COVID-19 – MEASURES AT JAMU

JAMU’s approach is based on information from Czech, European and world authorities, especially on information and recommendations of the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health. JAMU calls for calm and prevention, provides the following information and takes the following measures in order to reduce the risk of spreading the infection, in particular the risk for JAMU students and staff. The Rector’s measures implement, into the environment of JAMU, those of the measures of public authorities which are relevant to JAMU and its activities.

Current information about COVID-19 can be found also here: https://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/article/coronavirus-information-of-moi.aspx

Conditions for_entry of persons to the Czech territory

The basic common task of all of us is to take all steps available to ensure, to the greatest extent possible, an undisturbed course of educational, artistic and other creative activities in the academic year 2020/2021.

On the basis of Section 10(1) of the Higher Education Act and Article 67 of the Statutes of JAMU, the Rector decided on the following preventive measures:

Procedure in the event of symptoms or confirmation of a viral disease

Employees and students who show even mild symptoms consistent with COVID-19, especially body temperature of 37°C or higher, cough, dyspnoea, indigestion, loss of taste or smell or general weakness, shall report this to their general practitioner by means of remote communication and to JAMU by e-mail, in the case of the Theatre Faculty to the address dekan.difa@jamu.cz, in the case of the Faculty of Music to the address dekan.hf@jamu.cz and in other cases to the address rektor@jamu.cz. Please note that this is an obligation arising from Section 106(3) and (4) of the Labour Code for employees and, in conjunction with Section 391(4) of the Labour Code, also for students. In the case of suspicion of illness, an extraordinary (occupational) medical examination may be ordered pursuant to Section 12 of Decree No. 79/2013 Coll.

Persons with symptoms of an infectious viral disease shall seek medical help and must not enter the JAMU premises until a decision is made on their incapacity for work, isolation or quarantine. If possible, they shall fulfil their work or study duties from home (home office, teaching by electronic means, self-study), otherwise leave will be ordered to them.

The Dean or Rector will notify the Director of the Astorka Dormitory of employees and students with ordered quarantine or isolation and persons who have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2.

MEDICAL AID

General Practitioner for JAMU international students is:

MUDR. VĚRA SCHÖBLOVÁ

Lidická 42
Tel: +420 545 245 235 (doctor), +420 545 572 813 (nurse)
Website: https://mudr-vera-schoblova.modernilekar.cz/

Surgery hours:
Mon: 7:00 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Tue: 7:00 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Wed: 7:00 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Thu: 12:00 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Fri: 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
(Mon – Wed, Fri: 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. blood-taking)

Duties of Persons in Charge of JAMU Parts

Persons at the head of JAMU Parts:

1. take organisational measures to limit personal contact between persons to the necessary extent (by giving priority to written, electronic or telephone contact),
2. ensure that the following rules are complied with for meetings
   1. the convener of the meeting will explicitly instruct the participants that if they are not feeling well, they should not attend the meeting,
   2. the meeting convener creates a list of all participants of the meeting, which will be kept for 1 month. Contacts for participants who are not JAMU employees or students shall be provided,
   3. the spacing between the participants will be observed, including the chairs at least 2 m apart, if possible,
   4. air exchange in the room will be ensured (e.g. by regular ventilation or 100% air exchange (without recirculation) by means of air conditioning),
3.  will ensure
   1. increased cleanliness and sanitariness of workplaces,
   2. regular cleaning and disinfection of handle, door and table surfaces, armrests of chairs, telephones, keyboards, mice, taps, toilets including utility elements, soap and disinfectant dispensers and other frequently touched surfaces at least once a day,
   3. placement of the disinfectant detergent and soap dispenser next to the washbasins and their regular replenishment,
   4. location of the disinfectant dispenser at the entrance to the buildings,
   5. posting information leaflets sent by the rector at the entrances to the building, at washbasins and other suitable places,
   6. placement of a sufficient number of waste bins with a lid for discarding used handkerchiefs, masks, etc.,
   7. prioritisation of non-cash payments.

Restrictions on Entry to the JAMU Premises

The entry and personal presence of the public on the JAMU premises is prohibited, with the exception of the Rector’s Office. The public may enter the Rector’s Office only during office hours (see the Operating Restrictions) in order to arrange for urgent official matters. The register of visitors from the public is kept at the reception of the Rector’s Office.

The entry and personal presence of students on the JAMU premises is prohibited, except for participation in exams. The entry and personal presence of employees on the JAMU premises is prohibited, with the exception of the performance of work.

The entry and personal presence of persons with acute health problems corresponding to an infectious disease (e.g. fever, cough, dyspnoea, indigestion, loss of taste or smell, general weakness) on the JAMU premises  is prohibited without exception. Raised temperature means a body temperature of 37 °C or higher.

