Coronavirus Update

Where is the latest information about the Covid-19 situation in Switzerland?
The latest information on the situation in Switzerland is available on the website of the Federal Office of Public Health.

What measures has EHL put in place to ensure the safety and well-being of its community?

The following special measures are implemented at EHL Lausanne to protect the entire EHL Community and external visitors on campus:

• A limited number of people will be allowed admission to the campus at one time in order to ensure appropriate distancing and sanitary measures. Restrictions apply to external visitors and a security check is performed at the entrance to control the number of people present on site;
• Health check at the campus entrance required for all people entering the campus;
• Intensified cleaning schedule throughout the campus and residences;
• Use of disinfectant for handrails and door handles, and higher frequency for waste removal with systematic disinfection of the bins;
• Procedure for the identification and care for people infected;
• Quarantine plan validated by the Cantonal Medical Office ready should a case be identified or the need arise;
• Reinforced EHL health service team to ensure that all questions or concerns can be addressed efficiently;
• Signage posted around campus to ensure compliance to hygiene and sanitary recommendations and distancing, including:
  • markings to ensure a smooth flow of people throughout campus
  • posters and announcement reminders of hygiene measures
  • instructions and capacity information for use of classrooms, meeting rooms, or other closed spaces
  • instructions and staggered seating implemented for all Food & Beverage outlets, study spaces, and classrooms to ensure appropriate distances
• Sanitization stations set up in all public areas, near classrooms, meeting rooms, and offices with appropriate material to disinfect hands and any areas used so that the space is left clean and ready for the next users;
• Contactless payment systems installed in the coming days throughout the campus for all points-of-sale and photocopiers/printers with the EHL card, which can be charged on the Myehl intranet and avoiding the physical exchange of money or cards.
• Plexiglas protection screens mounted at the Reception, certain Food Court cash registers, Finger Food and M Bar.
• Open Door policy implemented where possible to avoid contact with doorknobs.
• Increased hygiene measures at all Food & Beverage outlets with namely mandatory hand sanitization upon entrance, single-use recyclable cutlery, and wrapped self-service plates.
• Development of new IT solutions to facilitate distance learning, virtual events, and security of all evaluations.

Download the infographic of measures implemented at EHL 

What has EHL done to maintain the quality of its learning and student experience?

EHL takes pride in its recognition as the leading university in Hospitality Management and has implemented a number of solutions to ensure that the quality of learning and student experience is maintained through these particular times.

The HyFlex model is designed to enable a balance of in class and remote learning, allowing students to fully benefit from the campus life and academic courses.

Additional AI-powered proctoring tools have been put in place to ensure the integrity of all online exams.

What is HyFlex? And why was this model chosen at EHL?

• HyFlex (Hybrid & Flexible) is a teaching model that combines in person and online courses simultaneously. A rotation is defined centrally for all students’ courses to take part in classes on campus part of the time, and follow the courses live online the rest of the time. For most classes, we anticipate that approximately 50% will be present on site, and 50% will be joining the class remotely.
• This model was chosen for Bachelor courses as it allows the best combination for students to take advantage of remote study, campus life and classroom presence, given the strict capacity limitations on campus imposed in Switzerland for Covid-related measures. The model also allows flexibility to increase or decrease the presence on site as the situation of the pandemic may evolve.

Download the Hyflex Infographic

What will the final ratio be of onsite and online courses?
All students will have the opportunity to follow courses on campus on a regular basis through rotation. The ratio may evolve depending on the latest measures in place and capacity allowed on campus.

Is this format planned for the next semester only? Or would it be maintained even after COVID measures are eased?
The HyFlex model shows many promising benefits which can contribute to the continued improvements to the curriculum by introducing new digital tools, modernizing our teaching capabilities and expanding the opportunities for students beyond the classroom.

While the Covid pandemic has accelerated our digitalization plans, Hyflex constitutes an essential step towards a more comprehensive digitalization of all our programs, a strategic plan launched across all learning entities of EHL Group. Elements of this model, and an increased digitalization of certain courses may therefore remain in place after the measures of the pandemic are lifted.

The Hyflex format will also apply to the Spring 2021 semester. However, the courses will be delivered fully online (remotely) until the end of February to comply with the current sanitary measures. The Hyflex format will be back as soon as the sanitary measures allow it.

