Bearing the global COVID-19 outbreak in mind, it is essential for institutions, organisations, services and for society in general to be prepared to provide an effective and assertive answer. In order to protect the entire academic community and to guarantee the quality of the teaching and learning process, GBSB Global has elaborated the following contingency plan. The strategy to follow shall keep into account an alignment with the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as with the Spanish Ministry of Health. It will also include the specific recommendations from the Catalan Government, its Health Department and Catalan University System (SUC).
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONTINGENCY PLAN
This contingency plan has been designed around four operating areas focused on GBSB Global community:
- Health protection and safety measures
- Infrastructures and facilities
- Teaching and learning process
- Internal and external communication
“Students will be of primary concern to GBSB Global and their safety will be a priority.”
SAFETY MEASURES ON CAMPUS
For GBSB Global it is essential to plan the occupation levels for each campus in order to reduce the number of the students attending presential classes at the same time, and maintaining a safe distance recommended by the authorities. On the other hand, given that the virus, under ideal conditions, may remain active on surfaces for a few days, it is crucial that surfaces are frequently and properly cleaned and disinfected. To achieve these objectives, GBSB Global has set the following measures:
- According to the health authorities, the distance between students must be at least 1,5 metres, so only one student per table will be allowed in classrooms.
- The use of masks is compulsory, especially when it is impossible to maintain the safe distance of at least 1,5 metres. Access to school will not be possible without a mask.
- People who have a respiratory illness or another health issue or disability that makes wearing a mask impossible are exempt. For the exemption, they should present an official certificate issued by a Spanish doctor.
- Surface cleaning and disinfecting measures have been reinforced.
- ABS antiseptic solutions or hand sanitizer gel are available at the entrance/exit of buildings, in other areas with greater people gatherings.
- Facilities will never lack the following items: water and liquid soap, paper towels, waste bins placed in strategic locations, and appropriate detergents and disinfectants.
PROCEDURE FOR DEALING WITH SUSPECTED CASES OF COVID-19
Any person with signs of the disease or symptoms (fever, cough or difficulty breathing) should stay at home, reduce social contacts and should not go to hospital or to any health centre. They should call the number 112, emergency number in Spain, for severe symptoms or the number of the Catalan Health Service – 061 – for mild symptoms and follow their instructions. It is a service that covers the entire Catalan region 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, and it is free.
“GBSB Global intends to support students in case of Covid-19 as much as possible offering alternative teaching methods. However, any absences due to COVID-19 will only be valid upon presentation of official medical documentation.”
TEACHING AND LEARNING PROCESS
Due to national regulations, already mentioned above, GBSB Global will introduce new measures in order to both guarantee students’ safety and fulfilling academic quality standards of its programs.
For large groups, semi-presential mode of studies will be implemented, i.e. the teaching body will combine presential and online methodologies and teaching activities that will be consistent with the syllabus and learning outcome of every course. This way, students will complete 100% of curriculum hours attending 50% of a course online, and 50% in class. Alternative measures regarding evaluation will also be considered.
In case of a complete lockdown in Spain or Catalonia region, and if the school must stay closed due to the national regulation from the Spanish Government and Health authorities, GBSB Global can guarantee the continuity of the classes via online teaching modality.GBSB Global Business School is currently accepting applications for October 2020 Intake. As of right now, both Barcelona and Madrid campuses are planning to open prior to the intake’s commencement date on September 24th, 2020, strictly following the Contingency Plan and mandatory regulations for all higher education institutions in Spain.
Access the full version of GBSB Global’s Contingency Plan 2020 (PDF) for safety measures, procedures for dealing with suspected cases on and off campus, and important resources on COVID-19 updates.