When entering the JAMU premises, persons are obliged to disinfect their hands and tolerate body temperature measurements with a non-contact thermometer, otherwise they will not be allowed to enter.

Operating Restrictions

Based on the crisis measure, the Rector decided on the following measures:

1. the head of the departments will limit the performance of work at JAMU workplaces, especially to the administrative work the performance of which must be unconditionally ensured on an ongoing basis; other administrative work is carried out to the extent that does not endanger the measures necessary to protect the health of JAMU employees and officials,
2. it is recommended to use a leave at maximum possible level,
3. personal contact of JAMU employees and addressees of its public administration (e.g. students, participants in admission procedure, habilitation and other proceedings) and other external persons (e.g. applicants for information) is limited to the necessary level, especially by preferring non-personal contact in all cases where possible,
4. limitation of the Rector’s and faculty’s office hours on Mondays and Wednesdays, always from 9:00 to 14:00 (office hours are the time for contact with participants, clients, applicants, etc.); this does not affect the working regime of JAMU employees set by their superiors,
5. the operation of individual departments is always ensured by the lowest possible number of employees present at the workplace that is necessary to maintain JAMU’s activities,
6. if possible, employees take turns so that any quarantine measures do not jeopardise JAMU’s ability to act – preferably so that only one employee is present in the room at a time (e.g. in the case of multi-seat offices, employees take turns in personal presence and others work from another place).

Crisis measures require employers to use telework if employees can perform it at the place of residence with respect to the nature of the work and the operating conditions.

Face Masks

The measure of the Ministry of Health prohibits movement and residence without “masks”, i.e. respiratory protective devices (nose, mouth) such as respirator, mask, mouthpiece, scarf, shawl or other means that prevent the spread of droplets, namely:

1. in all interiors of the buildings, apart for the residence or place of accommodation (e.g. a hotel room, a room in the halls of residence),
2. in public transport,
3. on the platform, in the shelter and waiting room of public transport,
4. in motor vehicles, unless there are only persons from one household in the motor vehicle,
5. at all other publicly accessible places in the built-up area of the municipality, where at least 2 persons less than 2 meters apart are present at the same place and at the same time, unless they are exclusively household members.

In exceptional cases, where it is necessary for a pupil or student to see the teacher’s mouth during a lesson, it is possible for the teacher to use a protective shield as a respiratory protective device, provided that he/she maintains a distance of at least 2 meters from pupils or students.

This prohibition does not apply, among others, to:

1. students and academic staff under the Act on Higher Education Institutions (not other JAMU employees) within the educational activity the nature of which does not allow the wearing of protective equipment (especially physical training, singing, playing wind instruments; please note that this is a rule of mandatory mask wearing, not an adjustment of the possibility of education at universities),
2. employees while working in one place, if such a person works at a distance of at least 2 meters from another person,
3. persons performing an author’s work (e.g. theatrical, dance or musical performance), lecturers and performers in the creation and production of an audiovisual work or programme (please note that this is a rule of mandatory mask wearing, not an adjustment of the possibility of education at universities),
4. moderators, editors and other persons appearing in radio, television and other programmes,
5. persons for the time strictly necessary to take their portrait photograph,
6. performing in an artistic performance without spectators at the place of performance of their own production and only for the duration of that production.

Receipt of documents and shipments

All documents and shipments are accepted exclusively at filing offices, electronic submission is preferred.

Admission procedure

In addition to the regulation in the Act on Higher Education Institutions  and Art. 14 and et seq. of JAMU Statute also special rules specified in Section 3 and Section 4 of Act No. 188/2020 Coll. shall apply, under which JAMU may:

1. set a new date for verifying the fulfilment of the conditions for admission to study (e.g. entrance exams), which will be published 15 days before the day of its holding,
2. use distance forms of verification of compliance with the conditions of admission to study,
3. re-establish the conditions of admission to study, if it is not possible to verify the fulfilment of the conditions of admission to study according to the original conditions; the newly established conditions shall be published no later than 15 days before the date of verification.

Study in the Academic Year 2020/2021

The government’s crisis measure for the period from 27 December 2020 is from 0:00 am to 10 January 2021 until 23:59 pm:

1. prohibits the students‘ personal presence in tuition during university studies and in examinations during university studies if more than 10 people take part in the examination at the same time; if the examination is public by law, no more than 3 other members of the public may be present. This prohibition does not apply, among others,
   1. to the participation of students performing pedagogical practical teaching and practical training in kindergartens, primary and secondary schools or school facilities for the performance of institutional and protective education,

 

1. limits the operation of universities so that singing is not a part of education and sports activities are not included, with the exception of study programmes in which singing or sports activity is a key part of an accredited study programme.