What happens for students who are unable to be in the Swiss time zone (for travel restrictions for example)?

• The principle is that all EHL students will be in Switzerland. Only students facing covid-19 restrictions can request to attend remote classes instead of in-person classes, as assigned to them in their LMS. These students should contact Student Affairs as soon as possible.
• Inquiries will be processed on a case-by-case basis and supporting documentation will be required.
  More than half of the student population will be scheduled to be on campus as of the first week of class.

How will the classroom be set up to allow for interaction from remote students and on site students?
The exact set up of the classroom is currently being tested. The professor will be responsible to establish the interaction between the students present in class and those attending remotely.

Will the Academic assistants be taking control of the online classroom?
No, it will be the responsibility of the faculty members to take control of their classroom (online and on campus).

Will students have the option of following the courses 100% remotely upon request?

No. The HyFlex model is designed to enable a mix of classroom presence, campus life, interactions and online courses. Any exceptions required for 100% remote course planning should be announced asap and will be handled on a case by case basis.

How will social distancing be respected during classes?
Thanks to the HyFlex model, a limited number of people will be allowed admission to the campus at one time in order to ensure appropriate distancing and sanitary measures.

• In class, a distance of 1.5m will be respected between each student and it will not be mandatory for students to wear a mask.
• In AP workshops, masks will be mandatory.

What system will be used and will there be training provided?
All remote courses will be accessed via Microsoft Teams. Training could be organized if there is a general need. If you feel that you would benefit from joining a training on Teams, please contact Student Affairs.

What will the IT installation be in the classrooms?
On every desk of every classroom, you will now find a new Microsoft Teams device. This all-in-one Teams meeting solution merges a small computer and a touchscreen interface on top of it. The design is very light and straightforward. This is very easy to use.

All classrooms’ ceilings are now equipped with a:

• High quality microphone. The microphone can capture the voice of the speaker from anywhere in the room. But the microphone is configured to favor the zone of the teacher’s desk.
• Full HD Camera with a wide angle. The camera is configured to focus on the front zone of the classroom (meaning students from the last rows cannot be seen on the camera).

Will all courses be recorded and available to watch – or re-watch – on demand?
The video recording will be available in the course chat on Teams for 24 hours. While it is strongly encouraged to attend classes in real time, to enable interactions and questions, we understand that some students are not able to return to Switzerland at the moment, and may be in different time zones. This will allow all students to follow courses in the best possible situation.

Will the mandatory school fees be adapted with the new HyFlex model?
Yes, the F&B prepaid amount will be adapted to the anticipated presence on site for Bachelor students. The exact amount will be communicated as soon as it is finalized.

Will the retakes for week 35 be held on campus?
The retakes for week 35 will be done remotely.

How will the lunch breaks be organized?
Only students who are scheduled for face-to-face classes will have access to the outlets for lunch. Between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., all seats are reserved for lunch and may not be used as study space.

• There is a limit of 30 min maximum per person at the table.
• A social distance of 1.5m is maintained between tables so please do not move the furniture.

Will I be required to follow the EHL dress code when following class remotely?
For details on the video class etiquette, please check out this article by Christophe Laurent.

Will students living on campus and learning remotely have access to the campus’ F&B outlets?

The rules are adapted according to the latest measures announced. You can find the details here.

AP Residence 3

• The AP bedrooms’ cleaning day will be communicated by the AP coordination.
• The classroom where they have to go will also be communicated in the mail.
• A schedule will be defined by the Housekeeping teachers.

Is EHL going to provide masks to all students?

• One reusable fabric mask will be distributed in a hygiene kit to each student the first day they arrive on campus.
• The reusable fabric masks can be worn up to 40 times and must be washed between uses at 60°C or steamed.
• A steamer station is available on campus to disinfect reusable masks. After these 40 days, students will have to purchase their own masks.
• In AP workshops, surgical masks (paper) will be distributed to students.

Will it be possible to purchase masks on campus? If yes, where exactly?
Yes. Masks are available for sale on campus at EHL Lifestyle boutique and at the Campus entrance.

Are face masks going to be mandatory in class?
As of Monday, 5 July wearing a mask is no longer mandatory inside when you are seated, either in class, at your desk or in a meeting, provided that the appropriate distances are maintained.

A mask will remain obligatory whenever standing or walking inside the campus. This will also be required in workshops where students are standing (kitchen, bar etc.).

