Information about Corona virus

Message from Rector about corona restrictions // 14 Jan 2021

Dear students

At a press conference yesterday, Wednesday, the government announced that the current restrictions have unfortunately been extended for a further three weeks, so that they now apply at least up to and including 7 February.

The extension is due to increased spread of the British variant of the covid-19 virus. Fortunately, however, there is light at the end of the tunnel and we hope that we will be able to see you at KEA again soon. We all need that.

Semester start and graduations will be held online

Unfortunately, with the extension of the restrictions, so that now they reach into February, the start-up of the semester will be held online, with the few exceptions that apply to teaching and working in our labs.

You will soon hear more from your own programme about the specific implications for you and your semester start, and at the bottom of the email we have summarised the impact of the restrictions on KEA's programmes.

For those of you who are about to graduate from KEA: We were really looking forward to celebrating you physically at KEA, but unfortunately, due to the situation and the restrictions, this will not be possible. Instead, there's a package on its way to you so you can still celebrate your graduation on a festive basis, and we hope you'll share your celebratory photos with us on social media using the hashtag #KEAgraduation2021.

Take care of each other

We know that it can be frustrating and difficult to study from home. This applies not least to those of you who have children who have been sent home from school or kept at home from day care centres. Remember to look after each other and help each other through these challenging times until hopefully we can meet physically at KEA again soon.

Stay up to date

Due to the extension, the following restrictions still apply:

With a few exceptions, KEA is shut down for physical activities
The teaching at KEA is still being converted into digital teaching. There may be a few exceptions in cases where attendance is necessary, e.g., when working in KEA's workshops.
Exams will also be held digitally unless it is impossible in practice.
At physical attendance at KEA, you’re obliged to wear a face mask and to keep a 2- metre distance from others.
Physical social events are converted into digital form or cancelled.

In our experience, the authorities' guidelines change frequently, so be sure to stay informed on KEA's intranet for students at https://mit.kea.dk/en/corona-virus

Best regards
Steen Enemark Kildesgaard.
Rector

General guidelines at KEA

At KEA, we follow the health guidelines at all times and they will be revised if they are changed by the authorities or if KEA finds that the guidelines set out are not working as intended or are not being complied with.

These guidelines are in place to ensure the health-safe implementation of the teaching at KEA and the rest of the work at KEA. KEA has a clear expectation that everyone will comply with them, respecting the situation we find ourselves in. And out of consideration for the vulnerable citizens who must be protected from infection with COVID-19.

Teaching and class allocation

When deemed necessary for the academic and social benefit of the students, KEA conducts physical teaching, guidance and exams for groups of a maximum of 25-50 people. You may therefore experience that your class/team is split up. In teaching situations, KEA may thus deviate from the 1-metre distance requirement when necessary. Teaching, exams and the like, where physical attendance is necessary, are exempt from the 5-person assembly ban.

Each student will be assigned to a specific class/team with which all educational activities must take place. Only in activities with this team can the 1-metre distance requirement be dispensed from. The mask requirement does not apply when participating in teaching and educational activities in classrooms and workshops. In specific situations where it is necessary due to health conditions, KEA may demand that you use protective equipment.
Conduct in common areas (Library, Canteen, etc.)

There is a general 2-metre distance requirement applying to all of KEA’s common areas such as canteen, café, library, workshops etc. You must wear a mask or a visor at KEA when you are indoors in common areas such as hallways, stairs, canteen, library, etc. The mask requirement does not apply when you participate in teaching and educational activities in classrooms and workshops.

The general 5-person assembly ban applies to social activities. It also applies to other activities and stays at KEA that are not linked to teaching, exams or the like.

Students and staff must follow the instructions given in each specific teaching situation and make sure to maintain a safe distance between each other. To help you do this, KEA has put up signs clearly indicating appropriate table positions, requirements to keep to the right on the connecting stairs and the maximum number of persons allowed in each room.

All students and staff must comply with the guides, stickers and wayfinding signs that are placed at entrances and inside KEA's buildings. You are not allowed to enter restricted areas and premises.

When having your lunch in the canteen, you must follow the distance and hygiene requirements. Please enjoy your food outside if the weather permits.

The use of lifts is reserved for technical staff and for students and employees with mobility impairments.
Protective equipment and cleaning

Students and staff must wear masks or visors at KEA when they are indoors in common areas such as hallways, stairs, canteen, library, etc. The mask requirement does not apply when conducting or participating in teaching and educational activities in classrooms and workshops. In specific situations where it is necessary due to health conditions, KEA may demand that you use protective equipment.

You must bring your own mask for use in common areas. You will still be given a mask if you participate in mask-requiring teaching activities. In case of emergency, the reception may provide masks.

KEA has introduced stricter cleaning requirements according to health authorities' recommendations. You must be prepared to give KEA's cleaning staff space to carry out their work, which will be an ongoing process during the daytime.

Staff and students staying at KEA must make sure to frequently wash and sanitise their hands and also do so both on arrival at and departure from KEA. KEA has put up posters indicating where you may wash your hands and find hand sanitiser, as well as instructions on how to handle hygiene and distance requirements in KEA's buildings.

You will also find specific guidelines on the use of machinery, tools, protective equipment, etc. in each room. Staff and students are obliged to read and follow these instructions.
Use of own equipment

Several times a day, students and staff must wipe any equipment that they bring themselves, e.g. tablets, laptops etc. cannot share their equipment with others.
Exams (behaviour and guests)

To ensure that exams are carried out according to sound and healthy precautions, there will, as a starting point, be no admittance to exams for others than the individual student, examiner and co-examiner.

At the use of personal protective equipment, students may be asked to identify themselves to the examiner and the co-examiner before the beginning of an exam. The student does this by temporarily removing the protective equipment from his/her face, keeping safe social distancing in the exam room.

No family or friends are allowed to stay at KEA before, during or after an exam.
Smoking

To minimise stays on KEA's areas, there is a temporary smoking ban at KEA's locations. The smoking sheds are closed and cannot not be used.
Social events

At café events, gatherings in student forums or other social events, the general guidelines on distancing etc. must be followed. No parties are allowed, and the student bars are still closed for open events.

KEA may at any time warn about the use of and conduct in KEA's buildings with reference to KEA's Code of Conduct “mit.kea.dk/en/studyguide/a-e#conduct, which stipulates that "Everyone at KEA is obliged to observe the general and the safety regulations” and “Both students and employees at KEA must be considerate of others and see to it that everyone at KEA is able to work and study in a constructive, open and undisturbed environment”. Any breach can be sanctioned on that basis.
Contact

KEA HR acts as a single-entry point for general issues and management of coronavirus at KEA. Questions can be directed to HR@KEA.DK.

KEA's students can find updated information about the situation on my.kea.dk.

Students with specific questions about classes, should contact their programme. Contact KEA Study and Career Guidance if you have questions about your course of study, SU, leave, etc.; Contact KEA Study Administration at studielyg@kea.dk, about illness.

You can also see the Danish authorities' site, politi.dk/coronavirus-i-danmark/in-english

Guidelines in case of illness

General info

KEA continuously follows the developments and, as a general rule, we follow the government recommendations on the management of coronavirus/COVID-19.

Students are allowed on KEA’s premises if they do not have symptoms of illness. This means that if you have symptoms of illness, you must stay at home until you have recovered.

In relation to COVID-19, you are considered recovered when 48 hours have passed since your symptoms ceased. You can then come back to KEA.
Procedure for handling outbreaks of Covid-19 at KEA
1. A student who has been diagnosed with Covid-19 calls in sick by contacting their teacher or KEA Study Administration at studielyg@kea.dk.
2. KEA obtains contact information on the person concerned and informs the infected person that he/she will be contacted by KEA HR (KEA's HR department) and the Danish Patient Safety Authority. KEA will then stay in close contact with the Danish Patient Safety Authority and follow their instructions in relation to infection detection and other actions concerning those affected.
3. If the student is present at KEA, he/she should then go home and isolate him/herself in relation to cohabitants – as well as follow the health authorities' guidelines in the given situation.
4. In order to reduce the spread of infection, KEA will send home the entire class, to which the infected student is affiliated, and ask them to keep informed about their ‘stay-at-home’ situation on their KEA-mail. The fellow students who have been sent home will be asked to take a Covid-19 test on the 4th day and again on the 6th day (control test) after the risk of infection has been identified. We therefore recommend that you book time for testing on coronaprover.dk. as soon as possible. In our experience, new tests for booking are constantly being added, so if you cannot book a test, or the location or time are not convenient, try again a few hours later.
5. During the ‘stay-at-home’ period, the students are advised to pay extra attention to maintaining social distancing, using hand sanitiser and washing their clothes when they get home.
6. If an entire class is sent home, KEA will immediately convert the teaching to a digital format. We will provide further information about this on KEA-mail and Fronter.
7. Once a student has received a negative test response, he or she can return to KEA. This already applies to the test on the fourth day, even though a control test is carried out two days later. Keep an eye on Fronter to find out how long classes will be carried out on-line, so that those of you who have been sent home are able to follow the teaching. After all, it is not certain that everyone will get answers at the same time, just as there may be academic considerations speaking in favour of maintaining online teaching for a period of time.
If you get ill

If a student gets symptoms of illness while at KEA, they must go home as soon as possible and stay there until 48 hours after the symptoms have ceased. If you suspect Covid-19, contact your doctor.

