FAQ Coronavirus

(Almost) welcome to Hasselt University!

The Coronavirus is still managing our daily lives and additional measures are imposed by the authorities in Belgium. We hope to give you the essential information and contact points so that you can come with peace of mind and so that your time at Hasselt University will still be unforgettable. We have listed all information below, please read it carefully.

This page covers:

1. Will I be able to travel to Belgium?
2. Before I travel to Belgium [UPDATED INFORMATION March 3rd]
3. Covid-PCR testing
4. Travel from the airport to my destination in Hasselt, Diepenbeek or Genk
5. Quarantine... and now what?
6. Not feeling well
7. Registration at town hall
8. Vaccination in Hasselt, Diepenbeek or Genk [UPDATED INFORMATION March 3rd]
9. Money - How do I open my bank account?
10. Insurance
11. Contact information

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1. Will I be able to travel to Belgium?

• This overview lists countries of which people (students + professionals) will not be allowed to enter Belgium due to Covid-19.
• If you are allowed to enter Belgium, please consult this overview. It lists colour codes per country, according to the risk of Covid-19 infection.
• If you are coming from inside of the European Union, please consult this overview.

This scheme offers a visual overview, valid for all students + professionals wanting to enter Belgium.

If you have additional questions, please contact traveladvice@uhasselt.be.

2. Before I travel to Belgium [UPDATED INFORMATION March 3rd]

Passenger Location Form (PLF)

It is mandatory that all international students + professionals complete a Passenger Location Form electronically in the 48 hours before arriving in Belgium. If you are experiencing problems when filling in your PLF, please contact your airline or consult this website.

This form will give you insight in (among other details):

• Your Covid-PCR test measures for entering Belgium (if any)
• Your quarantine measures (if any)

Vaccination

If have been vaccinated against Covid-19, you can need a Covid certificate to travel.

• If you already live(d) in Belgium (if you were a student last academic year at UHasselt) and you were vaccinated in Belgium, you can check which COVID certificate you have at www.covidsafe.be.
• If you don't live in Belgium and you were vaccinated in another country, please apply for the COVID certificate in that country.

Register at the international office

• Be sure to register at the International Office 1 week before you leave for Belgium.

Bank account

• Speed up the process of opening your Belgian bank account by visiting the KBC Bank website.
• We strongly advise you to bring about € 200 in cash as general spending money. We also advise you to bring an extra €100 in cash for Covid-PCR testing. It's a good idea to exchange your own currency for Euro in your home country.
  • NOTE: At this moment it's NOT possible to change money at Brussels Airport. Due to COVID the exchange offices are closed at the airport. Make sure to get euros in advance. The latest updates regarding the exchange offices at Brussels Airport can be found on this website:https://www.brusselsairport.be/nl/passengers/at-the-airport/services/overview/foreign-currency
• If this is not possible, you will be able to exchange it at the Travelex office in Brussels Airport of in Hasselt Train Station (open during office hours 10h-17h, not on Sundays). They only accept notes, no coins.

3. Covid-PCR testing

• Brussels Airport: If you need a Covid-PCR test upon arrival.
  • After filling out your Passenger Locator Form before departure, make sure to save the code you receive. Go to the Website of the Brussels Airport Test Centre, click on "Register here for a test with a prescription code", then "I am not a member of a Belgian health insurance fund or my main residence is not in Belgium". Use the code of your Passenger Location form (without the hyphens!) At the end of the questionnaire you will receive a QR-code. Keep it close, you will need it to take the test in the arrivals hall at Brussels Airport.
  • Please be aware that this test is at your own expense. The PCR test costs about € 55, payable in cash only.
  • Your SIP insurance will not intervene. Your CM insurance will only intervene if you arrive after October 1st, 2021 (semester 1) or April 1st, 2022 (Semester 2).
  • Your CM insurance will intervene if you are testing based on Covid symptoms or contact tracing.
  • Your SIP and CM insurance will not intervene if you get tested for travelling back home.

