The Ministry for Innovation and Technology has repeatedly called upon higher education institutions to keep students and lecturers adequately informed and to do all they can to prevent the spread of the virus.

In a circular, the Ministry called upon universities to regularly inform lecturers and students, in both Hungarian and English, of the importance of observing the rules of personal hygiene, with special regard to the importance of regular and thorough hand sanitising and the frequent airing of rooms. The Ministry also laid down in the document that if a student or lecturer had been to an infected area, they should avoid members of the public and monitor themselves. If they detect symptoms such as fever, coughing, a sore throat or fatigue, they should stay at home, call their general practitioner or the onsite physician of the higher education institution or the toll-free telephone numbers of the National Centre for Public Health at 06 80/277-455 or 06 80/277-456. The Ministry is asking universities to authorise absence for the students and lecturers concerned, and to create the conditions wherever possible for distance education.

The Ministry for Innovation and Technology called upon higher education institutions not to send staff members on official trips to countries affected by the spread of the virus, and not to receive guests from there. If lecturers are aware of any students who have been to infected areas due to university or college programmes, they should immediately notify the management.

According to the circular, the Ministry also expects the managers of universities and colleges of higher education to ensure compliance with WHO recommendations in their institutions as well as in student accommodation facilities. They should provide for regular cleaning and disinfecting with anti-virus disinfectant substances on premises in common use.

(MTI)