If a student who has been on KEA’s premises is diagnosed with COVID-19, KEA must be informed. Do so to studielyg@kea.dk. The student and KEA Study Administration must agree who will inform the staff and other students at KEA who have been in close contact with the covid-19 infected person. If the infected person gives permission, KEA may provide this information.

It is a requirement of the health authorities' guidelines that, in the case of infection, staff and students who have been in close contact with the infected person must be informed so they can pay particular attention to any signs of disease and, to a greater extent, follow the general advice on good hygiene. As a starting point, however, they are still allowed on KEA’s premises.

According to the Danish Health Authority, close contact occurs where a person has not been able to keep their distance with a few colleagues and fellow students.

In most work situations, therefore, it will not be a case of close contact if you have complied with the applicable distance and hand hygiene requirements.
IF SOMEONE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD HAS COVID-19

People diagnosed with COVID-19 are advised to self-isolate in their home, as far as possible away from others in the household, and to avoid physical contact with other persons in the home.

Students living in a household with a person with COVID-19 must stay at home, keep their distance from the infected person as far as possible and contact their own doctor to be referred for testing. It is important that you comply with the Danish Health Authority's recommendations for behaviour and that you are extra attentive to any symptoms of COVID-19.

If you are tested negative, you can come back to KEA, but you must continue to be attentive of any symptoms of COVID-19.
PEOPLE AT INCREASED RISK

If you are at increased risk, you should generally pay attention to ensuring good hand hygiene, not shaking hands, keeping a safe distance and focus on cleaning. According to the Health Authority, the risk of infection is not higher in educational institutions than in the surrounding community and being on KEA’s premises is all right.

It is a medical assessment whether a person is at particular risk of a serious course of disease in the case of catching COVID-19. If on this background, you have reason for particular concern, you must contact your head of programme, who will assess the possibilities of finding a concrete and individual solution so you can continue your education.

Specific conditions at KEA, including the possibility of maintaining good hand hygiene and distance from others, must form part of this dialogue between the head of programme and the student who is at increased risk.

If you live in a household with a person at increased risk, you can, as a starting point, come to KEA’s premises, after a specific and individual assessment. Exceptional conditions, such as ongoing chemotherapy, may mean that special consideration needs to be taken. Contact your doctor if you’re in doubt.
RECORDING OF DATA IN CONNECTION WITH COVID-19 MEASURES AT KEA

KEA Study Administration registers the volume of inquiries concerning coronavirus from students, students possibly subject to rules of quarantine and/or corona infection as well as students assessed by their doctor as particularly vulnerable and needing special precautionary measures to protect them from infection. KEA only processes the personal data necessary for the prevention of infection, i.e. registration of name, social security number, place of education and the dates of presence at KEA.

If a person has been diagnosed with COVID-19, information on the risk of infection will be given to the staff and students having been in contact with the person at KEA in the preceding 14 days. This is set out in the directions by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science on the reopening of higher educational institutions.

The data will be deleted when the health authorities assess that there is no longer a risk of coronavirus spread in Denmark.

KEA Study Administration daily reports to KEA HR about the development of inquiries from students to ensure a comprehensive overview of the number of staff and students covered by these measures.
GUIDELINES AT KEA

These guidelines have been laid down to ensure a sound healthy reopening of prioritised activities at KEA during a phase-in period. They are based on the firm expectation that everyone will comply with them out of respect for the situation we find ourselves in during this period and out of comprehensive concern to shield and protect vulnerable people from COVID-19.

KEA may at any time warn about the use of and conduct in KEA's buildings with reference to KEA's Code of Conduct, https://mit.kea.dk/en/studyguide/a-e#conduct, which stipulates that "Everyone at KEA is obliged to observe the general and the safety regulations” and that “Both students and employees at KEA must be considerate of others and see to it that everyone at KEA is able to work and study in a constructive, open and undisturbed environment”. Any breach shall be sanctioned on that basis.
CONTACT

KEA's students can find updated information about the situation on mit.kea.dk/eng/. If you have specific questions about classes, you are welcome to contact your programme.

On diagnosis of COVID-19, students must inform KEA Study Administration at studielyg@kea.dk.

You can also see the Danish authorities' site, https://politi.dk/coronavirus-i-danmark/in-english.

Frequently asked questions

We have collected the most frequently asked questions in an FAQ which you can find below.

KEA encourages all students to follow the recommendations by the Danish Health Authorities, The Danish Police, as well as the travel guidelines by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Teaching and study activity

What form will teaching at KEA take in spring 2021?

In spring 2021, teaching at KEA will be physical classes, streaming as well as digital teaching. You will be notified by your programme of the form of teaching in the respective subjects/modules that you will be having in the coming semester. You will also be able to tell from your KEA timetable whether teaching is physical or digital.

Do I still have to prove active enrolment?

Yes, you still have to be active as a student and maintain your active enrolment, even if your learning to some extent takes place digitally from home.

What happens if I cannot complete my programme within the prescribed maximum study time?

If, owing to the exceptional circumstances, you’re unable to complete your programme within the prescribed maximum study period, you may extend your study period. Apply for this through SDBF.
Emptying lockers and picking up belongings

Can I pick up my things and empty my locker?

Yes. The buildings are closed but it will be possible to make an arrangement to be let in between 10:00 - 12:00 every weekday by calling +45 20364532.
Internship

What should I do, if I must take public transportation (bus, train og metro) to get to the internship company?

You must continously keep yourself informed about the guidelines of the Danish authorities regarding use of public transportation and follow them.

What happens if my internship company decides that I and the company’s employees must work from home?

Even though KEA require that you are physically present in the company during work placement internship, the current extraordinary situation means that you can still continue the internship even though you must work from your own home for a period of time.

You agree directly with the company how it is done if you must do internship from home (which tasks you must do, who you can contact in case of questions or need for feedback etc.). If you are in doubt about anything, you are always welcome to call or email the internship coordinator (find contact info on https://mit.kea.dk/en/internship).
Exams
Could there be changes to the exams I will be taking?

Yes, changes might occur.

In the event of exceptional circumstances, KEA may derogate from the curriculum applying to any of KEA’s programmes. The current situation owing to coronavirus falls under exceptional circumstances.

Your head of programme can decide if KEA will deviate from the exam forms described in your programme curriculum. An exam described as a project with an oral defence could for example be changed to consist of a written hand-in only. Further, a decision might be made to conduct the exam on Teams or another platform used at KEA.

In such cases, you will be informed by your programme in due time for you to adapt to the exam form before the hand-in/exam. Another change could be postponement of a delivery deadline.

Finally, an exam might be postponed in relation to the scheduled time, at short notice.

If changes are made, you will be notified through your KEA email, Fronter or one of KEA's IT systems. If you have any questions, ask the staff on your programme.

Where changes are made, the programme management will pay consideration to ECTS, so that students to the extent possible can achieve the points planned for the semester.

Will I be going to the planned oral exams?

KEA has the right to derogate from programme curriculums in situations as the current one with COVID-19. Therefore, make sure to keep up-to-date on KEA's IT-systems with notifications about any deviations from the programme curriculum that your head of Programme might find necessary to carry through your exams. It is your duty to take the exams or hand in deliveries in the form announced by KEA.

What should I do if I'm going to an online exam?

Due to COVID-19, KEA may decide that your exam will be carried out online. Below you will find guidance on online examination at KEA. This includes how to prepare and what to pay special attention to as a student.
- READ MORE ABOUT EXAMS IN THE STUDY GUIDE
- READ INSTRUCTIONS FOR STUDENTS ON ONLINE EXAMS
What should do if I get ill before an exam?

If acute illness prevents you from taking part in an exam or in handing in your exam assignment, you must fill in and upload the SDBF form, ”Sygemelding akut/Notification of illness acute” IMMEDIATELY and before 16 hrs on the date of the exam/delivery of your exam project!

NOTE! If you have not reported sick through SDBF within the time limit, your notification will not be accepted and you will have used an exam attempt.
Study guidance

I need guidance on my course of study and help with the challenges this situation has put me in. Where can I get help?

KEA Study and Career Guidance offers confidential and non-binding conversations about your study and anything affecting your study in this unusual situation. KEA Study and Career Guidance does not offer physical meetings at the moment, but you will be able to talk to your study counsellor by phone.

You can contact KEA Study and Career Guidance at: STUDIEVEJLEDNING@KEA.DK or kea.dk/en/programmes/contact
SU - Danish Students’ Grants and Loan Scheme

Will I get SU if I do not show up at my place of study e.g. because my classes are online?

Yes. SU is paid to students in advance and on a monthly basis. You must maintain active enrolment and therefore remain active as a student to the extent possible. However, SU payments that need to be processed manually may be delayed.

What should I do if my studies are delayed due to COVID-19?

You are assumed to be active as a student from home to the extent possible. Therefore, your SU payments will remain unchanged. If your studies are delayed due to the COVID-19 situation, you can apply for extra clips for your SU frame and grant period. A decision will be made for each specific case and each individual SU applicant. You must be able to prove that there is a direct causal relation between the delay in your studies and the COVID-19 situation.

Can I maintain my status as employee even if I cannot work for a period of time due to COVID-19?

In the period March-June 2020, the Danish authorities' recommendations to citizens and businesses in connection with COVID-19 may have meant that you were not able to work as normal. This is taken into account when your status as an employee is assessed.