In 2020, in addition to the regulation in the Act on Higher Education Institutions and the JAMU internal regulations (see JAMU LIST), the course of study is also governed by special rules in Section 5 and Section 6 of Act No. 188/2020 Coll. Therefore, it is possible for a period when personal presence at a university is limited on the basis of a measure adopted pursuant to another law, even in the cases where it would not be possible according to the Act on Higher Education Institutions and JAMU internal regulations (especially the Study and Examination Regulations ), that: 

1. the state examinations prescribed at the end of the study and the defence of the dissertation were performed under distance conditions and in private, under the conditions stipulated by law,
2. the student fulfilled the examination and other study obligations and conditions that he/she must meet during the study in the study programme, and JAMU verified them remotely,
3. JAMU used distance learning tools.

The current possibilities of distance fulfilment of duties and conditions and distance learning are not affected in any way.

The study period from 1 March 2020 to 31 August 2020, according to Section 2 of Act No. 188/2020 Coll. with effect from 24 April 2020, shall not be included in the period of study for the purposes of determining the fee for longer study and the maximum period of study. The period for which a “social scholarship entitlement” is awarded is extended by the same period. The period of study interruption at the specified time is not included in the total period of study interruption upon request.

Restrictions on Free Movement

From 27 December 2020 from 0:00 to 10 January 2021 to 23:59, the crisis measure, among others,

1. restricts free movement of persons on the territory of the Czech Republic, with the exception of trips to work and the performance of duties of a public official (members of JAMU bodies, JAMU faculty bodies, JAMU vice-rectors and vice-deans of JAMU faculties), trips to arrange for urgent official matters, trips for participation in education including traineeships and examinations and back to the place of residence; in the time from 21:00 to 4:59, the range of exceptions is narrowed,
2. orders to restrict movement in publicly accessible places to the time strictly necessary and to stay in one’s place of residence, with the exceptions (including the exceptions mentioned in sub. 1 and with the exception arising from the limits of restrictions on students‘ personal participation in studies – see above),
3. orders to restrict contact with other persons to the extent necessary,
4. orders to stay in publicly accessible places in maximum number of 2 people and to maintain a distance of at least 2 meters when in contact with other people, if possible. An exception from the restriction of the number of 2 persons is provided, among others, for
   1. employees performing work for the same employer,
   2. persons who jointly perform activities to which they are obliged by law, and these activities must be carried out in a larger number of persons (e.g. members of JAMU collective bodies within the limits set by law and the relevant rules of procedure),
   3. students in the provision of education (for restrictions, see above in the section Study in the Academic Year 2020/2021),
5. prohibits drinking alcoholic beverages in public places.

Restrictions on Mass Actions

From 27 December 2020 from 0:00 to 10 January 2021 to 23:59:, the crisis measure

1. restricts the free movement of persons so that, with a few exceptions, a maximum of 2 people can stay in publicly accessible places (see above) and thus the possibility of holding mass events is limited (this does not apply, for example, to meetings attended only by JAMU employees; this does not affect the obligation to limit personal contacts to a minimum),
2. particularly prohibits, among others
   1. concerts and other musical, theatrical, film and other artistic performances (performances may not be held or rehearsed at JAMU even without spectators),
   2. congresses, educational events and examinations in full-time form (this prohibition does not apply to university studies to a non-prohibited extent),
   3. operation and use of sports grounds in the interiors of buildings (e.g. gyms) with the exception of, among other things, sports activities in universities, to the extent that crisis measures allow it (see above in the section Study in the Academic Year 2020/2021).

In agreement with the Deans, the Rector observes that until 10 January 2021, 23:59, according to the government’s crisis measures, mass events (including conferences, concerts and theatre performances) may not be held at JAMU.

Library

The Library is closed for the public.

From 27 December 2020, from 0:00 to 10 January 2021 to 23:59, the government’s crisis measure restricts the operation of the Library by prohibiting the issuance of book loans and their returns other than contactlessly. Please note that the visit of the Library is only possible on the basis of some of the exceptions to the restrictions on the free movement of persons (e.g. exercise of a profession, especially for academic workers, persons accommodated in the halls of residence, travel for the purpose of participating in education). Information on the library’s opening hours can be found on its website.

Publishing House

The store in the Publishing House is closed. Books are sold only through the e-shop, ordered publications are sent through the postal service provider.

