Coronavirus: Current information

This website contains information from Bern University of Applied Sciences about the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on university operations and about specific measures taken by the BFH. For general information for the public, please refer to the information provided by the Federal Office of Public Health FOPH and the canton of Bern.

Status: 7.9.2022, 10 am

Current information

Classes for bachelor’s and master’s programmes and in continuing education

Teaching for bachelor’s and master’s programmes and in continuing education will generally take place on site. BFH considers itself to be a face-to-face university, which means that no digital alternative is required for face-to-face courses.

Work from home

The mobile working policy applies, enabling staff to work from home up to 50% of the time. Staff can find more information about this on the intranet.

Testing at BFH

Ttest kits may still be obtained from the drop-off points, provided there is a counter, and sent directly to the laboratory in exceptional situations, e.g. when a test is necessary as part of a course or employment at BFH (such as for a trip abroad). A name, email address and justification for receiving the test must be given when a test is issued.

The decision as to whether a test will be issued should be clarified with a supervisor; alternatively, the person in charge of the module will make a decision together with the departmental head of teaching.
For further information, check the ‘Testing’ FAQ.

It is essential that you continue to take responsibility. Continue to observe the FOPH hygiene and conduct regulations and get tested if you have any symptoms. If you contract COVID, still remain at home for five days (from symptom onset). We consider a positive test result to carry the same weight as a medical certificate.

Contact

Staff members with specific concerns should contact their superior; students should contact the head of their degree programme.

corona@bfh.ch

Downloads

FAQ

The following information on the situation at the BFH is constantly updated. Please also note the information provided by the federal and cantonal authorities on the Corona pandemic:

foph-coronavirus.ch

FAQ Federal Office of Public Health FOPH

FAQ Canton Berne

All students and staff are urged to follow the FOPH’s guidelines.

Testing

Updated: 4.4.2022, 10 am

Questions about the testing process

Can I be tested at BFH?

Repetitive testing will no longer be funded by the federal government and testing at the BFH will be discontinued as of Monday, 4 April 2022.

In exceptional cases, for example if a test is required as part of the studies or employment at the BFH (e.g. travel abroad with compulsory testing), a test kit can be obtained at the drop-off points with regular counter service and sent directly to the laboratory.

Staff members clarify with their supervisors whether they may obtain a test for a specific case and then receive a test kit at a drop-off point upon self-declaration and stating their name, e-mail address and reason.

For student purposes, the module supervisors decide in consultation with the Head of Teaching at the department. The Head of Teaching latter sends an e-mail to hafl-ser.test-abgabe@bfh.ch. The students can then collect their test kits. Here, too, the name, e-mail address and reason must be given when ordering.

The following BFH locations serve as test collection and drop-off points (listed alphabetically):

Bern

Brückenstrasse 73 (reception)
Eigerplatz 5 (reception)
Falkenplatz 24 (reception)
Fellerstrasse 11, Bern (ground floor reception)
Hallerstrasse 8
Holzikofenweg 8
Murtenstrasse 10
Ostermundigenstrasse 103 (first floor reception)
Schwarztorstrasse 48 (reception)
Schwarztorstrasse 102 (reception)
Wankdorffeldstrasse 102 (reception)

Biel/Bienne

Burg Biel, Jakob-Rosius-Strasse 16 (reception/administrative office, first floor)
Quellgasse 21 (reception)
Rockhall, Seevorstadt 103
Rolex, Höheweg 80
Swiss Literature Institute Biel/Bienne, Seevorstadt 99 (reception/administrative office, first floor)
Solothurnstrasse 102

Burgdorf

Gsteig, Pestalozzistrasse 20 (reception)

Vauffelin

Hauptstrasse 127

Zollikofen:

Länggasse 85 (HAFL, reception)

Do I need my health insurance card for testing? What do I do if I don't have one?

Yes, you need your health insurance number for the initial registration of the test. If you do not have one (e.g. if you live abroad) or cannot find your card, you can enter "0" 20 times instead of the number.

How do I register my test if I do not have a smartphone?

There is an internet address under the QR code (e.g. mtkb.ch/fppnktyw). The test can be registered at this address. Please note: A test can only be registered once.

When will I get the test result?

The lab refers to a maximum of 24 hours from receipt of the sample.

What will happen to my data/results?

The data is transferred by the test takers directly via a website to the laboratory “ender diagnostics, which carries out the tests at the BFH (a procedure similar to registering in a restaurant). For the processing of personal data, consent is required at the time of registration. In order to exclude misuse, the BFH keeps lists of the persons who receive a test. After billing, the lists are destroyed. The BFH does not receive any data on tested persons from the laboratory. Therefore, no link can be established between the BFH's list of persons and the test result. The BFH receives an evaluation of the number of tests carried out, the positive, negative and invalid test results. If there is a legal basis and an obligation to do so, the laboratory informs the cantonal contact tracing (cantonal medical office) in the event of a positive test result and provides it with the contact details for making contact.

Will I receive a certificate?

In case of a negative test result, a link will be sent to download the COVID certificate.