From July 2020, Denmark has reopened with the exception of very few industries. Therefore, you are expected to resume your normal business activity from 1 July 2020.

If you are employed in one of the few industries that remain covered by the close-down in July and August 2020, you must submit a solemn declaration from your employer. The declaration must include your employer's signature, CVR number and company stamp. It must appear from the declaration that the reason why you cannot work 10-12 hours per week in those two months is the continued shutdown due to COVID-19.

If you are employed in an industry, that has not shut down but is still very much affected by the COVID-19 situation, you must send a solemn declaration from your employer. The declaration must include your employer's signature, CVR number and company stamp. It must also explain that, as a result of COVID-19, your workplace cannot offer you the number of hours in July and August that you normally work. Further, it must appear from the declaration why the number of your working hours has been reduced, e.g. fewer customers or reduced opening hours.

The documentation submitted will always be assessed individually.

Note that if you are on holiday, you must provide documentation for it, regardless of your kind of employment and whether or not you are covered by compensation. If you have been given notice of termination of your employment, follow the instructions for 'involuntarily unemployed'.

As a rule, you must have had the status of employee in the period leading up to the time when you are temporarily unable to work due to the Danish authorities' recommendations in connection with COVID-19. This also applies if you receive notice of termination of your employment. A individual assessment will always be made, but as a starting point you are expected to have worked at least 10-12 hours each week for a continuous period of 10 weeks up to the time when you stopped working.

How should I deal with the requirements for active enrolment?

The six-monthly active enrolment check for higher education students will be carried out as normal. If you began your studies on 1 July 2016 or later, controls will check if you are delayed more than 6 months (equivalent to 30 ECTS). If you are more than 6 months delayed in your studies, you will receive a notice of consultation of parties involved from the Danish SU Agency.

Students estimated by the check as being more than 6 months late in their studies were delayed prior to the COVID-19 measures. Therefore, students cannot be declared inactive due to delays caused by the COVID-19 measures.
IT

Where can I get help for IT problems?

Contact KEA Service Desk on tel 46 46 00 46 or by email to servicedesk@kea.dk.

Can I access SBI databases from home?

You have remote access to all KEA’s databases (except Molio Price Data). Use your KEA email and password for remote access. If you have problems signing in, write to KEA Library at library@kea.dk.

Read more here: bibliotek.kea.dk/en/library/collection

Can I record my lessons on Teams?

As a rule, you are not allowed to record your lessons on Teams. If you wish to record the lessons, you must have permission from all participants , and you must agree with the others when to delete the video, where to place it and how to use it If you need help deleting a video that you recorded, please write to KEA Service Desk servicedesk@kea.dk. KEA Service Desk needs to know who recorded the video and the date and time of the recording.
Library

Is the library open?

It will not be possible to visit the library, but you can still borrow books!

All you have to do is log into the LIBRARY CATALOGUE and reserve the books you'd like to borrow. We’ll then send you an email with information on when and where to pick up the books.

It is important that you do not show, till you’ve received an email with our confirmation.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to write an email to library@kea.dk and we will find a solution.

Note: Don’t worry if you have books on loan at home. All loans have been renewed until 7th of January 2021.

Can I get help and guidance?

If you need research guidance, or if you have problems logging onto databases or have questions in general, you can contact KEA Library at bibliotek@kea.dk.

On KEA Library’s platform, Study Skills, you’ll find lots of useful inspiration to boost your writing, select the best sources for your paper, make a perfect list of references, sharpen your research and on how to prepare for your coming exam: bibliotek.kea.dk/en/studyskills.

You’ll find tips and information about online exams at KEA Library’s STUDYAID on KEA Library's website: https://bibliotek.kea.dk/en.

You’ll find copies of previous students’ final projects - all papers available here were graded 10 or 12: https://studkea.sharepoint.com/sites/keaopgaver

Can I access SBI databases from home?

You have remote access to all KEA’s databases (except the Danish Molio Prisdata). You get remote access via your KEA email and password. If you have problems logging on, contact KEA Library on library@kea.dk.

Read more here: bibliotek.kea.dk/en/library/collection
Exchange students at KEA

IMPORTANT: BE AWARE OF ENTRY RESTRICTIONS TO DENMARK

There are entry restrictions at the borders of Denmark, and some internationals can only enter the country, if they have a valid reason, a so-called worthy purpose.

Read about the worthy purposes here:

politi.dk/en/corona-virus-covid-19-in-denmark/faq-of-the-ministry-of-foreign-affairs-of-denmark

Read more about the entry restrictions here:

politi.dk/coronavirus-i-danmark/in-english/minstry-of-justice-12-03-2020

Read everything about the covid-19 situation in Denmark here:

politi.dk/en/coronavirus-in-denmark

Do I have to wear a face mask in Denmark?

It is not (yet) mandatory to wear a face mask in Denmark, and you might not see as many people wearing one as in your home country. If you feel better at ease wearing a face mask, you are welcome to do so, i.e. when going grocery shopping or taking public transport. You can buy certified face masks (type II) in all pharmacies (“apotek”).

Can I go to the gym?

Yes, all gyms are re-opened, however with a lot of sanitary restrictions. We suggest you go for a run instead and keep your distance.

Can I go shopping?

Yes, all shops and boutiques are open. You will find devices for hand disinfection at the entrance doors. It is not required to wear a face mask when going shopping, but some shops limit the number of people allowed inside.

What if I start feeling ill?

If you start experiencing symptoms or if someone close to you develops symptoms, you should do the following: 

1. Contact your Danish doctor via the number on your CPR Card (or the Medical Helpline 1813, after regular business hours or in the weekend). Do not show up at the doctor’s office or the hospital unless they ask you to.

2. Stay in your residence and limit physical contact with others.

Find guidance on the websites of the Danish Health Authorities and the Danish Police.

What if I feel anxious and concerned?  

You can always contact one of the international coordinators via email or phone. You can also contact a student counsellor from KEA for personal guidance and counselling.

Find contact information of the international coordinators here:

global.kea.dk/contact-us

Find contact information of your student counselor on the website of your programme:

kea.dk/en/programmes

What if I want to go home or my family wants me home? 

We would be understanding if you felt a need to go home, should there be a negative evolvement of the COVID-19 situation in Denmark. This is unlikely to happen, but if it does, and if you do decide to return home, we cannot guarantee your ECTS credits however. Also remember that there is a risk of exposing yourself to the virus if you travel.

We want to make clear to you that we currently do not consider it dangerous for you to live in Denmark. Teaching at KEA will happen in a controlled manner, with safe distance to other students and teachers. KEA follows all rules and regulations set by the Danish Ministry of Health, and we have refurbished all campuses and classrooms, so all sanitary requirements are being met. We urge you to follow all precautions from KEA and from the authorities whilst on campus.

Any change regarding your exchange stay must be communicated to your home institution and to KEA GLOBAL.
Exchange students from KEA who are abroad
Who do I speak to if I’m concerned about my exchange?

You must contact your local international office and your international coordinator at KEA:
- International Coordinator DESIGN: Hanne Vang Hansen (havh@kea.dk), +45 29468218 
- International Coordinator DIGITAL: Anne Dibbern (annd@kea.dk), +45 40883665 
- International Coordinator BUILD/TECH: Andreas Berger (andb@kea.dk),
  +45 21480134
Is it safer in my host country or in Denmark?

This is impossible to say. It might be safest for you to stay in your host country because all travel and transit can contain risks. You might however end in quarantine in the country of destination, since some countries ask for incoming visitors to isolate themselves for a certain number of days or weeks. You can see the daily updates of the different countries here on the website of the World Health Organisation www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/travel-advice.

In Denmark, we have a very good and stable health system, prepared for dealing with COVID-19. This might also be the case for your host country. We advise you to follow the local guidelines and to read information from the national health organisations.

What do I do if i can only get online teaching?

If your host university offers online teaching only, you are still expected to go abroad to your exchange destination. If you receive the ERASMUS+ grant, you will be entitled to keep it. However, you will lose the grant (and will have to pay it back), if you access the online teaching of your host university from Denmark or from another country, i.e. your home country.

Remember to inform your international coordinator, if the forms and/or methods of teaching change unexpectedly, and/or if your subjects are being changed. In that case, your learning agreement would have to be amended accordingly.

What do I do if it isn’t possible to leave my host country after the exchange?

If leaving the country is impossible due to force majeure and/or the corona situation, you have to inform your international coordinator at KEA. You might also be able to get guidance from your home country’s embassy or consulate. Finally, you might be able to get help to return to Denmark, your permanent country of residence by contacting the hotline of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs: bbb@um.dk or +4533921112.

If I interrupt my exchange prematurely because of a coronavirus outbreak, will I get my accommodation cost and my flight ticket refunded?

You must consult your local housing provider and read your rental contract to determine whether you have the right to stop your lease and get a refund. You also have to consult the conditions of your travel insurance to find out, if they will cover the cost of extra flight tickets or a changed booking. KEA does not have insurance to cover this kind of unforeseen expenses.

Do I fail my semester, if I interrupt my exchange?

In order not to fail the semester and to prevent you from having to repeat it, your international coordinator at KEA will do everything possible to help you. However, KEA cannot guarantee that you will earn full credit if you interrupt your exchange semester.