• Triage Centre in Hasselt: If you need a Covid-PCR tests at another moment (eg. during your quarantine).
  • Get your code for your PCR test via this link. This code will be sent to your your cell phone. If you do not have a Belgian phone number yet, you can enter the one you are currently using. Make sure to enter your full number, including land code!
  • Once you received your code, book an appointment via this website.
  • How to get there?
    • Address: Huisartsenwachtpost, Stadsomvaart 9, 3500 Hasselt.
    • Public Transport: From Hasselt train station, you can take bus H51, H16, H61 or H17 (platform 4) to campus Virga Jessa of Jessa Hospital. The bus ride takes about 8 minutes. To return to the train station, you can take bus H15, H16, H61, H71 on the platform across the hospital. More information can be found on the website www.delijn.be.
    • Free shuttle bus: There is a free shuttle bus between campus Virga Jessa and ‘Koning Boudewijnlaan’. This Shuttle bus 1 drives from Monday to Friday, every 15 minutes, from 6:30 AM till 9:00 PM. The exact bus hours can be found on the website of Jessa hospital (Vertrekuren Pendelbus I).
  • Please be aware that this test is at your own expense. The PCR test costs about € 55. 
  • You can consult your test result here.
  • Make sure to ask for your payment receipt, in case you can get a reimbursement from the CM.
  • Your SIP insurance will not intervene. Your CM insurance will only intervene if you arrive after October 1st, 2021 (semester 1) or April 1st, 2022 (Semester 2).
  • Your CM insurance will intervene if you are testing based on Covid symptoms or contact tracing.
  • Your SIP and CM insurance will not intervene if you get tested for travelling back home.

• Labo Rigo in Genk: If you need a Covid-PCR test and other Covid-related (blood) tests.
  
  • Covid-PCR tests and blood tests can be done without an appointment, every Monday, until and including Saturday from 8 PM - 10 PM.
    • Address: Bosdel 89, 3600 Genk. You will be informed how to get your result.
    • Public Transport: From Campus Diepenbeek you can take bus 45 going to Genk. This is a 15 minute trip, one way.
  • Please be aware that this test is at your own expense. The PCR test costs about € 55, payable in cash only. The cost of your blood test depends on the kind of test(s) you need. 
  • Your SIP insurance will not intervene. Your CM insurance will only intervene if you arrive after October 1st, 2021 (semester 1) or April 1st, 2022 (Semester 2).
  • Your CM insurance will intervene if you are testing based on Covid symptoms or contact tracing.
  • Your SIP and CM insurance will not intervene if you get tested for travelling back home.

• You can download the the Coronalert app on your smart phone. This will make it easier to track your test results and your high risk contacts. More information can be found on this website. This app does not always have the most recent information. If you cannot find your test results/Covid Safe Ticket there, please have a look via www.mijngezondheid.belgie.be (you might need to install https://www.itsme.be/ first).

4. Travel from the airport to my destination in Hasselt, Diepenbeek or Genk

By taxi

Since the use of public transportation is to be avoided as much as possible when there is a mandatory quarantine, we advise you to take a taxi to your destination. You can book your taxi in advance.

Contact: Taxi Patrick

• Email: info@airportservicepatrick.be
• Telephone: 0032 (0)474 74 74 74
• Price: € 80 (to be paid in cash)

By public transport

If it’s not possible to take a taxi, then you can use public transport. You can take a train from the airport to Hasselt. You can buy tickets on this website. Then you can take a taxi from the train station in Hasselt to your destination. Taxis are located in front of the train station in Hasselt. More information: www.uhasselt.be/Contact-and-location.

5. Quarantine... and now what?

If your Passenger Location Form indicates you will need to quarantine in Belgium, this will usually be a period of 10 days.

This website defines the concept of quarantine under the question “What does 'quarantine' mean?”. For information about Covid-PCR testing, see above.

Groceries

If you already know some other students, you can ask their help in doing grocery shopping. Make sure to keep in mind the quarantine measures! They can put the groceries in front of your door for example, to avoid contact.

If you prefer to do your own shopping, you can choose for a home delivery by the supermarket. Take a look at these websites.

• drive.carrefour.eu/nl
  • only in Dutch and French
  • only able to pay with Visa, Mastercard, Maestro and American Express.
  • You’ll pay € 5 extra for the delivery service.

• www.delhaize.be/nl-be/homedelivery
  • only in Dutch and French
  • only able to pay with Visa and Mastercard
  • You’ll pay between € 7 - € 10 extra for the delivery service.

If all of these options are not possible for you, please contact dios@uhasselt.be with the shopping you need for during your quarantine. We'll be glad to assist you!

How do I quarantine in student homes with a shared kitchen and bathroom?

• Contact with other people should be avoided, including people who are staying in the same house/location (always keeping a distance of 1.5m is the overall rule).
• Towels, bed linen and utensils/plates/cooking material should not be shared with other housemates.
• If possible a separate toilet and bathroom should be used.

We’ve informed student home owners about the measures. We asked them to make a time schedule for the use of a shared kitchen. If possible a separate toilet and bathroom should be used. If this is not possible there should be all necessary materials to disinfect everything.

