N.B.: There is now a new webpage about the effects of the coronavirus on the activities at SLU that replaces this page.
The new page can be reached from both the staff web and the student web. Their short addresses are internt.slu.se/en/corona and student.slu.se/en/corona.
Affected areas added. Any precautionary measures advised by SLU are based on the recommendations issued by the Public Health Agency of Sweden. We monitor the situation continuously and will update this information if recommendations change.
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs advises against non-essential travel to ALL countries. The government has banned travel to Sweden. The decision will apply from Thursday 19 March and continue for at least 30 days. However, Swedish citizens and people who live in Sweden should be able to return home. Additionally, the ban does not apply to travel from other EU countries
At the moment, the following advice applies:
- 18 March update: As of 18 March and until further notice, buildings at SLU's Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala campuses will be locked. You can still access the buildings using your access card and code.
- 18 March update: The government has banned travel to Sweden. The decision will apply from Thursday 19 March and continue for at least 30 days. However, Swedish citizens and people who live in Sweden should be able to return home. Additionally, the ban does not apply to travel from other EU countries. Learn more in the government's press release (in Swedish).
- 17 March update: A recommendation from the government about all students should study at home instead of on campus as of Wednesday 18 March. Read more in the letter from the Vice Chancellor: Swedish higher education institutions to transition to distance teaching as of Wednesday 18 March
- 16 March update: Due to the risk of infection, following a discussion with their manager, employees can work from home. It is important to focus on operational needs and ensure that there are technological conditions that make it possible to work from home.
- 16 March update: the Ministry for Foreign Affairs advises against non-essential travel to ALL countries.
- 12 March update: the Tyrol in Austria added to Affected areas.
- 12 March update: Any event arranged by SLU where more than 100 participants are expected should be cancelled if possible, and participation in similar events arranged by others should be cancelled, up to and including 14 April. The manager responsible will make decisions in these cases.
- 12 March update: International conferences up to and including 14 April should be cancelled.
- 12 March update: All non-essential business travel, domestic and international, should be cancelled if possible. If possible, arrange online meetings instead. Any essential travel must be booked as flexible, rebookable tickets through the procured travel agency Egencia.
- 10 March update: Staff and students who have recently spent time in affected areas* as well as parts of the world where the Ministry for Foreign Affairs discourages travel due to the coronavirus must study from home for two weeks after returning home.
- All students and members of staff are advised not to travel to affected areas*. Where the Ministry for Foreign Affairs advises against travel to other parts of the world affected by the virus, this also applies to SLU students and staff.
- All visits from partners/guests should be cancelled if the visitors are travelling from affected areas*.
*Affected areas: the Ministry for Foreign Affairs advises against non-essential travel to ALL countries.
If your work or studies are affected by the above, contact your immediate superior (staff) or your programme director of studies (students) for advice on how to conduct your work or studies in the best way. Students on freestanding courses should contact the course coordinator.
If you are feeling unwell and experiencing symptoms like a blocked nose, coughing or a temperature – stay at home. Do not go to work or attend lectures etc. This applies even if you are only experiencing mild symptoms. Should you be infected, you risk infecting others if you do not stay at home. Inform your immediate superior as usual, or your programme director of studies if you are a student.
Due to the risk of infection, following a discussion with their manager, employees can work from home. It is important to focus on operational needs and ensure that there are technological conditions that make it possible to work from home. Social distancing can reduce spreading, keep sick levels down and make it easier for those who cannot work from home.
Public defence of a doctoral thesis
In order to facilitate the implementation of public defences of doctoral theses during a period when many organisations and countries have travel restrictions, it is allowed to deviate from SLU guidelines stating that the author of the thesis, external reviewer, examining committee and chair must be physically present during said defence. If any party cannot be physically present due to travel restrictions and the faculty, through the doctoral education committee, decides that video link-up is the only option, IT support should be booked during the defence to ensure technological quality. The doctoral education committees are also encouraged to review the possibility of finding alternative examining committee members who can be physically present.
This decision applies until further notice.
Students and staff should keep themselves updated by checking these websites:
Frequently asked questions
Managers responsible for work environment issues are encouraged to conduct their own risk and impact assessment to prepare operations in case the contagion spreads: Risk and impact assessment in case of increased spread of the Covid-19 contagion
This page will be updated with new information as needed.