Note that in classrooms masks may be removed when presenting to facilitate understanding, provided distances are maintained.

Masks may be removed for eating or drinking, when seated in designated areas.

Masks are also required at bus stops and on public transportation.

If the Swiss government changes the restrictions regarding the number of people allowed on campus, will the Hyflex system be adapted mid-way through the semester to adapt to new measures?
Yes. Since the HyFlex model allows us to adapt the onsite presence, we will be able to move more students to remote learning if the campus capacity is further limited, or on the contrary expand the onsite presence if measures are eased.

What should I do if I arrive from a country considered at high risk and have to complete a quarantine?

What happens if a student tests positive to Covid-19 ?
If you test positive for Covid-19, you should follow all instructions provided by the Cantonal Physician’s office and inform the EHL Infirmary (nurse@ehl.ch / +41 (0)21 7851222).
The Cantonal physician’s office will complete all tracing information to notify people you have had contact with who may need testing or isolation.

• It is important that you cooperate fully with this process to help slow the spread of the virus. Note that testing or isolation is not systematically advised for all classmates. This is determined on a case-by-case basis according to close contacts and as determined by the relevant authorities.

Students living on campus will receive instructions from EHL regarding meal delivery and other services which may be needed during their quarantine. You may only leave your quarantine upon confirmation from the Cantonal Physician’s Office and controls will be performed to ensure full compliance.

What are the measures in place on campus?
You will find all the measures put in place, guidelines and details on campus access in the Adapted Environment & Behavior Handbook.

How will security verify which student is allowed to be on campus on each day?
There will be two entrances to the campus (main entrance on Route de Cojonnex and second entrance near the BDS), where an automatic security system will check if the students and staff are scheduled to be on campus that day.

If students are allowed to be on campus on our allocated day, will they have freedom to be on campus the whole day or only within certain time slots? If it is the latter how will this be enforced?
Students will have the possibility to be on campus the whole day if he/she is scheduled to follow a class on campus.

Will students have the opportunity to go on campus should they need access to library tools such as datastream which is only available on site?
Most databases remain available remotely and instructions are available on myEHL. All students may access the library on the days that they are scheduled on campus.

Will the campus’ F&B outlets be accessible to everyone for dinner?
All Campus F&B outlets remain open and are accessible for staff and students planned on site during the day. After 18:00, access is permitted for students living in the residences, students coming to study on site and staff working on site within the overall maximum authorized capacity. The BDS can welcome external guests, with no maximum number of people per table restrictions. The Social Pass app is available at all tables and must be applied for one member of your party. Please note that the BDS reservation is not linked to the campus access authorizations so you need to ensure you have access on the day scheduled, or you will be accompanied to and from the entrance. Please see the Handbook for details.

Reservation required for Foodcourt on the Power Apps, “FC Booking”.

Will students still have access to the campus if they have reservations at F&B outlets (Bistro, BDS, etc.)?

The campus F&B outlets will be open on weekdays from 18:00 to all staff working on site, students living in the residences, students coming to study on site and students and staff planned on site. The campus closes at 23:00. For more details visit the F&B section of the Handbook.

Will students be able to access the campus for special events or committee activities?
Every day, a maximum of 2,250 people will be able to be on campus at a given time. Priority will be given to classes (HyFlex rotation for students and faculty members).

Teams can use any study space, on a first come first served basis, with a maximum of 5 people per space according to the current Covid measures.

I don’t have the necessary material at home to study properly (e.g. Internet connection, printer): can I use facilities on campus?

• Printers and scanners are accessible, from 6:00 am to 00:00 pm Monday to Friday (from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm on weekend), at the North entrance of campus.
• If you experience any technical issues using on-campus printers, scanners and/or connectivity, please contact the IT Helpdesk: +41 21 785 1234.
• Appropriate internet connection is required in order to follow your classes online.
• If you experience any issues with at-home printers and/or Internet connections, please refer to your printer's helpline/Internet providers directly.

I’m not pIanned on campus and I forgot an important item that allows me to study: what should I do?

If you forgot something on campus, please send an Outlook appointment to EHL Security during the following times:

Monday to Friday : 8:00 am – 11:00 am / 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Make sure you arrive at the North entrance at the scheduled time, as no unplanned entries will be granted.