If you have any questions regarding the measures in your student home, please contact the owner of your student home.

6. Not feeling well

Medical contacts

If you feel ill, it's not a good idea to go to a test centre right away. Please, have your symptoms assessed first. To get an assessment in English, please contact medical coördinator Els Panjaer: studentsecurex@uhasselt.be.

If you want to contact a general practitioner yourself, you can find the medical contacts here:

• ON A WEEKDAY FROM 8AM TO 7PM, call a doctor:
• Doctors in Diepenbeek: see this website for contact info.
• Doctors in Hasselt: see this website for contact info.
• ON A WEEKDAY FROM 7PM TO 8AM: call 0032 (0)11 33 22 88
• IN THE WEEKEND and ON HOLIDAYS: call 0032 (0)11 33 65 33

If you don't feel well mentally or emotionally, don't hesitate to reach out to our student psychologist!

7. Registration at town hall

Please contact town hall to ask them for an appointment. Please mention that you’re an international student of UHasselt. Make sure to respect your quarantine, the appointment can ONLY take place when you are out of quarantine.

• If your student home is located in Hasselt, go to https://afspraak.hasselt.be/services, choose 'BZ-Niet-Belgen' and 'Inschrijving vreemdelingenregister'. If you don't have a Belgian telephone number to add, you can use +32 11 26 81 11, the general UHasselt telephone number. Please ask to receive a BIS-number (cf. national insurance number).
• If your student home is located in Diepenbeek, contact burgerzaken@diepenbeek.be.
• If your student home is located in Genk, contact vreemdelingen@genk.be. Please attach a scan/photo of your passport to your e-mail.

Take following documents to your appointment:

• Your passport
• Your rental contract, including your e-mail address
• Your enrollment certificate which clearly mentions your study/internship. You can find this in your student file - if you have trouble finding it, or it doesn't mention your study or internship yet, please contact studentenadministratie@uhasselt.be
• If applicable, proof of your scholarship
• 19 euro for Stad Hasselt, 22 euro for Stad Genk, 15 euro for Gemeente Diepenbeek
• 2 passport pictures for Stad Hasselt, 2 for Stad Genk, 3 for Gemeente Diepenbeek

After your initial appointment, a local police officer will formally determine your address. Afterwards, town hall will contact you about a second appointment for receiving your A-card residence permit.

8. Vaccination in Hasselt, Diepenbeek or Genk [UPDATED INFORMATION March 3rd]

• I have not been vaccinated at all yet. Can I get vaccinated in Belgium?
  • Yes, you can get vaccinated in Belgium. Please follow these steps:
    • You are not a diploma student or a PhD student:
      • When registering at town hall (see “7. Registration at town hall”), ask for a BIS-number or 'rijksregisternummer' (cf. national insurance number). Remember: you can only register at town hall after your quarantine period and after making an appointment!
      • Town hall will automatically transfer your data to the vaccination centre and you can go to the vaccination centre for a free vaccine. Please do make an appointment at the vaccination centre in Hasselt/Diepenbeek or Genk. Bring your BIS- number or ‘rijksregisternummer’ and your identity card/passport. Remember: you can only go after your quarantine period.
    • You are a diploma student or a PhD student:
      • Your BIS number/’rijksregisternummer’ will be visible in your student file.
      • Town hall will automatically transfer your data to the vaccination centre and you can go there for a free vaccine. Please do make an appointment at the vaccination centre in Hasselt/Diepenbeek or Genk. Bring your BIS- number or ‘rijksregisternummer’ and your identity card/passport. Remember: you can only go after your quarantine period.
  • You will receive a European Vaccination Certificate for full vaccination, because your full vaccination took place in Europe. You will be able to use a Covid Safe Ticket.

• I received 1 dose of an EMA approved vaccine (Pfizer (Comirnaty), Moderna (Spikevax), AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria), Jansen (Johnson & Johnson) or Covishield) in my home country. Can I get a second dose in Belgium?
  • Please do make an appointment at the vaccination centre in Hasselt/Diepenbeek or Genk.  Make sure to mention which dose of which vaccine you need.
  • Bring your BIS- number or ‘rijksregisternummer’ (see above) and your identity card/passport.
• Yes, you can get your second dose of the same vaccine in Belgium – except if you have received Covishield. Then your second dose will be an AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria) vaccine.

