News
Corona Infection in Wageningen Student Housing
The Municipal Health Service (GGD) Gelderland-Midden determined that a Wageningen student tested positive for coronavirus last Tuesday. The student was likely infected through a contact outside of the Gelderland-Midden region. Since then, it has been determined that five of the student’s flatmates/visitors have also tested positive.
Even though these were mentors/participants during the Wageningen Annual Introduction Days, the GGD Gelderland-Midden sees no reason to suspect that other participants in the AID have also been infected. This is largely because the students who tested positive were not in close contact with others.
These students have since gone into self-quarantine at home. In consultation with the GGD, the students and student associations have once again been reminded to meet outdoors whenever possible (instead of indoors), maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from others, and never throw house parties. Obviously, these rules must be observed outside of the AID programme as well.
Today is the last day of the Annual Introduction Days in Wageningen. It has been continuously pointed out that students are responsible for abiding by all the guidelines. Specially appointed stewards or BOAs have been addressing the students when this was not the case. This was only required on occasion. Rector Magnificus Arthur Mol reflected on the event: “In this unusual time, we can look back with satisfaction on how the AID went. Fun and safety set the tone for the programme.”
Wageningen is known for its personalised and individual approach to students. This programme is an essential part of warmly welcoming students to the university. First-year students get to know each other, the city, and all the facilities at a rapid-fire pace. Getting started in this way helps students to kick off their studies in an enjoyable way and improves their academic performance. That is why a blend of in-person and online activities were chosen for the Annual Introduction Days.
During the Annual Introduction Days, the safety of students, volunteers, employees, and their surroundings comes first and foremost. The safety region and GGD for Gelderland-Midden, the municipality, and the student associations helped WUR to provide the proper facilities and maintain contact with the relevant parties. There have been no large celebrations, groups have no more than 12 people and have been kept reasonable distances apart, and everything has been done in accordance with the RIVM guidelines. Furthermore, dozens of stewards have also been assigned to supervise the event and remind others of their personal responsibilities.
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