The Rector of Palacký University Olomouc recommends that university employees and students who are returning from areas determined risky due to the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) coronavirus epidemic, or those who have been in direct contact with infected persons, stay home for a period of two weeks and not attend classes nor work at the university, even if there are currently no visible symptoms of the disease.
We are thus hereby recommending all faculty deans, directors of other university divisions and institutions, and employee supervisors during this crucial time to allow:
- Students, to whom the above applies, to be excused from classes, and
- Employees, to whom the above applies, to be allowed to work at home, if possible. In critical cases, to arrange work furloughs, to be considered as an impediment to work on behalf of the Employer, as established according to §208 of the Czech Labour Code.
In conjunction, the Rector of Palacký University is announcing a ban on work and study trips to risk areas (e.g. the People’s Republic of China, South Korea, Northern Italy). Workers and students who are returning from these areas must count on the necessity of being tested for this coronavirus and also on a 14-day home-quarantine.
The Rector of Palacký University furthermore does not recommend any students or employees to travel to countries affected by the virus, nor to those to which the Czech Ministry of Health or other ministries do not recommend travelling.
The Rector of Palacký University Olomouc recommends all faculty deans, directors of other university divisions and institutions, and employee supervisors not to recommend student study stays nor employee work stays in countries where there is an incidence of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).
In situations where employees have already planned trips abroad and have incurred deposits or fees, it is necessary to contact insurance agencies and individually resolve return of funds for trips not taken.
For reasons of prevention, the Rector of Palacký University Olomouc is hereby cancelling all classes of the University of the Third Age until further notice. All students and teachers of U3A courses will be informed of this via telephone or email.
The above measures and recommendations come into effect as of 3 March 2020 and will remain in effect until further notice.
Recommended webpages:
- What should you do if you have been in areas affected by the new coronavirus in the last 14 days? Read the recommendations on the Czech National Institute of Public Health webpages (in Czech).
- Are you getting ready to travel to infected areas? Read the recommendations of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in Czech).
- For the actual status and recommendations relating to the Olomouc Region, follow the webpages of the Olomouc Region Public Health Monitoring Station (in Czech).
- Other details can be found on the webpages of the World Health Organization.
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
- Italian Ministry of Health (in Italian)
- Italian Civil Protection Department (in Itailan and English)
If travelling to the affected country is absolutely inevitable for you, or if you have visited one of the affected regions in the past three weeks, we kindly ask you to inform the International Relations Office promptly by filling up the following questionnaire and via e-mail iro@upol.cz as well.
In case you are feeling sick with fever or cough or/and have severe respiratory problems after visiting the affected regions, do not visit any hospital or medical center, call the emergency line 112 directly.
Please find more information regarding prevention by clicking on the links provided below.
How is the new coronavirus transmitted?
Like other coronaviruses – such as the common cold – the COVID-19 is spread via droplets when a person coughs or sneezes.
It can also be spread when someone touches a contaminated surface such as a door handle or when people touch their mouth, nose or eyes with infected hands.
How can I protect myself from catching the new coronavirus?
Hand hygiene is the first and most effective way to protect yourself and others against COVID-19.
Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom and before eating
Other tips include:
Avoid close contact with people who are sick, recommended distance is at least 1 meter.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Carry an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with you to make frequent cleaning of hands easy.
- Carry disposable tissues with you and always cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze before disposing of the tissue carefully (catch it, bin it, kill it) cover your cough with the bend of elbow or tissue, not your hands!
- Be especially careful in busy airports and other public transport systems about touching things and then touching your face.
- Avoid shaking hands or cheek kissing if you suspect viruses are circulating, maintain a distance of at least 1 meter (3 feet) from people who are coughing or sneezing.
- Regularly clean, not just your hands, but commonly used surfaces and devices you touch or handle (mobile phone).
Prevention Steps for Close Contacts
If you have had close contact with someone who is confirmed to have, or being evaluated for, 2019-nCoV infection, you should:
- Monitor your health starting from the day you first had close contact with the person and continue for 14 days after you last had close contact with the person. Watch for these signs and symptoms:
- Fever. Take your temperature twice a day.
- Coughing.
- Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing.
- Other early symptoms to watch for are chills, body aches, sore throat, headache, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, and runny nose.
- If you develop fever or any of these symptoms, call your healthcare provider right away.
- Before going to your medical appointment, be sure to tell your healthcare provider about your close contact with someone who is confirmed to have, or being evaluated for, 2019-nCoV infection. This will help the healthcare provider’s office take steps to keep other people from getting infected. If you do not have any symptoms, you can continue with your daily activities, such as going to work, school, or other public areas.
Wear a facemask
You should wear a facemask if you discover any of the symptoms, when you visit a healthcare provider. If you cannot wear a facemask, the people who live with you should wear one while they are in the same room with you.
- If you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with suspected 2019-nCoV infection.
- Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
- If you wear a mask, then you must know how to use it and dispose of it properly.