• I received 1 dose of a non EMA approved vaccine (Sputnik, Sinovac, Sinopharm,…) in my home country. What do I do?
  • Please do make an appointment at the vaccination centre in Hasselt/Diepenbeek or Genk. Make sure to mention you are starting your vaccination process after having received a previous dose of a non EMA approved vaccine.
  • Bring your BIS- number or ‘rijksregisternummer’ (see above) and your identity card/passport.
  • You will have to start the vaccination process over. You can do this at the earliest 4 weeks after your first dose of the non EMA approved vaccine. You will either be vaccinated with Pfizer (Comirnaty) – 2 doses, Moderna (Spikevax) – 2 doses, AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria) – 2 doses, or Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) – 1 dose. Be aware that the Janssen vaccine has an age recommendation of 18 years and older.  You will receive an European Vaccination Certificate for full vaccination, because your full vaccination took place in Europe. You will be able to use a Covid Safe Ticket.
    
    
• I received 2 doses of a non EMA approved vaccine (Sputnik, Sinovac, Sinopharm,…) in my home country. What do I do?
  • If you want to be considered ‘vaccinated’ whilst staying in Belgium, you will have to start the vaccination process over. You can do this at the earliest 4 weeks after your first dose of the non EMA approved vaccine. You will either be vaccinated with Pfizer (Comirnaty) – 2 doses, Moderna (Spikevax) – 2 doses, AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria) – 2 doses, or Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) – 1 dose. Be aware that the Janssen vaccine has an age recommendation of 18 years and older.  You will receive an European Vaccination Certificate for full vaccination, because your full vaccination took place in Europe. You will be able to use a Covid Safe Ticket.
    • Please do make an appointment at the vaccination centre in Hasselt/Diepenbeek or Genk. Make sure to mention you are starting your vaccination process after having received previous doses of a non EMA approved vaccine.
    • Bring your BIS- number or ‘rijksregisternummer’ (see above) and your identity card/passport.
      
      
• I was fully vaccinated with an EMA approved vaccine (Pfizer (Comirnaty), Moderna (Spikevax), AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria), Jansen (Johnson & Johnson) or Covishield) in my home country in Europe. Will I be able to use my vaccination certificate QR code to receive a Covid Safe Ticket?
  • Yes, if you were fully vaccinated in Europe, you will be able to use your vaccination certificate QR code to receive a Covid Safe Ticket in Belgium.
    
    
• I was fully vaccinated with an EMA approved vaccine (Pfizer (Comirnaty), Moderna (Spikevax), AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria), Jansen (Johnson & Johnson) or Covishield) in my home country outside of Europe. Will I be able to use my vaccination certificate QR code to receive a Covid Safe Ticket?
  • No, you will not automatically be able to use your vaccination certificate QR code to receive a Covid Safe Ticket in Belgium. To convert your vaccination certificate(s), please fill in this form with all needed details.
  • If you would like to receive a booster vaccination in Belgium, your previous vaccinations need to be converted first, as in the bullet point before this one.

Practical information

Here is how you reach the vaccination centre in Hasselt/Diepenbeek. (Google Maps). You might also have noticed the teal coloured road signs pointing to the vaccination centre, when walking/biking around Hasselt.

Here is how you reach the vaccination centre in Genk. (Google Maps).

Important general remarks

• Vaccination centres in Hasselt/Diepenbeek and Genk are currently still open (Hasselt: +32 11 37 20 64)!
• You can download the the Coronalert app on your smart phone. This will make it easier to track your test results and your high risk contacts. More information can be found on this website. This app does not always have the most recent information. If you cannot find your test results/Covid Safe Ticket there, please have a look via www.mijngezondheid.belgie.be (you might need to install https://www.itsme.be/ first).
• Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory, but it is very strongly recommended. Please inform yourself via this official overview.

9. Money - How do I open my bank account?

If you cannot use your own bank account when you are in Belgium, then you can open a Belgian bank account. Below you can find the process to do so.

In order to speed up the opening of a Belgian bank account we hereby provide you with some more information. Via the link below, you can already start the process for opening a bank account:

www.kbc.be/retail/en/products/payments/current-accounts/gratis-zichtrekening-openen.html

You will have to enter some personal data, as well as upload some documents, so be prepared :

• A clear photo or copy of your identity card or passport
• Proof of your current domicile address (e.g., a declaration from your local authority or a copy of a utilities bill). Ensure this document bears a signature and date
• Proof of your future school or place of work (this could be your acceptance letter from UHasselt

Upon your arrival, you just have to send one more document which you receive after registration at the town hall (this procedure can also be done electronically, more info will follow).

