Ready to fight a potential second wave
To bolster the coronavirus master plan already in place, the ETH Zurich Executive Board has approved a plan B containing additional measures in case a second wave of the virus strikes.
Following the loosening of coronavirus restrictions, there has been a rise in the number of infections in Switzerland – although the much feared "second wave" has fortunately not materialised. In order to be prepared for whatever comes next, the Executive Board has passed a plan B to supplement the master plan for returning to “new normal” operations. The master plan will remain in place, while plan B describes various scenarios and how ETH would react to them. These scenarios were developed back in May in close cooperation with the ETH professors who serve on the National COVID-19 Science Task Force. The measures were then coordinated with ETH's various departments and central administrative units.
Preventing a second lockdown
"We want to do everything in our power to prevent a second total lockdown at ETH," says Ueli Weidmann, Vice President for Infrastructure and head of the university's COVID-19 task force, when describing the goal of the document. The plan contains selective measures that would be triggered early on to ensure that examinations, teaching and research can go on as usual.
The upcoming session examinations in August have been given the highest priority. ETH has drawn up protective measures to ensure that exams can take place without restrictions, even in these unusual times. The aim is for the Autumn Semester to start with as much classroom teaching as possible, supplemented by online courses. Researchers should also be able to work without limitations and conduct as many of their planned experiments as possible. The same applies to spin-off companies located on campus: they too should be able to do their work without restrictions.
Reacting quickly to cases of infection
"We're relying on the cooperation of everyone at ETH to achieve these goals," explains Weidmann. In this case, cooperation mainly refers to following physical distancing and hygiene rules as well as using the contact tracing app, which the Executive Board strongly recommends to all members of the ETH community. "It is extremely critical for us to be able to detect outbreaks as early as possible in order to limit the damage in case a second wave hits," says Weidmann. This would also apply to individual cases of infection at ETH, he says, which is why he calls upon members of the ETH community to act responsibly: "If you feel sick, stay at home, and if you have symptoms of infection, get tested immediately." But what steps should you take if you find yourself potentially falling ill?
"Our safety protocols are based on probability considerations. No one is immune from getting infected."Ueli Weidmann
The Safety, Security, Health and Environment department has issued guidelines on how to proceed in cases of infection. The guidelines cover who has to inform whom and when, which measures should be taken, and how contact tracing works in practice.
For Weidmann, it is important not to stigmatise members of the ETH community who become sick. "Our safety protocols are based on probability considerations," he explains. "No one is immune from getting infected." It's a time that calls for an empathetic approach, even if cases of infection have consequences for the groups around them.
Plan B in detail
If cantonal or municipal authorities conclude that a second wave is developing on ETH’s premises, the university would activate plan B. The plan envisages that members of the ETH community would consistently work in small defined groups that are mostly prohibited from coming into contact with other groups. Other measures include mandatory mask policies for certain groups or buildings, smaller groups that rotate in and out of the workplace, and an increase in mandatory working-from-home arrangements. Meetings are to be held digitally again and substitution rules are to be defined for all relevant functions. The departments and managers of central functions are making preparations to ensure that these measures can be activated without delay. If an infection does occur at ETH Zurich, it would be possible to determine who might be impacted – meaning that only a small group of people would have to go into quarantine as per cantonal regulations. Closing ETH Zurich would not be necessary.
"If the situation takes a drastic turn for the worse, we will be forced to go back one stage in the current master plan and reactivate earlier measures," says Weidmann. "Of course, you always have to be prepared for the possibility of cantonal or federal authorities issuing new regulations, and that's another situation where we need to be able to respond immediately." The COVID-19 task force is keeping a watchful eye on developments at home and abroad. Weidmann says that the ETH community has shown great responsibility and commitment to observing the rules. "If we continue on this path, we can work together to avoid the kind of tragic situation that would be triggered by a superspreader event at ETH," he says.
Further information
Master plan – Download Corona: Return to “new normal” operations, Version 4, Stage 3.2.2 from 3–30 August 2020
Guidelines for ETH staff – Download COVID-19: Communication of illness, dealing with close contacts and supporting contact tracing