RSU cancels all activities and in-person lectures to contain the spread of COVID-19

On 12 March the Latvian Crisis Management Council (Council) proposes widespread measures at all educational institutions in consideration of the latest developments of the spread of coronavirus COVID-19 in Latvia.

Following the Council’s decision Rīga Stradiņš University will cancel all in-person classes and lectures from 13 March. Tomorrow RSU will prepare a more detailed statement regarding the study process, research and work of the administrative staff.

On 12 March the Latvian government declared a state of emergency in order to contain the spread of the coronavirus,. All educational institutions should cancel in-person classes and lectures and move studies to online learning. We advise you to follow the latest developments on the e-studies platform. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Latvian Crisis Management Council announcement

On the organisation of the study process

• On-site lectures are suspended, but classes will still go ahead according to schedule.
• The study process will be organised using e-studies, including video lectures.
• It is recommended to cancel all foreign trips to the affected countries specified by the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, as well as to other countries.
• If, however, a student intends to travel to an affected country the student should inform the Dean via e-mail two working days prior to departure.
• If a student has stayed in an affected country for a period not exceeding 14 days prior to the issue of this decree and has returned to Latvia, the student should immediately inform the Dean about it by e-mail, not come to RSU in person, and self-quarantine.
• If a student has nevertheless travelled to an affected country after the issue of this decree and is preparing to return to Latvia, the student should inform the Dean by e-mail at least 2 working days before returning to Latvia, should not arrive at RSU during the first 14 days after returning to Latvia, as well as self-quarantine.
• If a student is a tenant of an RSU Student Hostel, RSU shall suspend the rental contract for 14 days after returning to Latvia, as a result of which the student may not live in the Student Hostel and should find a place of residence independently for that period and self-isolate (home quarantine). 
• Failure by a student to fulfil the obligations may be regarded as a serious breach of the study contract with relevant consequences, including the possibility of being excluded from the list of students and the obligation to cover losses and damage to individuals and legal entities.

Further information

On public gatherings

• RSU events (conferences, meetings, seminars, etc.) with the participation of more than 50 persons are cancelled.
• Upon planning meetings or other events with a large number of participants, RSU institutions and structural units should consider the possibilities for postponing the event and addressing current issues in other formats.

Further information

On RSU employees' international travel and preventative health measures

• RSU employees should cancel any approved business trips that have yet not taken place. Employees may not approve new business trips to the countries specified by the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control the duration of which is scheduled until 30 April.
• It is advised not to travel to the any of the affected countries specified by the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and other countries.
• Employees should immediately inform RSU (personalsrsu[pnkts]lv, +37167060850) if they are planning to travel to countries specified by the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control until 30 April.
• Within the first 14 days after returning to Latvia from affected countries specified by the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the employee should not come to RSU and should use remote methods of communication with RSU students and employees, etc.
• After recovering from COVID-19, employees may resume their duties solely after receiving a clean bill of health.
• Failure by an employee to fulfil the obligations laid down in this decree may be regarded as a serious breach of the employment contract with relevant consequences, including the obligation to cover losses to individuals and legal entities.

RSU student hostels

• No guests allowed.
• 5 Dārza iela: entry only via the main entrance (also for business purposes) and only with access cards. All other doors are electronically locked.
• 17 Mārupes iela: from noon on 13 March students will have restricted car access to the courtyard (movement to / from the city is only available via the two main entrances).
• 3 Hipokrāta iela: from noon on 13 March only the main entrance will work with access cards (also for business purposes) and other doors will be electronically locked.