Dear colleagues, dear employees,

The beginning of the academic year is approaching and the proven cases of COVID-19 disease, which is caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, have risen to higher levels ​​in the last two weeks than at the time of the prohibition of students’ presence at the university. We are closely monitoring the epidemiological situation, but unfortunately, we must expect that with the arrival of autumn, the situation will get worse rather than better, also due to the return of children and students to school.

We all wish that from September 21, 2020, we will have full-time teaching at BUT with a minimum of restrictions. We will undoubtedly be affected by the widespread measures set by the Ministry of Health in emergency and protective measures, and we must also prepare our own measures, depending on the situation at BUT.

We had to take some measures to protect your health even now. Some of them result from the extraordinary measures of the Ministry of Health, which are effective from September 1, 2020. It is mainly a prohibition of people with symptoms of viral infectious disease (e.g. fever, cough, shortness of breath, sudden loss of taste and smell, etc.) to enter the BUT buildings. If you have symptoms of viral infectious disease, please contact your supervisors and agree on appropriate measures to protect the health of your colleagues. Another measure is the obligation of persons entering the BUT buildings (except for the BUT employees) to use respiratory protective means to cover the nose and mouth (e.g. a respirator, mask, mouthpiece assembly, scarf, shawl, etc.). However, you must also have respiratory protection when dealing with students and other persons in the meeting rooms (e.g. study departments, secretary offices of institutes and other workplaces). More information can be found in the Rector's Decision No. 4/2020. Please believe that the aim of these measures is not to bully anyone, they are to protect our health.

Another measure concerns BUT Halls of Residence and Canteens, where a larger number of people come into contact. All those present in the BUT canteens are obliged to wear the above-mentioned protective equipment (except for the time of food consuming). This obligation also applies in the common areas of the halls of residence, for all present persons, including the BUT employees. There are also newly set rules for visitors or the obligation of accommodated persons to report quarantine or isolation.

I would also like to ask you not to expose yourself unnecessarily to the risk of infection, both at BUT and during your stay and movement outside the university premises. Possible illness can affect students and your colleagues. Thank you very much for your understanding and consideration, together we will certainly overcome this difficult period. Further information in connection with the teaching will be published no later than on September 14, 2020.

Please understand this emergency. I wish us all strong nerves, good health and a successful academic year 2020/2021. I believe we can do it together.

Petr Štěpánek

Rector of BUT

Summary of the measures: