Course entry requirements
As part of our strict health protocols, all staff and faculty who come on campus must have a valid COVID certificate (either vaccinated, recovered from COVID or tested).
Valid COVID-19 certificate based on:
- Fully vaccinated, or
- Recovered from COVID within the last six months, or
- Negative PCR test within the previous 72 hours of start date
If based on a negative PCR test, IMD will provide a further PCR test on Campus upon arrival.
Valid COVID-19 certificate based on:
- Fully vaccinated, or
- Recovered from COVID within the last six months
Participants who do not meet the above criteria are unable to participate in programs lasting more than five days.
A COVID certificate proves that you have been fully vaccinated, have been recovered from the disease within the last six months or have had a valid negative PCR test result for a test taken within the previous 72 hours.
Switzerland is participating in the EU digital COVID certificate scheme, a widely-recognized format that can be presented in digital or paper format.
We strongly encourage our entire community to get vaccinated against COVID-19. With more than 4.7 billion doses administered globally so far, the evidence is overwhelming and clear that vaccination is very safe and greatly reduces the chances and severity of infection.
We've rearranged our campus and classrooms
As every participant on campus meets our strict COVID requirements, the restrictions and limitations have been lifted. In line with Swiss authorities' instructions, we have expanded our rooms' capacity.
At IMD, we give special consideration to increased ventilation when occupancy is high. We ensure proper ventilation with outside air, while maximising air conditioning.
We aim at creating an optimal learning environment, and therefore from 15 August 2021 onward we will require all guests and participants attending our on-campus programs to provide a COVID-19 certificate valid for the duration of the activities on campus.
IMD will continue to apply protocols that aim to safeguard to the fullest possibility the health and wellbeing of both participants and the community at large, in compliance with Swiss Federal guidelines.
In public spaces (e.g. hallways, lunch line in the restaurant), masks must still be worn.
What you can do
We will send you a standard COVID-19 enquiry online form to complete as part of the program onboarding process where you can upload required documentation. Again, as standard health and safety process, we will do a check of documents at the start of the program.
While we are doing everything we can to ensure the health and wellbeing of our community, continued action and care at an individual level in line with official health guidance can make all the difference in reducing the risk of infection.
Before arriving on campus, please download and install the SwissCovid app from the normal app stores, created and supported by the Swiss government, and leave it activated it during your stay:
Learn more about travel to and entering Switzerland. The section “Travelcheck” is a very useful questionnaire and guide to check whether and under what conditions you can enter Switzerland.
Frequently asked questions
The COVID certificate is a way of documenting that you have been vaccinated for COVID-19, have had the disease or have a negative test result.
The validity period varies according to whether your COVID certificate documents a vaccination, recovery from COVID-19 or a negative test. The validity may be adjusted on the basis of new scientific data.
Important: The following information is valid in Switzerland. Other countries may specify different periods of validity.
For people who have been vaccinated
365 days from when the last vaccine dose was administered
For people who have recovered from COVID
The certificate is valid from the 11th day after the positive test result and lasts for 180 days from the date of the test result.
For people who have tested negative
PCR test: 72 hours from when the sample was taken
Rapid antigen test: 48 hours from when the sample was taken
A digital COVID certificate (the EU Digital COVID Certificate) is also being introduced by the EU and other EFTA states. Switzerland’s COVID certificate is interoperable with the EU’s; they are mutually recognised.
The “EU digital COVID Certificate” is designed to facilitate safe travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been in use since 1 July 2021. States have a six-week transitional period to introduce the certificate. Individual states will decide how the certificate can be used. For this reason you should inform yourself about the entry requirements of the country you are travelling to.
Fully vaccinated is considered to be satisfying the 2-dose or other “fully vaccinated” requirements for the specific vaccine. IMD will accept certifications of full vaccination for vaccines authorized in Switzerland / EU or recognised by the World Health Organization. Download the latest WHO list (PDF).
All lists of approved vaccines are evolving. IMD will continue to monitor this list and will evolve accordingly.
Medical certification of natural immunity from recovery will be accepted as long as contracted and recovered no more than 6-months prior to the program start date.
However, please contact your program coordinator as we will examine all situations on a case by case basis.
Please contact your respective client sales team or program director to discuss your concerns and, if necessary, make alternative arrangements.
If you do not have a personal contact, please fill in the contact us form below.
According to the World Health Organization, the main symptoms of COVID-19 include a persistent cough, fever and difficulty in breathing.
Any participant or staff member who has difficulty in breathing, a cough or a fever whilst on campus should report immediately to the infirmary at the Maersk McKinney Moller Center, where the individual will be isolated and the health authorities will be informed accordingly.
Contact us
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.