COVID-19 Playbook

The information on this page pertains to the four Smith Programs Abroad in France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland and contains specific protocols that apply to all Smith Centers. The Office for International Study will continue to work with the directors of these program to implement and ensure safety protocols for students, instructors and staff.

 
Statement on Safety During a Pandemic

Smith College is currently reviewing the health and safety risks involved in international travel and study for 2022–23. The Office for International Study is committed to providing adequate COVID-19 precautions for study abroad. All students studying abroad must demonstrate compliance with the Smith College vaccination policy.

We are preparing to offer study abroad where conditions allow. Smith College's final approval of study abroad plans will be contingent upon the following:

  • Ongoing monitoring of the COVID-19 global health situation.
  • Assessment of COVID contingency plans and protocols.
  • Academic continuity should the program be interrupted.
  • COVID precautions in program-regulated housing.
  • Adherence to local public health guidelines for quarantine, public transportation,university classrooms,.social gatherings outside of the Smith Center.
  • Ability to implement changes to protect safety for students, faculty and staff abroad that go beyond local health requirements.

The team contributing to this assessment include the Study Abroad Risk Assessment Advisory Group (SARAAG), the Smith Programs Abroad directors and the deans in the Office for International Study.

The information published on this site will be updated on a regular basis. 


Operating Modes

Day-to-day life in the program sites will be guided by operating modes (least restrictive, moderately restrictive and most restrictive). The operating mode will be determined by pandemic conditions in the countries where the four Smith programs are located. The Smith Programs Abroad will change modes infrequently and as necessary per each program and/or for the full group. Updates may be found on this page.


Anticipated Operating Mode at Start of the Smith Programs Abroad is
Moderately Restrictive

As of January 2022, the Smith Programs Abroad will be running as planned. Any changes to the plan will be communicated accordingly. The operating mode status for each country may be different. Check the Program Specific Information section for the operating mode status of individual programs.

Operating Modes

  • Quarantine for exposure to COVID and isolation if tested positive.
  • Limited to no curfew.
  • Multi-modal instruction.
  • Limited independent travel per program location.
  • Flexible quarantine.
  • Limited to moderate curfew.
  • Multi-modal instruction.
  • Limited independent travel per program location.
  • Quarantine based on local country policies.
  • Moderate to extensive curfew.
  • Remote instruction.
  • No independent travel.


All Smith Centers

All Program Centers

  • Smith Center is open during normal business hours.
  • All staff and instructors may be working/teaching in-person.
  • Social distancing and mask usage as per local public health guidelines.
  • Smith Center is open on a restricted schedule.
  • Capacity in the Center may be restricted.
  • Social distancing and mask usage as per local public health guidelines.
  • Smith Center is closed.
  • All staff and instructors are encouraged to work from home wherever/whenever possible.
  • Only essential staff and tasks should be conducted in the Center.


Staff Offices

Offices

  • Staff and instructor presence scheduled to meet capacity restrictions.
  • Meetings must follow capacity restrictions in place. 
  • Masking, social distancing and sanitation guidelines will follow standards to be determined.
  • Administrative work may be done remotely in combination with in-person presence.
  • Staff and instructor presence scheduled to meet capacity restrictions.
  • Meetings must follow capacity restrictions in place. Most student advising will take place in rooms designated for at least 2 people.
  • Staff and instructors to wear masks in the Center at all times unless alone in an office with closed doors.  
  • When able/feasible, windows should be open.
  • Each office will have hand sanitizer products available.
  • Staff and instructors working remotely.
  • Staff presence at the office is limited to essential tasks only.


Common Areas

This includes hallways, libraries, kitchens and study spaces.

  • Post bilingual signs and use tape on the floor to indicate social distancing capacity.
  • Have hand sanitizer and wipes available in multiple locations for common use.
  • Limited access to common areas.
  • Restrict use office equipment to essential use only.
  • No access to Center permitted except for key staff to perform essential tasks.


