermore, AUC staff members should continue to work from home unless it is essential to be on campus (teaching a class, for example). It is expected that you leave the building following your class or reason for being on campus.
Update: 31 August 2021
The AUC academic building (Science Park 113) is open during the following hours:
The ventilation system of the AUC building meets all requirements in line with providing a safe work environment. The UvA (which manages the AUC building) has made sure that the ventilation systems in their buildings (including AUC) are up to code, have regular maintenance and meet the RIVM guidelines. They have also taken additional steps to optimise ventilation, such as switching off the central recirculation of the air-treatment system at the building level and prioritising ventilation over heating and cooling systems. Please note that mobile air-conditioning units and table fans are not allowed, as they can cause a direct flow of air from one person to another. It is allowed to open a window in the academic building to allow for even more fresh air from outside and this will not adversely affect the ventilation.
All visitors in the AUC building are strongly encouraged to take the stairs unless using the lifts is absolutely necessary. If using a lift, only one person should be inside at a time and priority will be given to those who cannot use the stairs.
The canteen in the AUC Common Room is open during the semester, but opening times and range of items are limited. All students and staff are encouraged to take their refreshments outside or to take them home and not to linger in the building if at all possible.
Both staff and students are encouraged to make full use of the grounds for activities, including classes and meetings, when possible and weather-permitting. Please note that even when outdoors, the basic guidelines still apply.
Hand sanitisation stations are available for staff and students at all entrances and near the toilets. All students and staff should sanitise/wash their hands regularly and thoroughly. In classrooms, there are paper towels and disinfectant spray that staff and students can use to sanitise their table/chair.
All bathrooms in the AUC building have been made gender-neutral and the initial entry doors removed. This was done in order to make it easier to maintain distance when entering and exiting bathrooms, and to reduce the number of surfaces visitors need to touch. Please note that the doors to the stalls remain; just the main entry door has been removed.
Extra cleaning of common areas and frequently touched surfaces will take place throughout the day. Special attention will be given to all doors, handles, handrails and other surfaces that multiple students or visitors may touch in shared spaces.
When visiting the AUC building, students and staff should remember to respect the hygiene guidelines for all people in the Netherlands (wash your hands often, cough and sneeze into your elbow, use paper tissues to blow your nose and discard them after use, and no handshaking) and may also wish to bring their own hand sanitiser and/or disinfectant wipes to clean any surfaces or spaces before use.
Generally speaking, self-quarantining means that you do not leave your house, receive visitors, travel to other locations, use public transport or come into contact with others during a certain period of time. Under the current coronavirus measures, a period of 10 days is recommended. If you don't develop symptoms that could be caused by the coronavirus within those 10 days, you can end the self-quarantine after that time. If you get tested on day 5 you might be able to shorten the quarantine period.
The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has labelled each country in the world with so-called travel advice. That travel advice indicates whether or not you are advised to self-quarantine after arriving in the Netherlands from that country. Unfortunately, the page where you can check the travel advice is only available in Dutch. You can check if you need to self-quarantine by entering the country you're travelling from in the ‘Voer hier uw land of gebied’ in section.
It does not matter whether a country already had an orange travel advisory when you arrived there or this changed during your stay. In both cases, you must self-quarantine for 10 days after arriving in the Netherlands. If a country has an orange travel advisory for reasons other than health, you do not need to self-quarantine.
If you develop symptoms that are in line with those of coronavirus, you are urgently advised to self-quarantine and get tested. If you test positive for coronavirus, you and anyone else you live with should stay at home for 10 days.
If you live with other people who display symptoms of coronavirus, you should all get tested for coronavirus. Everyone should stay at home until all the results have been received. None of you should go to work or school, for instance, and you should ask other people to do grocery shopping or walk the dog for you. If the results come back negative for everyone, all members of the household can go out again.
If one person in the household tests positive, the whole household must quarantine for 10 days, even those who have no have symptoms. Those without symptoms can briefly go out to do grocery shopping. This is called ‘household quarantine’.
If you're sharing a room with someone who is self-quarantining, you can also contact the Amsterdam Public Health Service (GGD) for advice by calling 020 555 5202 from Monday to Friday between 09.00 and 20.00, and from Saturday to Sunday between 10.00-20.00. You can also contact them by email at coronavragen@ggd.amsterdam.nl.
When you are advised to self-quarantine, you cannot come to classes or the AUC building. This is important for AUC staff to know.
You can check who is advised to quarantine upon arriving in the Netherlands on the Dutch government's website.
If you are travelling from one of the countries for which it is advised to quarantine or you have symptoms (or have been in contact with someone who may have symptoms), this means that for the first 10 days:
If you get tested on day 5 you might be able to shorten the quarantine period. You can find more information on the Dutch government's website here.
We understand that you may have some reservations or questions on how you are supposed to quarantine (if applicable) when moving into the dorms or returning to the dorms. If you are living in a single room, these measures are less complicated than if you're living in a shared room. For some general information on DUWO’s policy on quarantining, please view the DUWO website.
If receiving deliveries in the dorms, please be careful about the security doors in the dorms. While you can let people into the mail area, the delivery person may not be able to get to your room. When quarantining, you should not leave your room to open the doors to the building. This means that you should coordinate with a neighbour or fellow student that deliveries go to their room first and that they can leave any deliveries in front of your doorstep
If you are living in a shared room, we suggest that you reach out to your roommate beforehand to make arrangements for returning and quarantining, as you would have to avoid any contact with them during the 10 day quarantine period.
Below you will find some of the tips that we've shared with our students regarding sharing a room when one must quarantine during the coronavirus:
Please note that the above also applies to anyone who was informed through contact tracing or otherwise that they should self-isolate due to a potential risk of infection.
If you develop symptoms of a common cold or slight temperature, get tested, stay at home, do not go outside and avoid social contacts until the test results are known.
If the result of the test is negative, you can end your self-quarantine.
If you test positive for COVID-19, please follow all of the official medical advice that is given to you by your doctors or medical staff. You are also kindly requested to inform AUC directly by emailing Prof. Martin van Hees and the College Secretary via collegesecretary@auc.nl. AUC will treat your case confidentially and will not do anything with (nor disclose) any information you provide without your consent. Any informing of close contacts of a confirmed case will be done anonymously, and only after AUC is instructed to do so by the GGD.
If you test positive for COVID-19, you need to continue self-isolating and inform your close contacts that they need to self-quarantine in case you have infected them. Follow the advice of the GGD or your doctors with regard to when you can end your self-isolation once you have recovered. Usually, once you have been completely free of symptoms for at least 24 hours and it is at least seven days since you fell ill, you should not be contagious anymore.
If you are too sick to participate in online educational activities for any reason (including common things such as nausea or stomach bugs), please report this to your tutor and your teachers.