10. Insurance

Make sure to take care of your insurance. More information can be found on this website.

11. Contact information

Who can help me when I have urgent questions or when I don’t know what to do?

• International office:
• for general questions: traveladvice@uhasselt.be
• for specific questions about the quarantine boxes: brigitta.bijloos@uhasselt.be
• for other urgent questions or problems: leen.lambrechts@uhasselt.be; +32 (0)474 32 64 38 (you can also send a WhatsApp message).
• For questions related to the content of your studies (study programme, …): contact your faculty international coordinator or programme coordinator www.uhasselt.be/en#_studiekiezer
• Buddy - your buddy is ready for you:
• You will be contacted by a colleague of the International Office to enter the buddy programme.
• The European Student Network (ESN) is an international student organisation, represented at Hasselt University. If you have questions you rather want to ask to a colleague-student, you can always get in touch with them
• Via messenger: www.facebook.com/esnhasselt
• Via their facebook-group: ESN has a closed facebook group for international students of 2020-2021 (newcomers and 2-year master students are welcome). https://www.facebook.com/groups/357339798583789
• Via Whatsapp: the link to the whatsapp chat can be found on the facebook group.
• At the start of each semester, orientation days are organised for international students to show them around Hasselt University and give them information about administrative procedures, the electronic learning environment, insurance, Belgian culture, student societies, bicycle renting, etc. Furthermore, these days are an ideal opportunity to get to know other (international) students at Hasselt University. Find the programme and some more information online: www.uhasselt.be/orientation-programme

Covid measures

Please note that all Covid measures in Belgium change constantly, so for up-to-date information, please take a look at this webpage https://www.info-coronavirus.be/en/faq/.

Specific measures for Hasselt & Diepenbeek:

• Hasselt  (please use Google Translate)
• Diepenbeek (please use Google Translate)

How to wear a mask?

For information on Covid-PCR testing, please consult this webpage.

What if I don’t follow the quarantine protocol or other measures?

We should all take COVID-19 seriously. It is important to adhere to the measures to protect yourself and the people you’re living with. We want to advise you to follow all measures to the best of your ability. When you don’t follow the COVID-measures you risk a fine of € 250 - € 500.

Stay healthy!

If you need a test to return to your home country, please notify the test centre explicitly about this before you take your test! They will then make sure that you receive your test result on your smart phone.

• Triage Centre in Hasselt: If you only need a Covid-PCR test.
  • Get your code for your PCR test via this link. This code will be sent to your your cell phone. If you do not have a Belgian phone number yet, you can enter the one you are currently using. Make sure to enter your full number, including land code!
  • Once you received your code, book an appointment via this website.
  • How to get there?
    • Address: Huisartsenwachtpost, Stadsomvaart 9, 3500 Hasselt.
    • Public Transport: From Hasselt train station, you can take bus H51, H16, H61 or H17 (platform 4) to campus Virga Jessa of Jessa Hospital. The bus ride takes about 8 minutes. To return to the train station, you can take bus H15, H16, H61, H71 on the platform across the hospital. More information can be found on the website www.delijn.be.
    • Free shuttle bus: There is a free shuttle bus between campus Virga Jessa and ‘Koning Boudewijnlaan’. This Shuttle bus 1 drives from Monday to Friday, every 15 minutes, from 6:30 AM till 9:00 PM. The exact bus hours can be found on the website of Jessa hospital (Vertrekuren Pendelbus I).
  • Please be aware that this test is at your own expense. The PCR test costs about € 55. 
  • You can consult your test result here.
  • Your SIP and CM insurance will not intervene if you get tested for travelling back home.

• Labo Rigo in Genk: If you need a Covid-PCR test and other Covid-related (blood) tests.
  
  • Covid-PCR tests and blood tests can be done without an appointment, every Monday, until and including Saturday from 8 PM - 10 PM.
    • Address: Bosdel 89, 3600 Genk. You will be informed how to get your result.
    • Public Transport: From Campus Diepenbeek you can take bus 45 going to Genk. This is a 15 minute trip, one way.
  • Please be aware that this test is at your own expense. The PCR test costs about € 55, payable in cash only. The cost of your blood test depends on the kind of test(s) you need. 
  • Your SIP and CM insurance will not intervene if you get tested for travelling back home.

• You can download the the Coronalert app on your smart phone. This will make it easier to track your test results and your high risk contacts. More information can be found on this website.

Below you will find specific information regarding the corona measures at Hasselt University. If the answer to your question is not listed, please contact coronavirus@uhasselt.be.

Edited 4 February 2022.