Classrooms

The following protocols apply to Smith-controlled classrooms only. For classrooms on host university campuses, Smith abides by local regulations and precautions which may be different from what is presented here.

  • Chairs and desks will be arranged to meet social distancing standards to be determined.
  • Signage with classroom capacity will be prominently displayed.
  • Masking, social distancing and sanitation guidelines will follow standards to be determined.

Classrooms will be used for small group activities as part of a multi-modal instructional plan.

  • Chairs and desks will be arranged to allow for 1.8 meters (6 ft.) space between students.
  • Signage with classroom capacity will be prominently displayed.
  • Each room will be supplied with hand sanitizer, products for sanitizing seating and teaching surfaces, and a garbage can. Students and instructors are responsible for wiping down their respective space after class.
  • Windows will be open as weather allows for increased ventilation.
  • All classes are taught remotely. 
  • In special circumstances, instructors may have use of a classroom for instruction of a Zoom or videotaped class. Capacity restrictions will apply.


Student Housing

Housing arrangements on the four Smith Programs Abroad may include homestays, student residences or small apartments depending on location. Students will receive detailed information about specific housing guidelines once they have confirmed their participation on the program. Single occupancy bedrooms will be available on all programs.

  • Students permitted to leave their residence and move within their location per local public health guidelines.
  • Students may have a limited number of visitors in their residences as per local public health guidelines.
  • Students may be permitted to leave the residence and move within their location per local guidelines.
  • Students may meet with friends or visitors in  permitted areas based on local guidelines.
  • Students may be expected to remain in their residence or homestays at all times. Any exceptions will abide local public health restrictions.
  • Meals will be provided at the residence hall/by the homestay family or by delivery.
  • Visitors may not be allowed.


Co-curricular Activities

Excursions

  • Program excursions offered as per program calendar and following local COVID protocols.

  • Program excursions will be offered within the program’s city/region only and following local COVID protocols.

  • Virtual excursions will be offered as per the program’s calendar.

 
Independent Travel

  • Limited independent travel per program location within the program’s city/region only and following local COVID protocols.
  • Permission to travel independently may be required by the program directors.

  • Limited independent travel per program location within the program’s city/region only, following local COVID protocols and travel guidelines set by the program.
  • Permission to travel independently may be required by the program directors.

  • No independent travel allowed.

 
Internships and Volunteering

  • Virtual internships or volunteer opportunities may be available.
  • In-person internships or volunteer opportunities may be permitted on a case-by-case basis where local COVID protocols are followed by the workplace.

  • Virtual internships or volunteer opportunities may be available and are encouraged.
  • In-person internships or volunteer opportunities may be permitted on a case-by-case basis where the placement does not involve direct in-person contact with the public and local COVID protocols are followed by the workplace.

  • Virtual internships or volunteer opportunities may be available. No in-person activities will be offered or permitted.

 

Program Specific Information

Current Protocols (per government)

COVID-19 public health guidelines and regulations for France may be found on the French Government website. Travel and incoming quarantine restrictions may be found on the Ministere de l’Interieur website. This information changes on a regular basis and we recommend checking periodically. Our office will provide occasional updates to accepted students over the spring and summer as we get closer to the anticipated arrival date for the program.

Program Specific Information

Arrivals
  • It is mandatory that students take a COVID-19 tests 48 hours before departure.
  • Upon arrival, students will go to their permanent housing arrangement. 
  • The Arrival Orientation will be conducted in person.
Housing
  • Students may be housed with host families, in university housing, or studio apartments.
Excursions
  • Excursions will be conducted in small groups.
Group Activities
  • Group activities will be conducted in small groups.

    Current Protocols (per government)

    Everything is currently open in Germany, except bars and clubs. Medical masks (surgical masks, FFP2 or KN95) are required in public indoor spaces (shops, libraries etc.) and on markets. Public transportation (bus, subway, train) is open for passengers who are either vaccinated or recovered from Covid or hold a current negative test certificate. Wearing a FFP2-mask is required in public transportation. Please check the Corona in Hamburg website for more details. 

