On-Site Teaching is the Goal – Let‘s Continue to be Careful 

Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector of the University of Iceland, sent the following message to University staff and students today (3 January 2022):

"Happy New Year, dear students and colleagues. 

I hope you have all had a wonderful festive season and managed to relax and recharge after a challenging autumn semester. 

Teaching at the University of Iceland starts tomorrow and throughout the week, in accordance with your syllabuses. The University will continue to operate as normally as possible within the limits set by the health authorities.

On-campus learning will be prioritised as far as possible, but further details about teaching arrangements will be determined by individual schools. As previously, every effort will be made to accommodate students who are unable to attend class in person due to isolation or quarantine. I encourage all students to stay up to date with announcements from their instructors and faculties regarding teaching arrangements at the start of the new year. 

Both standard on-campus learning and practical teaching will be possible based on current public health restrictions, which are as follows:

• Physical distancing limits: Generally the 2 metre rule applies in UI buildings. Face masks must be worn where it is not possible to respect the 2 metre rule.
• In classrooms, efforts should be made to maintain 1 metre between students. Face masks must be worn where this is not possible. 
• The maximum number of students permitted in each space is 50. Mixing between groups is permitted.
• The maximum number of staff members permitted in each space is 20. Staff are permitted to move between spaces.
• There are no limits on the number of people permitted in common spaces, such as entrances and corridors.
• To reduce the risk of infection, we recommend that people wear face masks in corridors.
• Everyone is encouraged to take precautions to prevent infection.
• Staff members are encourage to discuss working arrangements with their managers. 
• Electronic meetings are encouraged.

Of course we would prefer to start the new year differently, but these rules are familiar to us all by now. We have been through this before and shown incredible adaptability and resilience. 

I urge you all to follow the advice of the Chief Epidemiologist and get your vaccinations and booster shots as soon as possible. Research shows that there are unequivocal benefits to being vaccinated. I also strongly recommend that everyone downloads the contact tracing app from the Directorate of Health, in order to facilitate the work of the contact tracing team.

Dear students, in particular those of you just starting your programmes at UI, I recommend that you take a look at the helpful advice on the University website about studying in these unusual times.

As we start a new year, let's take care of each other and those closest to us. 

I wish you all the best for 2022, dear students and colleagues.

Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector"