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Tropea +39 339 8458832
info@piccolauniversitaitaliana.com

Piccola Università Italiana | Boutique Italian Language Schools in Fantastic Locations

FAQs COVID-19

Piccola Universita ItalianaFAQs COVID-19 - Piccola Università Italiana

Following you may find useful information for our Italian language schools re-opening on July 6, in regards to COVID-19. However, contact us for any further query. The staff of our school remains at your complete disposal. We have gathered useful pieces of information about the current COVID-19 crisis in Italy. This page is constantly updated in order to report on how the situation in Italy evolves. It is our aim to establish best practice
protocols for keeping staff and students safe after the closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

INFORMATION ABOUT COVID-19 RULES AT SCHOOL

Disinfection of hands

Hydro-alcohol solution for user and staff hand cleansing is to be made available at multiple locations, especially at the entrance and near toilets, in order to encourage frequent use.

On the school premises, students will find dispenser to be able to disinfect their hands
– at the entrance of the school
– in front of or in the classrooms
– in front of or in the bathrooms

Further to this, students shall wash their hands in the bathrooms regularly (e. g. after  and before a lesson), where a special disinfection soap is available.

It is not compulsory to wear gloves and we do not recommend it, considering the seasonal summer temperatures.

Facemasks for students, teachers and admin staff

Students as well as school staff are required to put a facemask when entering school and when walking around the school premises.
The mask may be lifted at the moment the student is seated in the classroom. As a matter of fact, each student has its own round table and the tables are positioned with the minimum distance required (the requirement is 2sqm for each student).

The facemask can also be lifted on the balconies, where social distancing is guaranteed.

Students are also required to put a facemask during pick-up transfers (for example the arrival airport transfer) and educational field trips. The mask may be lifted at the moment the student gets out of the vehicle!

Due to the fact that it is not possible for a language teacher to wear a mask when speaking because we find it essential that students actually see the mouth of the teachers, teachers will be wearing transparent safety face shields during the lessons.

Can I use a scarf instead of a mask?

No, it is compulsory to use a certified mask.

Will the school provide the students with facemasks?

Yes, in case you need a mask we are well supplied!
The masks are available for free!

How many students will be in one classroom?

In general, our Italian language schools are providing a boutique experience, and our Italian language courses are held exclusively in mini-groups of maximum 8 students per group. Due to the distance required by law, every student will have 2 sqm available, therefore students will be able to lift the facemask when seated.

Most probably there will never be more than 5 students in our group classes.

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What are the schools measurements in terms of cleaning and disinfection?

The cleaning-  and sanitization policies of Piccola Università Italiana are in line with the protocol, dated May 22, 2020 of the Ministry of Health.

The school premises will be cleaned and sanitized daily by our well trained and reliable in-house cleaning staff. Apart from the general cleaning and sanitization, we put particular focus on frequently touched surfaces, like door handles, sink handles, hand railings, light switches, and other shared objects like toilets, tables, countertops, and chairs.

Further to the daily routine as described, teachers or admin staff will disinfect the tables and handles after each lesson, in case of change of classroom before new students enter the classroom.

In addition to thorough cleaning, the teachers and admin staff are also vigilant to frequently renew the air inside the environment (offices, classrooms…). We want to increase circulation of outdoor air as much as possible, for example, by opening windows and doors.

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MEASUREMENTS OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL

Policy on the beaches

How to behave on the beach!

At the lido
Spacing on the beach will be ensured by guaranteeing an area of at least 10 square meters for each umbrella (in practice about 3-3.5 meters between umbrellas).
While between sunbeds or deck chairs a distance of at least 1.5 meters must be guaranteed.

On the public beaches
The same distance is required on public beaches. The towels have to be placed with at least 1.5 meters distance from each other.

Facemasks
On the beach it is not necessary to wear a facemask unless you go to the bar, gelateria or to the restaurant on the beach, where social distance cannot be guaranteed.
Therefore you need to bring your facemasks always with you, also on the beach.