We will ask the host university to provide you with e-learning opportunities to catch up as many credits as possible, and at the same time your programme at KEA will prepare compensatory assignments and projects to fill the gap between already achieved credits and the required 30 ECTS.

What do i do if i haven’t got enough money to buy a new flight ticket/trip back to Denmark?

Firstly, you must contact your travel agency and/or your airline to investigate whether they can change your booking. You are also advised to contact your travel insurance to get to know the exact terms and conditions of refund/re-booking etc. If you cannot afford a new ticket by yourself, you should contact family and friends for financial support. KEA cannot pay for any extra cost related to your exchange, but the ERASMUS+ programme might provide some compensation, if you can document the unforeseen expenses.

Where can I get an update about the Corona virus situation in Denmark and at my current place of residency?

You can get an update on my.kea.dk, on KEA's website and on KEA GLOBAL’s website. You should also follow the link to the Danish Health Authorities. Your host institution is obliged to inform you via their intranet, SoMe or other official communication channels about the current updates.

We also advise that you ask locals to translate the main conclusions of the national daily news for you if you do not speak the local language. You can also get information through the national representation of your home country (embassy, consulate) in your host country.

If I want to go home to my home country, rather than to Denmark, am I allowed to do so?

KEA cannot forbid you to go back to your home country if you feel unsafe at your exchange destination. If you interrupt your exchange however, you must always inform your international coordinator and your contact person at the host institution about your intended destination (city/region/country) and possible transit countries.

Do I have to pay back my Erasmus+ grant?

It depends on the individual situation whether you have to return part or all of your Erasmus+ scholarship as a result of interrupted Erasmus+ exchange or traineeship. There are clear guidelines on the extent to which you can keep your Erasmus+ grant if your Erasmus+ exchange or traineeship is interrupted.

If your Erasmus+ exchange stay is interrupted, your international coordinator will deal with your specific case. The coordinator will tell you how to proceed and whether you’ll have to return parts or all of your Erasmus+ grant. As a general rule, you can keep your Erasmus+ grant for the period you’ve stayed abroad.

Other expenses that are not covered by the Erasmus+ grant, such as prepaid rent or transport in connection with an interrupted Erasmus+ exchange or traineeship stay, may be covered in accordance with the Programme’s "Force Majeure" guidelines. Again, your international coordinator deals with your specific case.

Earlier updates

Read earlier updates on covid-19 at KEA

29 Dec // A message from the rector

Dear students

First of all, we hope you've all had a good Christmas.

At the recently held press conference, the government extended the current nationwide restrictions. This means that the situation regarding teaching, exams and attendance at KEA in January is unfortunately the same as the one announced by Rector’s office on 16 December.

So far, the government's extension applies until 17 January, but at KEA we plan according to the current restrictions until the end of January. If the restrictions are then eased, we will try to use the opportunities it may provide and we will, of course, inform you of this. In relation to any changes on the individual programmes, you will continue to be informed directly by your programme concerning teaching and examination.

We are keeping our fingers crossed that together we can bring down the infection so much that we can soon meet physically again at KEA.

We wish you all a very happy New Year. Take care of yourselves and each other.

Best regards
Steen Enemark Kildesgaard
Rector
16 Dec // A message from the rector

Dear students

Last week, the government imposed new restrictions, which apply until 3 January. As we informed you earlier, the new restrictions mean i.a. that all teaching and all exams, with a few exceptions, must be done digitally here in December.

The infection rate continues to increase in the metropolitan area and so far, there is no indication that this trend is reversing. It also means that, as it stands, the restrictions will most likely be extended into January. In order to create predictability about exam preparations, we have decided that throughout January, KEA plans all teaching and exams in accordance with the current restrictions. This means that physical exams and physical teaching at KEA will take place only in exceptional cases. You will be notified by your programme about your teaching and exams.

If the restrictions are eased, we will try to use the opportunities it may provide and we will, of course, inform you of this.

Pay attention if you need to travel at Christmas

Part of you will probably be visiting family in Denmark or travelling abroad at Christmas. In this regard, we ask you to pay extra attention to the authorities' guidelines and recommendations – both the Danish authorities’ and those of the country where you plan to go. Get more information on https://coronasmitte.dk/en and https://um.dk/en/travel-and-residence/

On the following link you can also find more questions and answers about e.g. self-isolation upon returning to Denmark: https://um.dk/en/travel-and-residence/coronavirus-covid-19/

Get tested before Christmas

Authorities are urging all 15- to- 25-year-olds to take Covid-19 tests ahead of Christmas. That includes a lot of you, too. KEA supports that call. Temporary test centres are regularly opened around the Copenhagen metropolitan area.

See a list of the test sites in the Capital Region here: https://www.regionh.dk/Sundhed/Akut-hj%C3%A6lp/1813/Adresser%20akutmodtagelser%20og%20klinikker/Sider/Find-vej-og-parkering-ved-TestCenter-Danmark-telte.aspx (only in Danish)

Stay up to date

In our experience, the authorities' guidelines change frequently, so be sure to stay informed on KEA's intranet for students at https://mit.kea.dk/en/corona-virus/

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Whether you plan to spend the holidays in Copenhagen, elsewhere in Denmark or abroad, I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year on behalf of all of KEA! 2020 has certainly not been an easy year to navigate through, but together we have shown that it can be done. Thank you very much for your "COVID-19-safe behaviour" at KEA and for taking good care of each other.

We look forward to seeing you at KEA in 2021.

Best regards
Steen Enemark Kildesgaard.
Rector
7 Dec // A message from the rector
Dear students

In order to combat the ever-increasing spread of Covid-19 in a large part of Denmark, including the Metropolitan Area, today Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced new restrictions.

The new restrictions affect KEA and apply from 9 December to 3 January.

The restrictions mean the following:
- The teaching at KEA is being converted into digital teaching. There may be a few exceptions in cases where attendance is necessary, e.g. when working in KEA's workshops.
- Exams will also be held digitally unless it is impossible in practice.
- As a student, you will be notified as soon as possible by your head of programme in relation to the specifics.
- Unfortunately, it will no longer be possible to meet to do group work at KEA.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, 8 December, it will be possible for you to pick up your things at KEA. It will then be possible to pick up things at KEA for specified periods of time in the coming days. We will give you details of this at mit.kea.dk tomorrow, 8 December.

The opening hours of the library in Guldbergsgade will be limited to 2 hours per day until Christmas. It is thus possible for students to borrow and return books and get help by mail or Teams. Further information on this can be found at bibliotek.kea.dk from tomorrow 8 December.

Nationwide restrictions extended

Restrictions previously imposed have been extended until 28 February 2021. See https://mit.kea.dk/en/.

Stay up to date

In our experience, the authorities' guidelines change frequently, so be sure to stay informed on KEA's intranet for students at https://mit.kea.dk/en/corona-virus/en

Thank you so much for keeping your distance and sanitising your hands and equipment. That way, you help limit the spread of infection.

Let us all take good care of each other!

On behalf of all of KEA,

My very best regards,
Steen Enemark Kildesgaard.
Rector
2 Dec // A message from the rector
Dear students

The spread of Covid-19 continues to increase in the Copenhagen area, and especially young people aged 20-29 years are the ones who become infected. That is why yesterday the government announced new restrictions and recommendations that apply from 7 December to 2 January.

We need to reduce our physical presence at KEA

The new guidelines and recommendations for KEA as a higher education institution are as follows
- It is recommended to convert into digital teaching and exams where possible. Special consideration may be given to the progress and quality of the study.
- A general reduction in the overall physical activity in the institutions is recommended.
- In all higher education, close attention should be paid to not showing up with symptoms of illness, to hand hygiene, cleaning, distance and face masks.
- The focus should be on well-being and digital study friends.
Each head of programme and the rest of KEA's management will prepare a plan for how the new guidelines affect you (teaching and exam) and as a student you will get concrete information about the progamme-specific measures taken from your teachers and head of programme.

Much of the teaching is likely to be converted into digital teaching, but in cases where access to special equipment and the like is required, or there are other good reasons for doing so, teaching and exams will continue to be physically carried out at KEA.

We encourage you to do group work online, but if that is not possible or if it is necessary in order to ensure the quality of your work, you can meet physically at KEA.

Of course, when you are physically present at KEA – in relation to e.g. teaching, group work and exams – you must continue to pay close attention to following the guidelines previously reported: Keep your distance, use face masks where required and keep a good hygiene by frequently sanitising and washing your hands. And of course, you must stay at home if you are ill or in self-isolation – even if the exam is approaching.

Young people urged to get tested

Authorities are urging all 15- to 25-year-olds to take Covid-19 tests ahead of Christmas. That includes a lot of you, too. KEA supports that call. Authorities will increase test capacity and test offers to cope with the increased demand.

News about travel at Christmas

We have previously informed you of the need to self-isolate for 14 days upon returning from a country defined as "orange" by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expected to revise their travel advice in early December to take into account regional differences in coronavirus infections in each country. In this context, the guidelines on self-isolation are also expected to be changed. Therefore, we encourage you to follow the authorities' guidelines if you plan to travel at Christmas – both the Danish authorities’ and those of the country where you plan to go.

