SLU-Madrid's campus protocols for Summer 2022 are based on a commitment to teaching and learning as well as the health and wellbeing of our community. 

These protocols may change — due to government and public health regulations or due to our own commitment to keeping the campus community safe. If they change, we will let you know. 

SLU-Madrid sends updates and announcements related to COVID-19 to your official (@slu.edu) email account. Please check your email regularly. 

Madrid and Spain: Madrid's government considers that most of its population is protected against severe COVID-19, due to current vaccination rates and natural immunity for those who have contracted the disease. Efforts are now directed at protecting those who are at risk developing serious conditions. Thus, the Madrid Province continues to recommend (but does not require) that people wear face masks indoors and in public spaces where personal distance cannot be maintained. The government requires the use of face masks on public transportation, in pharmacies and healthcare facilities. Anyone who experiences COVID-19 symptoms should limit going out of the home and contact health professionals for testing and treatment.

On Campus: SLU-Madrid requires you to:

• Wear a face mask indoors when and where social distancing is not possible. 
• Respect the request of others to maintain social distance (1.5 meters) or to wear a face mask, indoors or outdoors, when social distancing is not possible.
• Practice hand hygiene.
• Monitor your health.

If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, you should perform a diagnostic test, available at pharmacies. You should exercise extreme caution, reducing social interactions, wear a mask when on campus or in public, and avoid contact with vulnerable people. If you test positive for COVID-19 or have COVID-19 related concerns, please email or call: 

• Students: Student Affairs: +34 638 763 758 - studentlife-madrid@slu.edu
• Employees: Human Resources: +34 915 54 58 58 - hr-madrid@slu.edu
• Madrid COVID-19 Information Number: +34 900 102 112 

Vaccinations: SLU-Madrid urges all members of its to get fully vaccinated, including boosters, if they have not already done so. 

Testing: The Spanish government has established a flat rate of 2.94 euros for antigens at the pharmacies. Information about tests for travel/repatriation through Sanitas and other labs is available here. The U.S. Embassy also provides a list of COVID-19 testing and lab locations in Madrid. If you have any questions, contact Dr. Borrás at dr.borras@gmail.com, Sanitas Asesoría médica 24 hours at +34 91 752 29 02 or the Office of Student Affairs (studentlife-madrid@slu.edu). 

In-Person Classes: SLU-Madrid's summer session classes are in person.  Professors are not required to provide "hybrid" options for students who miss class due to COVID-19 or any other reason. This means that if you need to miss class, normal attendance policies apply. You should work with your instructors to make sure you stay on track in your intensive summer courses. 

COVID-19-related Absences: Absences due to COVID-19 will be handled as absences due to other health-related issues, such as those brought on by the flu or surgery. Students should contact their instructors to discuss how they can stay up to date in their courses. 

Face Masks: SLU-Madrid requires face masks indoors whenever social distancing is not possible: thus, you should always have a face mask with you. SLU-Madrid will provide all students with face masks.

Social Distancing: SLU-Madrid's classrooms are no longer configured to guarantee social distancing; thus, the use of face masks may be required in some classrooms or offices, out of respect and concern for students, faculty, or staff who may be at risk developing severe conditions. 

Handwashing and Sanitizing Stations: We continue to recommend periodic handwashing and the use of hand-sanitizing stations with hydro-alcoholic gel located throughout campus, including at all key entrance and exit points. A Dyson Wash and Dry Pod, where you can soap, wash, and dry your hands is also available at the entrance of the cafeteria.

Cleaning/Disinfecting: SLU-Madrid has implemented daily disinfecting efforts on campus, with special attention to high touch surfaces. Disinfectant detergent and paper towels are available in all shared offices and classrooms for additional sanitation during the day. 

Host-Family Housing: For the summer, host-family housing will continue to be limited to single-room occupancy, with families limited to hosting no more than three students. SLU-Madrid has ensured that the infrastructure and services are in place to support students if they become ill or need to self-isolate due to exposure to COVID-19. This safety measure requires host families to provide additional meal service and sanitary measures; thus, an additional 15 euros per day will be charged to the student for each day of prescribed confinement. If the host family is affected and/or cannot provide host family services, SLU-Madrid will move the student to a different housing accommodation. 

Students living with host families will follow the protocols recommended by Spain's health authorities. They must take responsibility for personal care and facilitate the cleaning/disinfection of their rooms and belongings. As on campus, students must follow all protocols, including but not limited to, social distancing, travel restrictions, use of personal protection equipment and possible confinement. In addition, host families may set restrictions on visitors to their homes. Detailed guidelines are available here. 

Student Residences in Spain: SLU-Madrid's residential partners have also established health and safety protocols according to the requirements established by Spanish Health Authorities for this type of business. For additional information, contact your residence provider directly. 

Off-Campus Public Health Regulations: The health and safety of our community is a shared responsibility that requires all students, faculty and staff to be accountable for behaviors on and off campus. All members of the SLU-Madrid community will be required to follow the directives issued by Spain's health authorities. At present, these include mandatory use of masks in health care facilities and pharmacies and on public transportation. Consult the Madrid Province COVID-19 website for further information. 

Travel: SLU-Madrid recommends that students from outside of Spain make travel arrangements that permit changes in the event of a need to return home due to unforeseen circumstances. All students from outside of Spain should consult the Spain Travel Health website for additional information and the documentation needed to travel to Spain. 

Restrictions related to COVID-19 vary widely by region in Spain, across Europe, and around the world. If you have plans to travel from Spain to other destinations, you must monitor the travel information specific to your destination and to your return to Madrid. You must not travel if you have COVID-19 symptoms, have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last two weeks, or have had close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last two weeks. 

Sources we turn to for information about COVID-19 include the Madrid Province (Comunidad de Madrid), Spain's National Ministry of Health, the U.S. Embassy in Spain, the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization. 

Posted: May 19, 2022