Limit on public beaches
So far there was no need to limit the amount of people allowed on public beaches. Therefore, no booking is necessary.

Policy in restaurants

How to behave in a restaurant!

The service staff may detect your temperature, which needs always to be under 37.5 degrees Celsius;

The service staff must use a facemask;

Customers must use a facemask when not seated at the table;

It is compulsory to mantain a distance of at least 1 meter between tables, except for people who live under the same roof. This distance, however, can be reduced if physical barriers are installed between one table and another to limit the spread of the respiratory droplets;

Hygienic products are provided to customers. Therefore, customers have to disinfect their hands before entering the restaurant;

It is better to reserve in advance your table and to privilege outdoor spaces;

Buffet consumption is forbidden;

Avoid the use of salt shakers, oil jars and menus that cannot be disinfected after use.

Policy in shops

How to behave in shops!

The service staff may detect your temperature, which needs always to be under 37.5 degrees Celsius;

Customers must use a facemask inside shops;

Customers must keep a distance of 1 meter from each other;

Not in every shop it is possible to try on clothes;

Hygienic products are provided to customers. Therefore, customers have to disinfect their hands before entering the shop.

Policy in museums

How to behave in a museum!

Visits are limited in number of visitors and time slots;

It is compulsory to wear a facemask both for visitors and museum staff;

It is compulsory to maintain a distance of at least 1 m also at ticket offices and information desks, in shops etc.;

Disinfect your hands using the hand sanitizing dispensers you find inside;

Limit the use of touch screens;

Limit the use of cash payments;

Avoid queues at ticket offices by purchasing your ticket through apps and websites;

It is preferable to substitute audioguides with any kind of printed information material.

INFORMATION ABOUT COVID-19 RULES IN ITALY

Why Trieste and Tropea are perfect for an Italian course during this period?

Most of the short term students come to us to study Italian for pure pleasure or to combine holidays with education! Long term students love the fact that we are situated in cities on a human scale.

Our schools are located in two wonderful places on the sea!
Trieste is an enchanting city with 200,000 inhabitants on the sea and with a great cultural offer but Tropea is no less: a charming medieval city with 7000 inhabitants characterized by white sandy beaches and crystal clear sea, it is the most rural and authentic version of immersion in the Italian language and culture!

The regions where our schools are located have been fairly spared from the COVID-19 emergency. Furthermore, both schools are located in NON-CROWDED cities and are therefore perfect for enjoying the Italian language course in Italy … in complete safety.

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Countries admitted to enter Italy without restrictions

From June 3, 2020 the rules are different depending on the country of origin or destination. Movements from and to the following States are freely permitted:

  • Member States of the European Union (in addition to Italy, the following are EU Member States: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the Czech Republic);
  • States parties to the Schengen Agreement (non-EU-States party to the Schengen Agreement are: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland);
  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;
  • Andorra, Principality of Monaco;
  • Republic of San Marino and Vatican City State.

From June 3, persons entering or returning to Italy from these countries are no longer subject to health surveillance and fiduciary isolation for 14 days, unless they have stayed in different countries during the 14 days prior to entering Italy.

Countries with mobility restrictions for Italy

Travelling to and from States and territories other than those listed in the previous, the basic rules remain similar to the previous item.
Mobility to and from these countries continue to be permitted only for proven work requirements, absolute urgency, or for health reasons;
However, in any case, it is still permitted to return to one’s own domicile, home, or residence.

All students affected by mobility restrictions may start their Italian language studies through online learning. However, the students may switch to face-to-face lessons at any time when these mobility restrictions are waved.
This is particularly interesting for all students who wish to study in Italy for the academic year 2021-22. Without any visa problems, they will be able to start to learn Italian and will be able to pass successfully the Italian proficiency exams in April 2021, in order to start their Higher Education in Italy in September 2021. These University preparation courses can start also immediately on July 6, 2020.

Mobility within Italy

From June 3, 2020 travel between regions is permitted.