Stay up to date

In our experience, the authorities' guidelines change frequently, so be sure to stay informed on KEA's intranet for students at https://mit.kea.dk/en/corona-virus/en

Thank you for your efforts

I know that the restrictions are irritating and cause inconvenience, but the situation is serious and therefore we must all contribute to reducing the spread of infection. At yesterday's press conference, the higher education institutions were commended by the health authorities for the efforts made so far. Our joint efforts have contributed to the fact that the infection has not spread more in our institutions than it has. You can all be proud of that.

Thank you so much for keeping your distance and sanitising your hands and equipment. That way, you help limit the spread of infection.

Let us all take good care of each other!

On behalf of all of KEA,

My very best regards,
Steen Enemark Kildesgaard.
Rector
25 Nov // A message from the rector

Dear students

It's time for a corona update with news on guidelines and an extension of the assembly ban from the government. We’ll also try to give some answers to some of the things that we know are close to you.

The corona pandemic continues to take up a lot of everyday life at KEA, and fortunately everything suggests that our combined efforts limit the spread of infection at KEA. Although infection continues to be found among KEA's students and staff, it is spread across teams, classes, programmes and locations. We cannot detect chains of infection at KEA, and the number of cases of infection per week has been low and stable since the start of study. Let's maintain the good habits: remember to sanitise our hands, keep our distance and wear masks. Also remember to clean surfaces on e.g. tables when you leave a room.

The assembly ban is extended and the ban on social events continues to apply

On Friday, the government announced that the assembly ban of a maximum of 10 people has been extended until 13 December 2020. However, the assembly ban does not apply to teaching at KEA. If an event has participants from outside, you may still only be a maximum of 10 people together.

The ban on social events held physically continues to apply until 2 January 2021.

What about Christmas and exams?

Christmas and exams are approaching, and here too corona precautions will come into play. Exams with physical attendance are largely held as planned, but in some cases, we have decided to reschedule the exam from physical to online. If your programme has chosen to convert a physical exam into an online exam or allows you to choose to take the exam online, you will soon be notified.

We know that several of you plan to travel at Christmas – for example, home to family. In this case, you should be aware of travel restrictions and quarantine rules – both within Denmark (where there has just been a period of restrictions in North Jutland) and travel restrictions to and from abroad. You must comply with the authorities' instructions on quarantine, self-isolation, etc. Therefore, we advise you to include travel restrictions – both Danish and foreign – in your planning. The travel advice is constantly updated and you can find it on https://um.dk/en/travel-and-residence/coronavirus-covid-19/. The current guideline is that if you enter Denmark from an "orange" country (=the whole world except Greenland and the Faroe Islands), you must self-isolate for 14 days. You are not allowed to attend physical exams or classes if you are in self-isolation, and this may mean, for example, using an examination attempt. It is important to stress that travel instructions can change at short notice, so it is important that you stay up to date if you are going to travel.

Mask-free zones at KEA

We must maintain the good corona habits, but we also want to make everyday life at KEA as good as possible during this time. Therefore, KEA is now introducing new measures to ensure the best possible conditions for you as a student without compromising health care.

From now on, you will find "mask-free zones" at KEA. These are places where you can take off your mask while, for example, sitting at a table working. You can take off your mask when you sit down in one of the areas covered by the green sign shown below. Remember the mask when you get up again ;-)

Why don't we physically shut down the teaching at KEA?

Having discovered that the teaching can be received from home, several have asked us why we don’t shut down a larger part of the physical teaching at KEA.

However, keeping the higher education institutions physically open to teaching is a priority for the government. We are pleased about this, as the programmes at KEA are characterised by a good mix of theory and practice. In order for this to be implemented and to provide students with teaching of the best possible quality, we need to keep KEA open to physical teaching as much as the government's guidelines and practical conditions allow, so that students have access to equipment and workshops at KEA – and the physical dialogue with the teacher and each other.

KEA always follows the recommendations of the authorities, and it is a balancing act to be able to carry out the best possible teaching while ensuring that everything is done in a health-safe way so that everyone can feel safe. And as the recommendations change, the amount and forms of physical teaching at KEA will have to be constantly adjusted.

It is important to stress that we are doing everything we can to make you feel safe when you are physically present at KEA. KEA and the other higher educational institutions in Denmark have learnt that there is no major risk of infection in educational activities where the guidelines have been complied with. By complying with KEA’s guidelines during the corona pandemic, we can do our part to ensure that it continues.

Which corona tests are recognised at KEA?

If you need to be tested for covid-19, it is important that we can trust the test result. According to the health authorities' guidelines and recommendations, tests must be carried out in the Danish health care system, as quick tests/antigen tests are far from as reliable as the Danish health service's tests. However, if you test positive for covid-19 in a quick test, you must, as a precautionary measure, act as if you had tested positive with a test in the Danish health care system.

You can read more about different tests here: https://www.sst.dk/da/Nyheder/2020/Antigentest-boer-ikke-bruges-hvis-du-har-symptomer-paa-COVID-19-eller-er-naer-kontakt

If you test positive for covid-19, you must inform KEA about it on studielyg@kea.dk.

Stay up to date

In our experience, the authorities' guidelines change frequently, so be sure to stay informed on KEA's intranet for students at https://mit.kea.dk/en/corona-virus/en.

Thank you so much for keeping your distance and sanitising your hands and equipment. That way, you help limit the infection.

Let us all take good care of each other!

On behalf of all of KEA,

My very best regards,
Steen Enemark Kildesgaard.
Rector
26 Oct // A message from the rector
Dear KEA students

On Friday the government announced further restrictions and extended the temporary restrictions till the end of the year in order to reduce the rise in corona infections in our society.

The main changes for KEA are that students must wear masks/visors when moving about indoors in common areas and that the assembly ban has been lowered from 50 to 10 people. However, the 10-person assembly ban does not apply to educational activities and therefore teaching and other activities can continue to be physically carried out at KEA. We are very pleased about this, and we hope that it can continue if we keep remembering the requirements about social distancing, hygiene, etc., so that we reduce the spread of infection at KEA.

In more detail, the government's announcement means the following:

You must wear a mask or visor at KEA when you are indoors in common areas such as hallways, stairs, canteen, library, etc. The mask requirement does not apply when you participate in teaching and training activities in classrooms and workshops. In some cases where there is a particular risk of infection, KEA requires you to wear masks in teaching, e.g. if the adequate distance is impossible to keep. The students concerned are or have already been notified directly.
In addition, mask requirements (and exceptions) will be indicated by signs.

You must bring your own mask for use in common areas. You will still to be given a mask if you participate in teaching activities where this is a mask requirement. The guidelines will come into force on Thursday 29 October and will last until 2 January 2021. In case of emergency, the reception may provide masks.

So far, the 10-person assembly ban applies up to and including 22 November. Teaching, exams and the like where physical attendance is necessary are exempt from the assembly ban. The 10-person assembly ban applies to open events in which both students and others can participate.

The previous temporary restrictions have been extended until 2 January 2021.
- Teaching can continue to be conducted with the physical presence of both students and teachers according to the guidelines on social distancing, etc., which apply at KEA (see mit.kea.dk/en).
- Please continue to make sure NOT to show up at KEA if you have symptoms of illness. If you feel weak, stay home.
- All social events, regardless of size, must be cancelled or held online. But think creatively about whether social events can be held online!
- Avoid public transport if other means of transport are possible, especially in cases of overcrowding.
- When we are physically present at KEA, we must continue to follow the guidelines on adequate distance and hygiene.
Overall, the new guidelines mean that KEA can largely continue its activities as planned, with the use of masks and visors and a maximum of 10 participants in open events.

It is a priority of the government – which we are very pleased about - that educational institutions (in line with businesses, schools and day care centres) be kept open.

Unfortunately, physical social activities have been closed for the year- and we must therefore all come up with alternatives. KEA Student Life will in turn facilitate and support initiatives from and for students, and we will spread the good ideas in newsletters etc.

Stay up to date

In our experience, the authorities' guidelines change frequently, so be sure to stay informed on KEA's intranet for students at https://mit.kea.dk/en.

Thank you so much for keeping your distance, sanitising your hands and equipment and limiting the infection.

I hope that we’ll all take good care of each other!

On behalf of all of KEA,

My very best regards,

Steen Enemark Kildesgaard
Rector
9 Oct // A message from the rector
Dear students

Due to the situation with covid-19 in Denmark, the health authorities this week chose to extend the temporary restrictions in society until 31 October.

This means that the temporary guidelines we have previously written to you about have been extended provisionally until 31 October:
- All social events, regardless of size, must be cancelled or held online.
- When we are physically present at KEA, we must continue to follow the guidelines on adequate distance and hygiene.
- Avoid public transport if other means of transport are possible, especially in cases of overcrowding.
- Please continue to make sure NOT to show up at KEA if you have symptoms of illness. If you feel weak and have a cold, stay at home.
The extension of the restrictions also applies to the changes to the physical framework for your teaching, which you have been informed about in the past week.

Help us limit the spread of infection at KEA

We constantly keep an eye on the development of covid-19 both at KEA and in society as a whole and adjust our efforts to fight covid-19 as well as possible. This is why several hand sanitiser dispensers have been installed at KEA's addresses, and why we are continuously working to make it clear how many people can be in a classroom at a time etc. (the maximum number is calculated on the basis of the 1-metre distancing rule and the current layout of tables and chairs).

