In recent times, the world has come to face a novel coronavirus, COVID-19, which has changed the lives of many. Many businesses have shifted to smart working, some having to close down, and educational institutions have shifted completely to online learning. The internet has become the main source of interaction, whether through a virtual webinar, a video conference or just a message to be conveyed, and face to face interaction has drastically dropped.
The Swiss School of Management immediately adjusted and adapted it’s online platform in order to satisfy the needs of our community and to ensure the successful progress of what we offer; top quality education, ensuring that our community moves forward while offering them a safe environment. Our Rome campus is closed for students until further notice. All classes have successfully been running 100% online via various tools including Google Hangouts Meet, Zoom, and other platforms as needed.
We are confident that the current coronavirus situation will not affect the quality of our teaching, however, we want to take all preventative measures possible to keep our community safe. On this page, you will find useful information related to the COVID-19. You may also find updates in real time on the official website of the World Health Organization (WHO) by clicking here. To find details, rules and regulations about the pandemic in Italy, please click here.
School Closure COVID-19 FAQ’s
When can I come back to campus?
We will open our campuses according to the national laws of Italy. If students are unable, or do not wish to return to campus, we will continue to provide online learning options so that nobody misses out on their education.
We plan to open all our campuses for the beginning of the Fall semester, however, if this is not possible, we will continue with online learning.
What if the situation continues?
We are looking to continue to improve our online resources, with the support of mentoring and the development of new online course material.
Can students return home?
Students are free to return home if they have any concern for their health or are feeling uncomfortable with the current coronavirus situation, as long as they satisfy the requirements of the location.
Will my education be affected?
We have successfully switched 100% to online classes. All classes will continue online, and all faculty are prepared to support your online learning and deliver classes effectively so that education is not affected.
Advice to students as face-to-face class attendance and delivery of classes is not possible due to current coronavirus concerns:
- Students are still required to follow their studies online and will be expected to be back on campus when the threat from the virus is deemed to be safe.
- If a student or staff member starts to feel unwell and shows symptoms of COVID-19, they should be immediately get checked by a doctor and self-isolate. The local emergency number is found below:
Emergency number Rome: +39 112
GENERAL COVID-19 FAQ’s
What is a coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans. In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The most recently discovered coronavirus causes COVID-19.
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and a dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, a runny nose, a sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment. Around 1 out of every 6 people who gets COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems, or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness. About 2% of people with the disease have died. People with a fever, a cough, and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.
How does COVID-19 spread?
People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 sneezes, coughs or exhales. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets. This is why it is important to stay more than 1 meter (3 feet) away from a person who is sick.
Can the virus that causes COVID-19 be transmitted through the air?
Studies to date suggest that the virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through contact with respiratory droplets rather than through the air.
Should I worry about COVID-19?
If you are not in an area where COVID-19 is spreading, or if you have not traveled from one of those areas or have not been in close contact with someone who has and is feeling unwell, your chances of getting it are currently low. However, it’s understandable that you may feel stressed and anxious about the situation. It’s a good idea to get the facts to help you accurately determine your risks so that you can take reasonable precautions. Your healthcare provider, your national public health authority and your employer are all potential sources of accurate information on COVID-19 and whether it is in your area. It is important to be informed of the situation where you live and take appropriate measures to protect yourself.
Who is at risk of developing severe illness?
While we are still learning about how COVID-2019 affects people, older people and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes) appear to develop serious illness more often than others.
Is there a vaccine, drug, or treatment for COVID-19?
Vaccines are beginning to arrive across the world. As doses are still limited those that are considered high risk will be able to get their vaccine. Those that have been infected by the virus should receive care to relieve symptoms. People experiencing serious symptoms should be hospitalized. Most patients recover thanks to supportive care.
There are currently two vaccines that are authorized and recommended for the prevention to prevent COVID-19 which are the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and the Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine. Although these vaccines have been approved, distribution is being reserved first to high risk groups (namely elderly and front line workers).
Although the accessibility of the vaccine is still limited; effective ways to protect yourself and others against COVID-19 are to frequently clean your hands, cover your cough with the bend of elbow or tissue, and maintain a distance of at least 1 meter (3 feet) from people who are coughing or sneezing.
Should I wear a mask to protect myself?
The WHO recommends the use of masks for people who have symptoms of COVID-19 and for those caring for individuals who have symptoms, such as a cough and a fever. The use of masks is crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone (at home or in a healthcare facility). In Italy, the law requires you to wear a mask when entering a public space, or when you cannot maintain at least one meter of social distance.
What is social distancing?
In line with the recommendations of the Italian health authorities, you are required to maintain a social distance of 1 meter in order to protect yourselves and others, and in particular those who are especially vulnerable. If you continue to work with other people, please maintain a safe distance.
Do I need to self isolate?
You may need to isolate yourself if you have traveled to an affected area, have been in close contact with an infected person, or are experiencing Covid-19 like symptoms. Spending 15 minutes within two meters (six feet) of someone with the virus, or having face-to-face contact, is judged to be a significant risk. When someone tests positive for the virus, health authorities try to trace everyone they have spent time with. They will then tell those people whether they need to self-isolate. If you have been traveling internationally, you may need to isolate upon arrival to your destination country. Please consult your local government authorities to be sure you are in line with the current regulations. In Italy, you may need to isolate for up to 14 days after international travel to certain countries.
How long is the incubation period for COVID-19?
The “incubation period” means the time between catching the virus and beginning to have symptoms of the disease. Most estimates of the incubation period for COVID-19 range from 1-14 days, most commonly around five days. These estimates will be updated as more data becomes available.
What is the latest status of the coronavirus outbreak?
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak an “international public health emergency”, reporting millions of cases in Europe and deeming its global risk assessment as “high”. Check here for the latest news.
In any case, if you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early to reduce the risk of developing a more severe infection and be sure to share your recent travel history with your healthcare provider.