When can I take my face mask off? 

If you are seated, and are able to keep 1.5 metre distance, you may remove your mask. Luckily, a few extra exceptions apply in an educational setting. If wearing a mask impedes your ability to teach or take part in class or study activities, you may remove it. The same applies when you are eating or drinking and are sitting in a fixed location. 

Practical examples of this are as follows. 

During teaching and research activities

• You do not need to wear a face mask when the safety regulations in a laboratory prohibit you from doing so. The lecturer will decide which measures are necessary. 
• Lecturers may remove their face masks when speaking in front of a group in order to ensure they can be understood. 
• When necessary, students may briefly remove their face masks to communicate with others; they must be seated in a fixed location when doing so. 
• Students may briefly remove their face masks when seated for long periods indoors – such as during exams or at a study workstation – if the mask is bothering them. Be sure to maintain proper distance from other people at such times. 

When eating, at the office, during doctoral ceremonies and for medical reasons

• You may also take off your face mask to eat and drink, as long as you are sitting or standing at a fixed location. 
• Employees may remove their masks when at their workstations, provided they maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from other people. 
• During doctoral ceremonies, speakers may remove their face masks when giving a speech or asking or answering questions. However, the audience in the room will still be required to wear a mask. 
• People who are unable to wear a face mask for medical reasons are of course exempted from the obligation as well. You can find more information about this here.

What kind of face mask is advised?

Disposable face masks are the most effective. The recommendation is to wear a Type II medical face mask. Ensure that the face mask is a good fit and covers your nose, mouth and chin. If you are vulnerable due to your health, it is best to use a Type II-R medical face mask.

Both types form a barrier to the droplets that can reach other people when you breathe, talk or sing. They also form a barrier to droplets that you would otherwise breathe in. By wearing a medical face mask, you offer both yourself and others better protection against the virus.

Click here for more information about these face masks.

Where can I buy a Type II-face mask?

You can buy Type II face masks in pharmacies or supermarkets. If you have forgotten your face mask, they are also available at various points on campus. We hope that you will keep your face mask on as much as possible during the day.

A summary of all changes is presented below: 

• The self-isolation rules have been amended. If in doubt as to whether you have to self-isolate, please fill in the government’s self-isolation check. 
• Education-related events - such as speeches, PhD ceremonies or study taster sessions - are possible once more. Click here for details.  
• More sport is allowed too, indoors and outdoors. An overview of what is possible can be found on the pages of the USC, the UvA’s sports centre. 

Working from home 

Unfortunately, the recommendation to work from home has not changed. Everyone is still asked to work from home, unless this really is not an option. It will however remain possible for staff who really cannot work from home to work on campus, in consultation with their supervisor.   

Difficult period 

For many students and staff, the corona period continues to be a difficult time that causes stress, discomfort and loneliness. That’s why we are asking everyone to continue to keep an eye out for each other. If you have a fellow student and colleague who is at the end of their tether, call them up, arrange to meet up or refer them to the different initiatives and options offered by the UvA for support during this period. 

Find an overview for students here.
Find an overview for staff of information for working from home here.

More information

Find more information on quarantine, vaccination and (self)testing here.

If you are expected on campus, find out which additional measures are in place in order to ensure everyone's safety.

Rules regarding face masks can also be found on this page.

For answers to any other questions, see the FAQs on the coronavirus page.