We must continue to do everything we can to limit any spread of infection at KEA, follow the guidelines on social distancing and hygiene, and stay at home if we are ill. In order for everyone to keep their distance as far as possible, extra attention must be paid to entrances and doors where congestion may occur. Make room for people on their way out to get out of a building or room before you go in. In classrooms and other rooms in general, you must, as far as possible, fill the seats farthest from the entrance first, so that the fewest people possible have to pass each other closely. If many of you have to exit a room at the same time, those closest to the door must go first. This minimises the amount of people who are forced to pass each other.

If it is possible to air the room, remember to do so regularly. We also turn up the air change via the ventilation systems as much as possible without any noise disturbances.

Stay up to date

In our experience, the authorities' guidelines change frequently, so be sure to stay informed on KEA's intranet for students at https://mit.kea.dk/en/corona-virus.

I hope that we’ll all take good care of each other!

The very best greetings,
Steen Enemark Kildesgaard.
Rector
30 Sep // A message from the rector
Dear students

Due to the still high number of confirmed cases of covid-19 in Denmark, the Ministry of Higher Education and Research has changed the guidelines for i.a. the physical framework for teaching in higher education institutions. The changes are not temporary, and we therefore expect them to apply at least until the end of this semester.

The new guidelines bring the following changes:
- The teaching situations, in which the general 1-metre distancing rule can be deviated from, are now limited.
- Unless the 1-metre distancing rule can be observed by all students, regardless of which class/team they belong to, it is no longer possible for several classes/teams to be taught together. Overall, this means that it will be more difficult to physically conduct teaching. Therefore, and as soon as possible, your head of programme will provide you with further information on how the changed guidelines will affect your teaching.
The previous temporary restrictions have been extended until 18 October:

The temporary restrictions, which we have previously written to you about, have been extended from 4 October to 18 October. That is to say:
- All social events, regardless of size, must be cancelled or held online.
- When we are physically present at KEA, we must continue to follow the guidelines on adequate distance and hygiene.
- Avoid public transport if other means of transport are possible, especially in cases of overcrowding.
- Please continue to make sure NOT to show up at KEA if you have symptoms of illness. If you feel weak and have a cold, stay at home.
Stay up to date

In our experience, the authorities' guidelines change frequently, so be sure to stay informed on KEA's intranet for students at https://mit.kea.dk/en/corona-virus

I hope that we all take good care of each other!

The very best greetings,
Steen Enemark Kildesgaard.
Rector
25 Sep // A message from the rector
Dear students

Recently, there has been a significant increase in the number of people infected with coronavirus in the Copenhagen area and the rest of the country.

Therefore, the health authorities have extended the specific measures that we have previously written to you about, and so far, these apply until 18 October.

The situation right now at KEA

Since the start of the semester on 24 August, there have been a few cases of students at KEA who have been found to be infected with covid-19. The cases of infection detected have been scattered across classes/teams and buildings. KEA and the Danish Patient Safety Authority have handled the individual cases of infection according to the procedure, which can be found on the student intranet at mit.kea.dk/en/corona-virus. In case of suspicion of possible spread of infection in a class/team, the entire class/team has been sent home and classes have been conducted online, while the students to be tested have been waiting for answers. Of course, if a teacher has been exposed to the risk of infection, he or she has also been tested.

Fortunately, the cases of infection in the individual classes/teams have not started major chains of infection in connection with the teaching at KEA. This is very encouraging, and you deserve a huge thank you for being so good at looking after each other whenever a team has experienced cases of infection.

Infection rate continues to rise

However, the increasing number of infections in Greater Copenhagen continues to underline the importance of limiting the infection:
- Please continue to make sure NOT to show up at KEA if you have symptoms of illness. If you feel weak and have a cold, stay at home.
- When we are physically present at KEA, we must continue to follow the guidelines on distance and hygiene, etc. The requirement of a minimum distance of 1 metre may be deviated from in classes, where you sit in regular groups/teams, but otherwise it applies everywhere, i.e. also in corridors, in the canteen, etc., where we meet across our social circle/regular teams. That is, anywhere other than in the teaching situation, everyone must keep a distance of one metre.
- All social events, regardless of size, must be cancelled or held online (applies at least until 18 October 2020).
- Avoid public transport if other means of transport are possible, especially in cases of overcrowding.
In the coming period, KEA will put up even more signs and inform even more about how we help each other to take care.

We know it's a weird time to be young. Your studies are different than you thought they should be, social events must not be carried out at your studies, restaurants and bars currently close at 22 pm etc.

The health authorities have created a brochure targeting you, offering a number of concrete advice on how to be social, work out, date and everything else that is part of being young – while helping to prevent the coronavirus from spreading. You can read the brochure here (only available in Danish).

If you have comments or other good ideas about how we can help each other at and outside KEA, please send them to kommunikation@kea.dk

Stay up to date

In our experience, the authorities' guidelines change frequently, so be sure to stay informed on KEA's intranet for students at mit.kea.dk/en/corona-virus/.

I wish you well and hope that we all take good care of each other!

The very best greetings
Steen Enemark Kildesgaard
Rector
22 Sep // A message from the rector
Dear students

As we wrote to you last time, there is an increase in coronavirus infection in the Copenhagen area, and unfortunately it has continued in recent weeks. Therefore, the health authorities have introduced new measures targeting nightlife and the restaurant industry in the metropolitan area to limit the spread of infection. This means e.g. that bars, cafes and so on must close at 22.00. In addition, the authorities have a clear call for "events, celebrations and celebrations in private homes not to be held with anyone other than the nearest social circle".

There are NO new measures or guidelines for KEA's teaching activities, which will continue as planned.

However, the previous temporary restrictions have been extended until 4 October:
- All social events, regardless of size, must be cancelled or held online.
- When we are physically present at KEA, we must continue to follow the guidelines on distance and hygiene, etc. The requirement of a minimum distance of 1 metre may be deviated from in classes, where you sit in regular groups/teams, but otherwise it applies everywhere, i.e. also in corridors, in the canteen, etc., where we meet across our social circle/regular teams.
- Avoid public transport if other means of transport are possible, especially in cases of overcrowding.
- Please continue to make sure NOT to show up at KEA if you have symptoms of illness. If you feel weak and have a cold, stay at home.
The continued tightening of restrictions is of course frustrating, but the restrictions have been introduced, among other things, in order to avoid the need to shut down KEA and the other educational institutions.

At the same time, the restrictions are a reminder that we all need to pay close attention to our behaviour – both at and outside KEA. We must keep a good distance to people outside our regular social circle/ team on our programme, avoid large gatherings where we meet across programmes, reduce social activities that include close contact to other people, sanitise our hands frequently and do everything possible not to expose ourselves to the risk of infection. In short, we must take care of ourselves and each other.

In our experience, the authorities' guidelines change frequently, so be sure to stay informed on KEA's intranet for students at https://mit.kea.dk/en/corona-virus.

On behalf of all of KEA,
My very best regards,
Steen Enemark Kildesgaard.
Rector
8 Sep // A message from the rector
Dear KEA students

Recently, there has been an increase in the number of people infected with coronavirus in i.a. the Copenhagen area and especially in the age group 20-29 years, which includes many of you. Therefore, the Health Authorities have introduced new measures to limit the spread of infection. The new Covid-19 restrictions are provisionally in force until 4 October and primarily apply to life outside KEA. It also means that you need to pay close attention to your behaviour outside of KEA. Keep a good distance, avoid large gatherings, sanitise your hands frequently and do everything possible not to expose yourself to the risk of infection.

However, all teaching at KEA is happily continuing as planned, as the teaching itself is not subject to the new restrictions. The 100-person assembly ban is reduced to 50 people, but the assembly ban does NOT apply to educational activities. You can still receive teaching even if you are more than 50 people together as long as you comply with the guidelines on distance and permanent groups/classes, as has been the case since the start of the semester.

At KEA, however, the current situation also requires that we pay extra attention:
- All social events, regardless of size, which have not already been cancelled, must be cancelled.
- When we are physically present at KEA, we must continue to follow the guidelines on distance and hygiene, etc. The requirement of a minimum distance of 1 metre may be deviate from in classes, but otherwise it applies everywhere, i.e. also in corridors, in the canteen, etc.
- Avoid public transport if other means of transport are possible, especially in cases of overcrowding.
- Please continue to make sure NOT to show up at KEA if you have symptoms of illness. If you feel weak and have a cold, stay at home.
With the above, we hope that we can help reduce the spread of infection and avoid another lockdown of KEA and the other educational institutions.

In our experience, the authorities' guidelines change frequently, so be sure to stay informed on KEA's intranet for students at https://my.kea.dk/en/corona-virus.

On behalf of KEA,

Kind regards,

Steen Enemark Kildesgaard
Rector
31 Aug // A message from the rector
Dear students

We are very happy to have you back and to be able to teach you again in KEA's buildings. The practical element of our programmes had difficult conditions during the spring lockdown, so it’s great to hear KEA buzzing with life and activity again. The intro activities have also enjoyed great support and commitment!

I've also noted that you are good at remembering the guidelines on social distancing and hygiene, and that you stay at home when you have symptoms if illness. That's really good. Thank you very much for that and please help each other remember it!

Staying at home, if you have any symptoms of, is particularly important. If you feel weak or have a cold, you have to stay at home.

Last week, two of our students found out that they were infected with coronavirus. As part of the Covid-19 contact tracing, two classes were sent home and are now being taught from home while waiting for their Covid-19 test results. The incidents have emphasised how important it is that everyone knows what to do if a student or employee is diagnosed with Covid-19.

