ICTP's COVID-19 Response

ICTP approaches the COVID-19 emergency with the health and safety of everyone as our top concern. We will therefore continue to gradually reopen the institute with all the necessary caution in a phased approach.

UPDATE: September 2020

ICTP staff are gradually returning to the office. FAQs about the office environment and continued COVID precautions are below.

External visitors will be allowed but should be kept to a minimum. In order to allow tracking, all visitors will be registered at the main entrance of the Leonardo Building.

The cafeteria will re-open on September 14, 2020 with a limited offer, respecting all COVID-19 prevention measures.  It is open weekdays from 12:00 to 13:00. Bar service is available on the terrace outside of the cafeteria weekdays from 09:00 to 14:00. The following preventive measures should be followed:

• All users must sanitize hands when accessing the cafeteria/bar with the gel made available at the entrance.
• Wearing a surgical mask covering nose and mouth is compulsory, and it can be removed only when sitting at the table and drinking/eating.
• Physical distancing from one another of at least one meter should be kept also when sitting at the table.
• Floor markings and directional signage should be followed when moving within the area.
• The external area dedicated to the Cafeteria/Bar is accessible through the canteen only. 
• If possible, payment via contactless card is encouraged so as to avoid contacts while handling cash.

The Marie Curie Library is slowly and safely reopening. To guarantee social distancing, only 17 desks are available to study for now. Priority will be given to ICTP users who do not have their own office space. Desks can be reserved for one day or for half a day, by sending an email to library@ictp.it or calling 040 2240306 or in person.

Books and other printed material can be consulted, borrowed and returned. Document delivery and reference services are available. Lockers are not available.

Library opening hours : Monday to Friday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

FAQs

How should I behave inside ICTP?

• Masks must be worn within the premises, in all circumstances, except within the catering facilities, or when a person is not sharing his/her office or when a distance of 2 meters is respected in the offices. This measure applies to all staff and all persons entering the premises.
• You must wash your hands frequently with soap and water and with the dedicated detergents placed in various locations.
• Continue to maintain the appropriate social distance.
• Only one person at a time should use the elevator, copiers, or bathrooms.
• You should inform the guards when you leave the building/premises.
• Single occupancy in each office is preferred (one person per room), depending on office space and desk distance (more than 2 meters from each other).

What should my health condition be in order to access ICTP?

In order to access the premises:

• you should take your temperature at home and should not come to ICTP if the temperature is above 37.5C; and/or the presence of flu-like symptoms (fever, sore throat, cough, difficulty breathing) or other symptoms attributable to COVID-19 (loss of smell and taste, diarrhea, diffuse joint and muscle pain or other symptoms;
• you should not have been subjected to quarantine measures; if you have tested positive for COVID-19, you should have carried out two negative diagnostic swabs for SARS-COV-2;
• you should not have had contacts with family members, cohabiting partners or friends who are positive for COVID-19 and you should not enter or remain at ICTP in the event of contact with people positive to the virus in the 14 days prior to return.

What sanitation steps is ICTP taking to ensure the safety of the work environment?

Special sanitizing cleaning has taken place and all offices are cleaned on a daily basis following the instructions provided by the Italian authorities. A number of operating and maintenance measures for the ventilation systems have been taken in order to minimise the risks of transmitting the infection.

ICTP has produced an internal document containing its guidelines for  a gradual reopening; it can be downloaded by ICTP staff here.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to raise these through the dedicated email, Coordination-COVID-19@ictp.it. If your question is of a private or confidential nature, please contact the Personnel Office at personnel_office@ictp.it.