The measures against the corona virus are also falling in Swiss universities. Only at the University of Zurich and at the ETH is there a general obligation to wear masks.
the essentials in brief
- The corona measures have also fallen at Swiss universities.
- Many places are now back to normal, except at the University of Zurich and the ETH.
- It is only there that masks are still compulsory in most indoor areas and in lectures.
With the Federal Council’s decision last Wednesday, most of the corona measures in Switzerland have been taken – including at the universities. Most universities therefore also lift certificate controls and the obligation to wear masks at the beginning of the spring semester on Monday.
Not so the ETH and the University of Zurich. The students of the two Zurich universities are almost the only ones who still have to wear a mask in many indoor areas and in lectures.
Nevertheless, the measures against the corona virus are being relaxed at ETH. The employees can return from the home office, there is no longer a certificate requirement, the mask requirement is reduced.
“ETH is deliberately remaining more cautious when it comes to relaxing the rules. This is to avoid frequent cases of illness and to better protect vulnerable people,” writes the university. “Therefore, there is still a general obligation to wear masks inside the ETH.”
Students against the general obligation to wear masks
The students are not happy about it. At the request of Nau.ch, the student association VSETH explains: “We do not support the general obligation to wear masks and believe that this goes too far.” However, the association understands the obligation to wear masks in courses, as this protects vulnerable people from corona.
A.*, who studies at ETH, also thinks it’s a shame that he still has to wear a mask. However, he can understand the point of view of the university as a scientific institution to some extent.
“Nevertheless, it would have been appropriate to act uniformly among the universities,” he says to Nau.ch.
Mask against the corona virus remains for the time being
According to the ETH, however, the general mask requirement has “important exceptions that should make it easier to return to the campus”. For example, a mask no longer has to be worn at the workplace with a minimum distance of 1.5 meters to the person sitting next to you. Even
In the lectures, however, the mask against the corona virus will probably remain in place for a longer time. On request, the ETH said: “These rules will apply until further notice, probably until the Federal Council also lifts the obligation to wear a mask in public transport.”
Do you understand the measures taken by ETH?
35%
Yes, vulnerable people must continue to be protected. –
1
Yes, vulnerable people must continue to be protected. –
65%
No, the mask requirement should be lifted. –
2
No, the mask requirement should be lifted. –
It sounds similar at the University of Zurich (UZH). Masks are compulsory in lectures until the Easter break in mid-April. The reasoning behind this: You don’t want to put vulnerable people at a disadvantage.
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