KEA follows the health authorities’ guidelines on handling students infected with Covid-19. Below you can see how KEA will act if a student is infected with coronavirus

Procedure for handling outbreaks of Covid-19 at KEA
1. A student who has been diagnosed with Covid-19 calls in sick by contacting their teacher or KEA Study Administration at studielyg@kea.dk.
2. KEA obtains contact information on the person concerned and informs the infected person that he/she will be contacted by KEA HR (KEA's HR department) and the Danish Patient Safety Authority. KEA will then stay in close contact with the Danish Patient Safety Authority and follow their instructions in relation to infection detection and other actions concerning those affected.
3. If the student is present at KEA, he/she should then go home and isolate him/herself in relation to cohabitants – as well as follow the health authorities' guidelines in the given situation.
4. In order to reduce the spread of infection, KEA will send home the entire class, to which the infected student is affiliated, and ask them to keep informed about their ‘stay-at-home’ situation on their KEA-mail. The fellow students who have been sent home will be asked to take a Covid-19 test on the 4th day and again on the 6th day (control test) after the risk of infection has been identified. We therefore recommend that you book time for testing on coronaprover.dk. as soon as possible. In our experience, new tests for booking are constantly being added, so if you cannot book a test, or the location or time are not convenient, try again a few hours later.
5. During the ‘stay-at-home’ period, the students are advised to pay extra attention to maintaining social distancing, using hand sanitiser and washing their clothes when they get home.
6. If an entire class is sent home, KEA will immediately convert the teaching to a digital format. We will provide further information about this on KEA-mail and Fronter.
7. Once a student has received a negative test response, he or she can return to KEA. This already applies to the test on the fourth day, even though a control test is carried out two days later. Keep an eye on Fronter to find out how long classes will be carried out on-line, so that those of you who have been sent home are able to follow the teaching. After all, it is not certain that everyone will get answers at the same time, just as there may be academic considerations speaking in favour of maintaining online teaching for a period of time.
Stay informed on KEA's intranet

If you have any questions about KEA's handling of Covid-19, you can read more on this page or contact KEA Study Administration at studielyg@kea.dk. On this page we have collected all relevant information regarding social distancing requirements, hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, social events etc. In our experience, the authorities' guidelines change frequently, so remember to stay updated.

We all need to look after each other and help KEA become a safe place to study. Remember to keep your distance, sanitise your hands and make sure that everyone complies with the guidelines, as indicated on signs and stickers all over KEA.

Stay safe and healthy and enjoy your studies at KEA!

On behalf of KEA,

Kind regards,

Steen Enemark Kildesgaard
Rector
15 Aug // A welcome from the rector
Dear students

To all of you who are about to start studying at KEA, I want to say a big welcome to KEA! And to those of you who are already studying at KEA, I want to say welcome back from summer vacation. KEA has reopened after the summer holidays and we are very pleased that, to a great extent, the teaching can now be carried out physically in our classrooms.

Despite the corona pandemic, we try to have as normal a working life as possible, but the risk of infection limits our movements around KEA. We all need to look after each other and help KEA become a safe place to study, so we have developed some guidelines:

Keep your distance, ensure good hygiene and stay at home in case of illness

It is very important that we all keep a good distance. There must be at least 1 meter between us, but during classes the distance can be less than 1 meter if you are not mixed across groups/classes. You'll hear more about that if it applies to you. We also follow the authorities' recommendations on the use of face masks when you are unable to keep a safe distance outside your group/ class, e.g. in workshops. And of course you are welcome to wear a face mask elsewhere at KEA if you wish. We also need to practice diligent hygiene habits and follow the guidelines to stay at home if we are ill, because then we minimise the risk of being infected with coronavirus.

Avoid mingling too much and go home when your planned activities end

The focal point of your teaching and social activities is your class, and in addition, KEA will offer various activities that are predominantly done digitally. You can read more about this below. Unfortunately, we cannot open our Friday bars, hold parties or have social events where we physically interfere across classes. We have also banned smoking on KEA's premises in order to minimise the risk of spreading infection. In order to reduce the number of people staying in KEA’s buildings at any given time, we have spread activities over the day and made staggered working hours. We also recommend that you are only present at KEA when you have planned activities or need to make use of the library or workshops. So please go home when your planned activities are over. All to reduce the risk of infection.

Quarantine on entering or returning to Denmark

If you enter Denmark from abroad, it is important that you follow the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' guidelines for self-isolation, etc. Get more information on https://politi.dk/en/coronavirus-in-denmark where the Danish authorities have gathered all relevant information about coronavirus, quarantine, testing, infection tracking, etc.

If, due to Covid-19, you are unable to attend classes, have symptoms or have become ill with Covid-19, please notify KEA Study Administration at studielyg@kea.dk.

This applies, for example, if:
- You travel to Denmark from a country where quarantine is required (see politi.dk/en/coronavirus-in-denmark/travelling-in-or-out-of-denmark). Please note that you can shorten your quarantine by being tested and having a negative test result.
- You have symptoms of Covid-19 and are waiting for your test result.
- Due to Covid-19, you are prevented from leaving your home country
If you are at an increased risk of becoming infected, you can report it to your head of programme. KEA Study Administration(studielyg@kea.dk) can provide you with information about who to contact on each programme and help you if you are at increased risk.

More details and continuous updating of guidelines

On KEA's student intranet, mit.kea.dk/en, you can read the guidelines, which apply at KEA. On the intranet, you can also find answers to frequently asked corona-related questions. These may include e.g. distance requirements, the use of protective equipment, guidelines related to illness, disinfection of shared equipment, social events, etc. In our experience, the authorities' guidelines change frequently, so remember to stay updated on mit.kea.dk/en.

We need to help each other remember the guidelines. Please say thank you when a fellow student or a teacher helps you remember :)

Timetable soon to be sent out

Due to distance requirements, etc., we take a little longer to set out timetables than usual. We are working relentlessly and you’ll get a timetable covering the first few weeks as soon as possible.

We look forward to seeing you at KEA!

On behalf of all of KEA, my very best regards

Steen Enemark Kildesgaard
Rector

Earlier updates

Message from KEA's rector

(22 June 2020)

Dear KEA students

With the summer holidays rapidly approaching, KEA has been given the green light by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science to open up certain facilities at KEA over the summer. This means that you can now access KEA’s library and workshops to a certain extent during the period from 24 June to 3 July and again from 3 August. In the table below, you can see what opportunities there are to access the library and workshops.

In the period from 6 July to 31 July, it is KEA's Heads of Programme who give selected groups of students access to specific facilities depending on the needs of each programme. If your programme is granted access to specific facilities, you will be notified directly.

In August, you will be notified of how the teaching will be carried out in the autumn semester. We do not yet know to what extent KEA can conduct teaching in yours and your teachers’ physical presence at KEA. We very much hope that we can return much more to more normalised conditions - that is, except that everyone must of course be extra careful about hygiene and follow the Danish Health and Medicines Authority's guidelines on distance, etc., so that we ensure that the teaching at KEA is carried out as corona-safely as possible.

Keep an eye on https://mit.kea.dk/en that is constantly updated with relevant information. We will also send information by e-mail, so keep an eye on your mailbox over the summer.

If you are going abroad, remember to read the Foreign Office's travel guides for the country you are travelling to (https://um.dk/da/rejse-og-ophold/rejse-til-udlandet/rejsevejledninger in Danish). If you are travelling to a country that has an orange or red marking, you must stay at home during the quarantine period before entering KEA. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the guidelines will change depending on the pressure of infection, etc., so keep track of their travel instructions on an ongoing basis.

If you or someone in your household is diagnosed with COVID-19, follow the guidelines on https://mit.kea.dk/en. There you will also find guidelines on how to act in case you become ill or are in a so-called special risk group.

KEA's teachers tell me that they are impressed at how well and quickly you have adapted to the difficult conditions of the corona crisis. All teaching and group work had to be carried out online overnight, which is a huge challenge! But you have adapted quickly to the new conditions, and I would like to thank you very much for that!

To those of you who have completed all your exams, I would like to thank you for your effort, and to those of you who still need to finish the last bit of your programme, I will say "break a leg"!

I wish you all a great summer – we look forward to seeing you at KEA after the summer holidays!

On behalf of all of KEA, my very best regards

Steen Enemark Kildesgaard

Rector

Message from KEA's rector

(22 May 2020)

Dear KEA students

The political agreement Wednesday night on further re-opening of Denmark also opens up for more possibilities for KEA than the ones we announced on 8 May. As of 27 May, KEA will be able to hold oral exams physically at KEA.

Subject to a very few exceptions, our students and teachers have prepared for online oral exams. Therefore, it will not necessarily be desirable to change these. Together with the programme management, we will investigate which planned online exams it would be appropriate to alter to physical oral exams. We expect to be able to inform you of possible changes next week.

In the press release, our Minister, Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen, announced the following about the further re-opening: “...a lot of students will still have to finish the semester from home, and to those students I wish to say: I am simply so impressed about the way you have been capable of adapting yourselves and kept going, even though your course of study all of a sudden changed over a few days. You have shown community spirit and you have proven to the outside world that in Denmark, we have students who not only take responsibility for their own learning but also for society.”