Astorka

Hotel operation of the Astorka halls of residence is prohibited. The provision of accommodation services is prohibited, with the exception of the provision of accommodation services:

1. foreigners whose studies have been terminated until leaving the territory of the Czech Republic and foreigners with a work permit in the territory of the Czech Republic,
2. persons for the purpose of completing accommodation started before 22 October 2020 at 6:00,
3. JAMU students and employees who have been ordered isolation or quarantine,
4. students who can take part in education (see above) .

Students accommodated in the JAMU halls of residence are strongly advised to observe all hygienic measures and minimise social contacts with other accommodated persons – only in this way we will be able to prevent a possible order of isolation or quarantine for the entire halls of residence or JAMU. A student who has been ordered isolation or quarantine or his/her result of the test for SARS-COV-2 is positive will immediately report this fact to the relevant faculty and director of the halls of residence.

The director of the halls of residence is instructed to establish and maintain an adequate capacity reserve for the accommodated who have a reasonable suspicion of becoming ill with SARS-CoV-2, or have become ill with SARS-CoV-2 and cannot leave the halls of residence for serious reasons.

The following rules are observed in Astorka:

1. customers are encouraged by information materials to keep a distance of 2 meters and to pay preferably with a payment card,
2. at the entrance to the premises of the accommodation facility and in the toilets, the possibility of hand disinfection for customers is provided,
3. the areas in contact with the hand are disinfected regularly,
4. customer information materials are available explaining the anti-epidemic measures in place,
5. before the exceptional accommodation of a new person, all contact areas, objects used by guests (e.g. telephone, TV remote control), bathroom and toilet are disinfected in the room.

The Rector urges accommodated students who have a different residence in the Czech Republic, if possible, in accordance with the crisis measure, to leave the ASTORKA  halls of residence and not return to the hall of residence until further notice.

The amount of the residence fee does not change for students staying in the halls of residence. The residence fee of the students who have left the halls of residence will be forgiven for the month of November in the amount exceeding CZK 1,000. The residence fee will not be forgiven for the month of December and must be paid in the agreed amount.

Business Trips

Employees are sent on domestic business trips only when necessary. 

It is forbidden without the consent of the Rector to:

1. send employees on a business trip abroad to countries other than low-risk countries,
2. order (even on request) a leave outside the territory of the Czech Republic in a country other than a low-risk country,
3. send a student, graduate or employee to Erasmus+ or another study stay or similar stay outside the territory of the Czech Republic in a country other than a low-risk country.

A list of countries or their parts with a low risk of SARS-CoV-2 is available on the website of the Ministry of Health.

For direct flights from all airports in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland with passengers on board the aircraft to all airports in the Czech Republic, the restrictions specified in the protection measure available on the website of the Ministry of Healthapply.

Crossing the State Border

On the website of the Ministry of Health, you can find a protective measure governing the crossing of state borders and related obligations and a list of countries or their parts with a low risk of SARS-CoV-2 disease (hereinafter only referred to as the “list of low-risk countries”).

JAMU is obliged to ensure for foreigners who entered the territory of the Czech Republic after 1 July 2020 and who were accepted for the purpose of economic activity or educational activities, the following:

1. a) accommodation for the entire period of their stay in the territory of the Czech Republic, including the place where the quarantine measure will be carried out in the event of its order by the public health protection authority,
2. b) health care or a registering provider of health services for the entire period of their stay in the Czech Republic,
3. c) reimbursement of health care, unless otherwise provided; this does not apply in the case of foreigners with a long-term residence permit,
4. d) return to the country of origin in the event of loss of the purpose of stay in the Czech Republic, unless otherwise provided; this does not apply in the case of foreigners with a long-term residence permit.

Staff and students who are:

1. nationals of countries that are not on the list of countries at low risk of COVID-19 (hereinafter referred to as the “list of low-risk countries”), or
2. nationals of countries with asterisk on the list of low-risk countries who have resided for more than 12 hours in the last 14 days in the territory of those countries,

are prohibited to enter the buildings as well as all other JAMU establishments and workplaces by the protective measure of the Ministry of Health.

This does not apply to:

1. “commuters”, i.e. cross-border workers and students who, for the purpose of performing work or education, regularly and at least once a week rightfully cross the state border with the Czech Republic to or from a neighbouring state, and also
2. persons who simultaneously with the entry submit to JAMU a negative result of the RT-PCR test for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 from the territory of the Czech Republic, or a test performed abroad meeting the conditions set by the protective measure of the Ministry of Health.

Persons in charge of JAMU parts shall ensure compliance with JAMU obligations under the above-mentioned protective measure and shall inform on the obligation to submit a negative result of the RT-PCR test for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in an appropriate manner at all entrances to JAMU buildings.

Repeal of Previous Measures

The Rector repeals his previous measures to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2.