Inter-regional travel may be restricted only by measures taken in relation to specific areas of the national territory, in accordance with the principles of adequacy and proportionality to the epidemiological risk actually present in these areas.
It is advisable to contact the regional emergency hotline COVID-19 for the specific region for further information, also concerning the possible need, in case of a return, for quarantine and fiduciary isolation.

  • Regional emergency number for Calabria: 800 76 76 76
  • Regional emergency number for Friuli Venezia Giulia: 800 500 300
  • Single European Reference Number for all emergencies, including health emergencies: 112 .

Facemasks and gloves

  • It is compulsory to use a facemask in closed places and at stops/stations/bus stops and inside the services of public transport;
  • It is compulsory to use a mask as well in all the circumstances in which the minimum self distance of 1 metre cannot be respected;
  • It is not compulsory to use a mask in outdoor spaces;
  • It is not compulsory to use gloves.

Social distancing policy

  • It is compulsory to respect the social distance of at least 1 metre between one person and another;
  • It is still forbidden to gather people in public places or places open to the public.

Special notes on the situation in Calabria

From June 21, a screening activity with rhino-pharyngeal swab could be carried out on natural persons arriving in the regional territory, at airports and main railway stations by the Provincial Health Authorities, according to a programme organized and defined by the Regional Department of Health Protection and Health Policies.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT COVID-19

How to protect yourself and others!

  • Wash your hands often and properly using soap or alcohol-based hand rub;
  • Avoid close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections;
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth;
  • Do not take antiviral drugs or antibiotics unless prescribed by your doctor;
  • Clean surfaces with chlorine and alcohol-based disinfectants;
  • The use of simple disinfectants is capable of killing the virus by killing its ability to infect people, e.g. disinfectants containing alcohol or sodium hypochlorite.
  • Remember to clean objects you use frequently (mobile phone, earphones, microphone) first using soap and water or other neutral detergents and then disinfect them with products containing sodium hypochlorite or ethanol.

Difference among quarantine, fiduciary isolation and active surveillance

  • Quarantine is a period of isolation and observation of varying length that is required for people who may carry germs responsible for infectious diseases.
    For Covid-19 quarantine is a period of 14 days.
    Persons in quarantine must stay at home, monitor their state of health, and follow the health and hygiene indications provided by the public health operator and current legislation.
  • Fiduciary isolation is used to separate people with a confirmed contagious disease from those who are not infected.
    People who are in solitary confinement must stay at home, separate from the other cohabitants (remaining locked in a room and using, if available, a separate bathroom), monitor their state of health, and follow the hygienic-sanitary indications provided by the public health operator.
  • Active surveillance: during this period the public health operator provides to contact the person under surveillance on a daily basis, in order to have news about his health conditions.

Information from the Italian Health Ministry

In case you want to stay informed about the Coronavirus situation in Italy, the Ministry of Italy has created this very informative portal to check how the COVID-19 situation is evolving in Italy day-by-day.

See Also

Information from the European Union

The European Union has created a website, which provides information for European travel to remain healthy and safe. Information is frequently updated and available for 24 languages ​.

See Also

Quick Links

AT SCHOOL
Disinfection of hands
Facemasks for students, teachers and admin staff
Can I use a scarf instead of a mask?
Will the school provide the students with facemasks?
How many students will be in one classroom?
What are the schools measurements in terms of cleaning and sanitization?

OUTSIDE SCHOOL
Policy on the beaches
Policy in restaurants
Policy in shops
Policy in museums
Why Trieste and Tropea are perfect for an Italian course during this period?

IN ITALY
Countries admitted to enter Italy without restrictions
Countries with mobility restrictions for Italy
Mobility within Italy
Facemasks and gloves
Social distancing policy
Special notes on the situation in Calabria

IN GENERAL
How to protect yourself and others
Difference among quarantine, fiduciary isolation and active surveillance
Information from the Italian Health Ministry
Information from the European Union

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