Like our Minister, we are impressed about you students’ – and our staff’s – way of handling the challenges of the lockdown, and we look forward to seeing you again in August. For those of our students who are completing their education at KEA this summer, we plan to make as proper a celebration as we can on your upcoming graduation at a distance, and a real party when we are allowed to party again.

Remember that all general information about your studies and about KEA’s lockdown owing to Coronavirus is gathered at https://mit.kea.dk/en.

KEA still stand together – separately.

On behalf of all of KEA

My very best regards

Steen Enemark Kildesgaard
Rector

Message from KEA's rector

(8 May 2020)

Dear KEA students

Last night saw the presentation of the political agreement on phase 2 of the reopening of Denmark. Today, our Ministry gave an outline of the areas KEA will be allowed to reopen from 18 May - and which ones still not to open. We are very pleased that we will be able to go ahead with those teaching and exam activities that require access to workshops and various equipment. This concerns specific activities at a few of our programmes. We will be contacting those students directly who are involved in these activities, as soon as we have plans ready to ensure that the activities can be carried out safely in adherence with the health-related guidelines that the authorities will be presenting in the middle of next week.

All other KEA students are to continue to work from home, digitally as before.

While welcoming the opportunity for this limited opening, we are so sorry that we cannot expect to see each other physically till after the summer holidays as predicted by the planned phase 4 and reopening in August. As a consequence, some of you will be completing your education at KEA before we’ll be seeing each other physically again. We’ll therefore do our utmost to find the best non-physical ways of marking the event.

Don’t forget that you’ll find all general information about your studies and KEA’s lockdown due to Coronavirus at https://mit.kea.dk/en

We are looking so much forward to being able to resume to normal classes in KEA’s buildings. Until then, KEA stand together - separately.

We wish you happy Great-Prayer-Day holidays!

On behalf of all of KEA, my very best regards

Steen Enemark Kildesgaard

Rector

Message from rector, 28 April

Dear students at KEA

I’ve recorded a video message for you with various information. You can watch it on the right.

As KEA previously announced on 8 April, our buildings will be closed until 10 May, and, as a general rule, teaching and exams will be converted to take a digital form until the summer. Your teachers and programme management will continue to keep you informed about the concreate plans for your studies. As soon as the Danish government announces what will happen after 10 May, KEA will let you know.

Also, remember that all general information about your studies and about the temporary lockdown of KEA due to Coronavirus is gathered in the FAQ above.

In the below, you’ll find links and practical information that we think you might find useful in the current situation:

Learn more about online exams at KEA

- Instructions for students on online exams

- More information In KEA’s Study Guide

- Video on the use of MS Teams for online exams

- Video on online exams

Items in KEA lockers

If you have a locker in KEA with things you can't do without, write to servicedesk@kea.dk and arrange for a time to collect your things. You cannot stay at KEA when picking up your things. Please think about whether you could do without them before writing. Normally, we would empty the lockers in July, but we won't empty them until it will again be possible for students to get into KEA.

Are you having IT challenges?

Write to servicedesk@kea.dk, and KEA IT service will try to help you.

Play online games with other KEA students

Whether you're into action-packed shooting games, cozy board games or mind-bending poker, KEA has made sure there's something for you. As a KEA student, you can meet in virtual spaces and on game servers to try your strength on anything from Counter Strike Global (CS:GO) to Texas Hold 'em. All our games and virtual gamer communities are located on KEA's Facebook for students www.facebook.com/KEAstudentlife where you can sign up.

Study Skills and webinars on writing

When you’re sitting at home studying on your own, you need all the help you can get. KEA has collected useful information on the platform, Study Skills https://bibliotek.kea.dk/en/studyskills.

This platform includes video tutorials and step-by-step guides for reading strategy, note technique, time management, presentation technique, research, group work, written communication, etc. On the basis of this platform, KEA Library holds webinars on report writing, etc. You can also get help from KEA's "StudyAid Videos" for online article searches, surveys, reference techniques, etc. You’ll find the StudyAid videos on https://bibliotek.kea.dk/en/.

Do you have a story for our Facebook for KEA students?

Being a student in these corona times can be difficult and challenging. If any of you are writing about this on social media, and on how to face the challenges, we'd love to share your stories on KEA's Facebook, www.facebook.com/KEAstudentlife. Please write to KEA's SoMe editor, Martin Launey, marl@kea.dk, and let him know about your story.

KEA's Study and Career Guidance can help you

The situation can be challenging and may make new demands on you as a student. If you have any questions or need to talk about your thoughts or concerns, you can always contact KEA Study and Career Guidance, who offer confidential and non-committal conversations about your course of study, SU, leave, etc. You can contact KEA's Study and Career Guidance at studievejledning@kea.dk

We look very much forward to seeing you in KEA's buildings again.

Until then, KEA stand together – separately.

On behalf of all of KEA, my very best wishes

Steen Enemark Kildesgaard
Rector

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Email to KEA's students / 8 April

Dear students

At the press conference on 6 April by the Danish Prime Minister, the physical closure of institutions of higher education was extended until 10 May.

At this stage, we expect to be looking at a best scenario of a limited, gradual reopening after 10 May. Everything depends on the development of the spread of COVID-19.

As a consequence, and to ensure a kind of predictability for you as students, we’re in our planning providing for a continuation of the current situation right up until the summer holidays.

This means that: -

Your classes will be digital until this summer

You must expect all your teaching and learning to be digital until the summer holidays. We’ll convert all classes possible to take a digital form, and we’ll find new solutions to this situation. Your teachers and programme management will continue to keep you informed about the organisation of your specific course of study.

Your exams will be digital

As a general rule, we’ll convert all exams until 30 June to take place digitally. It may be decided to conduct a few specific exams as originally planned if physical presence at KEA is made possible in the period up to the summer. You will be informed if this is the case for any of your exams.

Most exams - but not all - can be converted to take a digital form

A few exams cannot be converted to take place digitally. At present, we expect to postpone such exams until KEA reopens for physical presence. You will be notified directly in your KEA email no later than 13 May if this applies to any of your exams.

We will help you as much as possible with your internship

We know that several of you are having issues with your internship – and at KEA, internship is an essential part of your education. We’re doing everything we can to help you with physical as well as digital solutions. You’re always welcome to contact your teachers or your internship supervisor if you have any doubts about your situation.

KEA Study and Career Guidance are ready to help you

We’re aware that this situation can be challenging and that it makes new demands on you as students. If you have any questions or need to discuss your thoughts or concerns, you’re always welcome to contact KEA Study and Career Guidance. KEA Study and Career Guidance offer confidential and non-committal dialogue about your course of study, SU, leave, etc. and anything affecting your studies in this unusual situation. Contact KEA Study and Career Guidance at: studievejledning@kea.dk

Remember that you can find information on our FAQ at https://mit.kea.dk/en/

We feel certain that we'll get through this together – even if it might potentially take long before KEA's buildings will again be buzzing with activity and we'll be able to meet again physically.

KEA stand together – individually.

On behalf of all of KEA, my very best regards

Steen Enemark Kildesgaard
Rector

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Information about Corona virus

Message from Rector about corona restrictions // 14 Jan 2021

Semester start and graduations will be held online

Take care of each other

Stay up to date

General guidelines at KEA

Teaching and class allocation

Conduct in common areas (Library, Canteen, etc.)

Protective equipment and cleaning

Use of own equipment

Exams (behaviour and guests)

Smoking

Social events

Contact

Guidelines in case of illness

General info

Procedure for handling outbreaks of Covid-19 at KEA

If you get ill

IF SOMEONE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD HAS COVID-19

PEOPLE AT INCREASED RISK

RECORDING OF DATA IN CONNECTION WITH COVID-19 MEASURES AT KEA

GUIDELINES AT KEA

CONTACT

Frequently asked questions

Teaching and study activity

Emptying lockers and picking up belongings

Internship

Exams

Study guidance

SU - Danish Students’ Grants and Loan Scheme

IT

Library

Exchange students at KEA

Exchange students from KEA who are abroad

Earlier updates

Read earlier updates on covid-19 at KEA

29 Dec // A message from the rector

16 Dec // A message from the rector

Pay attention if you need to travel at Christmas

Get tested before Christmas

Stay up to date

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

7 Dec // A message from the rector

Nationwide restrictions extended

Stay up to date

2 Dec // A message from the rector

We need to reduce our physical presence at KEA

Young people urged to get tested

News about travel at Christmas

Stay up to date

Thank you for your efforts

25 Nov // A message from the rector

The assembly ban is extended and the ban on social events continues to apply

What about Christmas and exams?

Mask-free zones at KEA

Why don't we physically shut down the teaching at KEA?

Which corona tests are recognised at KEA?

Stay up to date

26 Oct // A message from the rector

Stay up to date

9 Oct // A message from the rector

Help us limit the spread of infection at KEA

Stay up to date

30 Sep // A message from the rector

The new guidelines bring the following changes:

The previous temporary restrictions have been extended until 18 October:

Stay up to date

25 Sep // A message from the rector

The situation right now at KEA

Infection rate continues to rise

Stay up to date

22 Sep // A message from the rector

8 Sep // A message from the rector

31 Aug // A message from the rector

Procedure for handling outbreaks of Covid-19 at KEA

Stay informed on KEA's intranet

15 Aug // A welcome from the rector

Earlier updates

Message from KEA's rector