Informative Note N.º 5/R/2020 – update of guidelines

Informative Note N.º 5/R/2020 | update of guidelines in response to the epidemiological situation of the new Coronavirus - Covid-19
Following the Council of Ministers’ press release of March 12, 2020, as well as the Clarification Note from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education of March 13, 2020, and the latest decisions from the Regional Authorities, the Management Council of the University of Madeira has decided to adopt the following guidelines, in response to the epidemiological situation of the new Coronavirus - Covid-19:
1) All teaching and non-teaching activities in person are suspended until April 13. This period includes the Easter break, from 6 to 13 April.
On April 9, the Portuguese Government will reassess the situation, which may or may not lead to an extension of the suspension by the University;
2) From March 16 to April 5, whenever possible, faculty members should replace classroom activities with distance learning;
3) The University will provide, during the week of March 16th to 20th, information for the use of Distance Learning tools, as well as sessions of clarification and guidance, for Faculty members who need it;
4) Depending on how long this exceptional situation lasts and how the reprogramming of activities takes place, the scientific-pedagogical bodies will decide, in due course, on the eventual extension of the school calendar, as well as on the necessary regulatory changes;
5) Teaching and non-teaching staff, researchers and members of Students' union governing bodies will continue to have access to University premises. Proximity between people shall be reduced as much as possible and concentration on common areas shall be avoided, resorting to telework whenever possible;
6) Students from the University of Madeira may only go to the University in exceptional situations, previously authorized. Access to the University is forbidden to elements outside the Academy, except in previously programmed and authorized situations;
7) Under these restrictions, the Penteada University Campus and the Jesuits' College will have the following limited opening hours: from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., from Monday to Friday
8) The Library, study rooms, the Canteen and the Staff Bar will be closed;
9) The Canteen's meal service will take place at the Students' Snack-Bar and individual delivery of meals should be encouraged whenever possible. This service will be provided at the Student Residence by the respective Snack-Bar;
10) The person in charge for each Service/Functional Unit shall check the compatibility of teleworking with the functions performed by the employee, favouring, whenever possible, this regime. Priority should be given to workers belonging to vulnerable and risk groups, however, the provision of minimum services required in the public interest must be safeguarded;
11) It will be up to the person in charge for each Service/Functional Unit, in articulation with the Administrator, to define and program the terms of the waiver of physical presence, allocation and scales of the workers whose face-to-face work is required;
12) Face-to-face services are suspended in all the Services/Functional Units of the University and its Social Services, being replaced by the following measures:
a.The service will be, alternatively, provided by email to the electronic addresses available at the website of the University of Madeira;
b.The telephone assistance will be made during the normal working hours of each Service/Functional Unit;
c. In exceptional cases, duly justified, attendance can be made in person, by appointment;
13) The Residence will remain in operation and will guarantee all services to residents within the framework of the prevention measures disclosed. Visitors will not be allowed to enter the Residence.
a. Students who wish to have non-presential teaching in their homes, outside the Region, may do so, returning at the end of this period, provided that they meet the requirements issued by the Health Authorities;
b. Other residents, who decide to leave the Region, may not return while the contingency period is in force;
14) New ERASMUS mobilities are suspended until further notice;
15) UMa's students in mobility abroad should respect the guidelines issued by the official bodies of the host country. The interruption of mobility, in the current framework, does not entail giving up.
In addition to permanent monitoring by UMa of its mobility students, the Directorate General for Higher Education will ensure regular monitoring and supervision of the management of the ERASMUS+ programme, in relation to national students in mobility abroad, in conjunction with the services of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
16) All sports events and activities scheduled for this period will be suspended or cancelled, as the case may be;
17) Mission/service travel is suspended until further notice.
We ask for the understanding and cooperation of all members of the Academy in order to comply with these measures, which are completely necessary.
Academic greetings,
O Reitor
José Carmo

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