An online meeting with rectors was held on 31st July.

In light of COVID-19 restrictions, the next academic year will be held in a very specific format. Minister Valery Falkov touched on the most important details, which are:

• The academic year will start on 1st September in a traditional format, i. e. on-site in Russia
• Students will be required to wear face masks at all times when inside university buildings, including lectures
• Educators will not be required to wear face masks during lectures
• Different academic groups of students should, if possible, be allocated specific study rooms where they will spend their classes
• Large gatherings of people will be prohibited
• Sports and arts activities will be allowed with all restrictions imposed by the authorities
• Body temperature measurements should be conducted for everybody at entrances
• Persons with symptoms of infectious diseases will not be allowed to enter buildings and will be isolated until further medical checkup
• International students will spend a mandatory 14-day self-isolation stay after entering Russia at their respective universities; they will be tested for COVID-19 after 10-12 days of self-isolation
• For those students who are not able to enter Russia for reasons of COVID-19 restrictions, online learning will be arranged
• Disinfection and mask wearing requirements should be strictly followed; non-compliance may provide ground for demerits

Source text: Ministry of Science and Higher Education

Translation: Yury Nurmeev