Infection control for students - Kunnskapsbasen
Infection control for students
Quality control by: HSE Section
Last update: 3 August 2020
Norwegian version: Smittevern for studenter
To prevent the spread of infection on NTNU’s campuses, we ask you to follow the advice on this page.
Simple things you can do to avoid infection
Through good hygiene and keeping a distance from each other, we can prevent the virus from spreading. Always take these steps, regardless of whether you or the people you are with are in good health.
- Stay at home if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or you are in quarantine
- Follow the authorities’ advice on hygiene. Hand sanitizer is available at the entrances to NTNU’s buildings. Use it.
- Keep one metre away from people around you. In the reading rooms, the classrooms and the cafeteria, chairs may have been removed or seating may have been marked to show that it must not be used. It is important that you do not use seats that are marked as not for use or and do not move chairs closer together than they have been placed
- If you get to the auditorium first, sit in the middle of the row. Then people will not have to squeeze past you on their way to their seats
- Clean desks, tables and equipment when you arrive and when the lecture is over. You will find cleaning equipment in the classrooms.
- Take a little detour to avoid clusters of people. Or come to the classroom a little before the lecture starts, to prevent a queue from forming at the door
- Do not share things with other people – such as pencils, pens, tablet computers, or PCs. Equipment that is shared must be cleaned after use. You can use ordinary detergent for this
- Your mobile phone is a source of infection. Clean it often
- Avoid touching the most frequently touched surfaces:
- Use your elbow to open doors
- Use a tissue, paper towel or the sleeve of your jacket when you touch a door handle
- Use your access and ID card or your little finger when you enter your PIN code at the keypad for the door lock
- After washing your hands, use paper or your elbow to turn off the tap.
- Use public transport as little as possible. Walk or cycle when you can. Follow the recommendations if you need to travel using public transport.
What should you do if you suspect COVID-19 infection, or if this has been confirmed?
If you have a strong suspicion that you may be infected or if COVID-19 infection has been confirmed, we ask you to inform NTNU of this. Notify us at phone: 48409065 (HSE Section) during working hours.
Suspected infection
- Always stay at home if you have a respiratory tract infection or symptoms of COVID-19.
- If you get respiratory symptoms while you are on campus, you must leave the campus as soon as possible. See "When you can and when you cannot be on campus".
- Stay at home until you are completely free of symptoms of acute respiratory tract infection
- If you think you might be infected with COVID-19, you should ask to be tested. Contact your regular doctor or your municipality’s coronavirus telephone number to arrange testing:
Confirmed infection
- If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, you must stay in isolation. Isolation at home applies to people who have confirmed COVID-19, but who do not need to be treated in hospital.
- The municipal health service in Trondheim / Ålesund / Gjøvik is responsible for infection tracking.
- Students who have been in close contact with a person who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 must either have follow-up or stay in home quarantine.
Why do we want you to notify NTNU of possible or confirmed infection?
The reason for this is to prevent further infection on NTNU’s campuses. It also enables better teamwork between NTNU and the municipal health service in their efforts to carry out infection tracking and prevent further infection. All notifications of infection will be dealt with responsibly in terms of privacy, and all notifications will be anonymized as far as possible.
Do you need someone to talk to?
The student welfare association (Sit) offers helpful resources for students who would like someone to talk to. The threshold is low, and you can contact them about both small and major concerns and problems: https://www.sit.no/en/health/counselling
Sources of more information
Facts and advice from Norwegian authorities:
- Hand hygiene and cough etiquette - Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI)
- Avoid shaking hands, hugging, etc. - Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI)
- Facts about infection control measures - Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI)
- Facts on the virus and Covid-19 disease - Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI)
- Coronavirus: Measures in the workplace - Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet)
- Sikresiden.no - infection control
Summary pages
This page provides a simplified version of NTNU’s overarching guidelines for infection control. This is also a supplement to NTNU’s guidelines for physical attendance on campus on campus and guidelines for work in laboratories and workshops.