    University classes on campus are either being delivered in person or remotely. Please check the Covid FAQ website of the University of Hamburg for more details.  

    Program Specific Information

    Arrivals
    • Students need to complete a digital registration and upload their vaccination certificate prior to arrival in Germany. 
    • Please check information issued by the Federal Foreign Office for travelers from high-risk areas (which is what the US are currently considered to be) for details about entry and quarantine regulations.
    • Upon arrival, students must wear a FFP2-mask and take a taxi directly to the Smith Office. They don’t need to quarantine.  
    • Once arrived at the Smith Center, students will be asked to take a self-test before the first meeting.
    • We plan to have a welcome lunch and our first orientation info session at the Smith Center as usual, following local Covid protocols.

     

    Housing
    • Students get single rooms in international student residences. They need to comply with the hygiene protocol issued by their house administration (the protocol is in accordance with German and Hamburg-specific rules, but details may vary from one dorm to the next).
    Excursions
    • Excursions will take place as usual, following local Covid protocols. Students will be accomodated in single rooms during excursions. 
    Group Activities
    • All activities take place as usual, following local Covid protocols.
    • Gatherings are limited to 10 people.
    • Students who test positive need to isolate for ten days (or for seven days if they have been without symptoms for 48 hours and test negative on the 7th day). Contact with the program will be maintained.

       

    Current Protocols (per government)

    Current protocols (as per January 202)

    Italian Government has approved the Super Green Pass which will be required by educational institutions and will allow entrance to museums, cultural sites and restaurants, as well as travel on long distance trains and buses.

    The Super Green pass is considered valid if fully the person is vaccinated, with a negative Covid tests within 48 hours, or if the person has recovered from Covid from no more than 6 months.

    The White Card with CDC logo is considered valid in lieu of the Green Pass QR code (as of today, only residents in Italy with a valid health insurance government card have the possibility of obtaining the Green Pass QRcode).

    The Tuscany Region (Florence) is now “low to medium risk area (zona gialla)”. Everything is currently open including cafés and restaurants, but masks FFp2 in closed spaces (shops, museums, restaurants, etc.) must be worn. Masks should also be worn outdoors (no necessary FFps mask, also surgical masks in this case are allowed. Restrictions apply (social distancing in cinemas, museums, libraries, sport events, etc). Classes are being delivered in person, except for the first week of program orientation, and the use of masks is mandatory, but scenarios of hybrid or remote teaching are ready in case of new wave(s). Currently there is no curfew in place in Italy, but avoiding gatherings in public and respecting social distancing is highly recommended. Access to some public spaces and events for people without the Green Pass is not allowed.

    See guidelines and regulations for Italy may be found on the Italian Government  website. Travel and incoming quarantine restrictions may be found on the Italian Government website. This information changes on a regular basis and we recommend checking periodically. 

    Our office will provide occasional updates to accepted students over the spring and summer as we get closer to the anticipated arrival date for the program. (Lisa, I think that this sentence can be deleted)

    Program Specific Information

    Program Specific Information

    Arrivals
    • Students must arrive with the results of a negative molecular swab carried out within 72 hours prior to entry into Italy or with a negative antigenic test carried out within 24 hours prior to entry into Italy. Test results must be printed.
    • It is mandatory for all passengers arriving to Italy to fill before departure the Passenger Locator Form
    • At the moment, only non-vaccinated persons coming from countries where a high-risk variant circulate must quarantine upon arrival. This list is updated every week.
    • Upon arrival students must wear a FFp2 mask and take a taxi to the Hotel Liana or to the apartment they have been assigned.
    • Students will quarantine until February 3rd. Students will be accommodated in single rooms with private bathroom ath the Hotel Liana. Breakfast will be grab and go. Lunch and dinners will be delivered. Students should remain in their rooms. Students will be tested 3 times during the first week and if everybody tests negative on February 2nd, there will be a group meeting at the Smith Center on Friday, February 4th. In the afternoon of that same day, students who chose the homestay option, will move to their host families.
    • Arrival Orientation will be conducted remotely on Saturday January 29th.
    • During the first week of the program (January 31 to February 3rd): Orientation classes will be conducted remotely.
    • The second week of the program Orientation (courses and outdoor curricular activities) will be conducted in person (unless sudden changes in the Tuscany region in the weeks to come). In case of positive tests of one or more members of the group, we will abide to the rules in place in the Tuscany region and teaching might be hybrid.
    Housing
    • Students will be housed in single rooms in an apartment.
    • Visitors are NOT admitted in the students’ apartment by any means (even under the least restricting operating mode).
    Excursions
    • Under the least and moderate restrictive operating mode, excursions and extracurricular activities will take place normally, but masks must be worn in trains and buses.
    • Under the most restrictive operating mode, excursions will be replaced with virtual tours.
    Group Activities
    • Under the least restrictive operating mode all activities (including sports and cultural ones) will take place normally, with masks and social distancing if and when indicated. There may be some variation to this depending on the type of activity.
    • Group activities will follow procedures indicated by the public health authorities.
    • Under the most restrictive conditions, group activities will be organized remotely.

    Current Protocols (per government)

    Everything is currently open in Switzerland, including cafés and restaurants, but masks in closed spaces (shops, market, stations and public transportation) are required. Restrictions apply: university buildings, cultural activities, restaurants are open only to people with a Covid Pass (vaccination certificate indicating at least two doses); some specific spaces (discotheques, swimming pools) additionally require a negative test. Classes are being delivered in person (with Covid passes and masks and in some cases with a negative test) but scenarios of hybrid or remote teaching are ready in case of new wave(s). There never was a curfew in Switzerland. Shortening quarantines and replacing the negative test with proof of the third dose (booster) are under discussion. See guidelines from the Federal Office of Public Health. Federal Office of Public Health.

    Program Specific Information

    Arrivals
    • PCR tests are mandatory to travel. At the moment, only non-vaccinated persons coming from countries where a high risk variant circulate must quarantine upon arrival. This list is updated every week. Since last fall, no country is indicated on this list, but if you transit through another country, you have to inform yourselves about its specific rules: https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home/krankheiten/ausbrueche-epidemien-pandemien/aktuelle-ausbrueche-epidemien/novel-cov/empfehlungen-fuer-reisende/liste.html
    • Upon arrival, you must wear a mask and take a taxi directly to your residence. You don’t need to quarantine and will be free of movement but will need your Covid pass to enter restaurants, and masks to get into shops and public transportation.
    • Once arrived, at the Smith Center, you will be asked to take a self-test before our first meeting.
    • We plan to meet to have dinner outside (Covid Pass will be mandatory) and have our first Orientation info session at the Smith Center normally.
    Housing
    • All students will be housed in international student residences in single rooms.
    • Access to common spaces is regulated according to the Federal Health Office rules (masks, passes or tests and social distancing).
    Excursions
    • Excursions will take place normally, masks must be worn in trains and buses.
    Group Activities
    • All activities (including sports and cultural activities) take place normally, with masks, passes or tests and social distancing when indicated by the providers.
    • Gatherings are limited to 30 people (50 people in outside areas).
    • Group activities will be normal but we will follow procedures (testing, maybe limited meetings) depending on the evolution of the situation.
    • Students with positive tests will be isolated for five days (TBC) and will be provided with activities in autonomy and enhanced teaching methods; in case of several absents, we will switch to remote teaching during Orientation;
    • Students will symptoms will be in contact with our local doctor and will be followed up by the Cantonal health structures;

    Note: The current measures and recommendations from the Swiss government date back from the end of December. New measures related to the Omicron wave will be published at the end of January.