STAFF. Despite the fact that just over 6.6 million people in Sweden have received at least one vaccine dose against covid-19, the spread of infection is now increasing. Employees who can should still work from home and those who are physically at work should avoid congestion.
At the end of May, the government presented its five-step plan for adapting and phasing out the Swedish pandemic restrictions. When different steps can be taken depends on how large the spread of infection is, how great the pressure on healthcare is and how high the vaccination coverage is. Right now, Sweden is in step three, and previously there has been hope that the next step can be taken in early September.
But last week, the Swedish Public Health Agency presented new scenarios that indicate an increased spread of covid-19 during the autumn. According to Johan Carlsson, Director General of the Swedish Public Health Agency, new relief at the beginning of next month is “very unlikely”.
“We are now in a situation where neither lighter nor stricter restrictions have been announced. This means that we can organize the business in accordance with the specialization decision that lies ahead”, says University Director Anna Lindholm.
Continued pandemic adjustments
Anna Lindholm leads the central grouping consisting of managers from the joint administration and students who work with the adjustments the university must make due to the pandemic.
“We closely follow the messages from the government, the Public Health Agency and the Västra Götaland region and continuously analyze how these affect our operations. For this week’s meeting, we have invited a representative from the regional infection control for a reconciliation”, says Anna Lindholm.
Next week, the Vice-Chancellor will meet the deans at this autumn’s first management council. They will then discuss, among other things, how the various faculties have planned the gradual return of the autumn, what strategies are in place to avoid congestion on the premises and what readiness is available for adjustments depending on the pandemic’s development.
The Staff Portal has a lot of information about the pandemic and employees are encouraged to keep track here. Among other things, there is a FAQ with answers to many of the most common questions.
Work from home if and when possible
A recurring question is how long the work from home should continue, and at present it is not possible to say. According to current general advice, the Swedish Public Health Agency recommends that as many people as possible work from home. This is valid until September 30, but may change.
In addition, the government has instructed the state authorities to take further measures to increase the number of employees working from home, and at present the assignment is valid until September 15.
“We will still work at home if and when possible and it is the manager who decides where an individual employee can and should perform their work”, says Anna Lindholm.
During the autumn, there will be more teaching on campus than in the spring, which means that the number of employees and students on campus will increase. Since congestion is the single greatest risk of spreading covid-19, it is important that everyone thinks about keeping a safe distance from others to others.
Read further
- Staff Portal: Universitetsgemensam information om covid-19
- Staff Portal: Frågor och svar till medarbetare om covid-19
- The Swedish Public Health Agency: (in Swedish) Arbete hemma
- The Government:(in Swedish) Regeringens plan för avveckling av restriktionerna
