Corona-Virus

Dear colleagues,
Dear students,

The strong recommendation to wear a mask indoors at the university continues to apply. The Crisis Team recommends using FFP2 masks (without a valve), as these offer a higher level of self-protection and protection from others than medical masks.

Dear colleagues,
Dear students,

Due to the ongoing positive overall development of the Corona pandemic, the Crisis Team has decided to change the current compulsory wearing of masks into a recommendation to voluntarily wear a mask inside our premises. This regulation is being implemented in consultation and agreement with the other universities in Brandenburg and will take effect immediately until revoked.

Furthermore, if you would like to wear a mask, the Crisis Team recommends using FFP2 masks (without a valve), as these offer a higher level of protection for yourself and other persons.

Dear colleagues,
dear students,

As communicated in the last update of 1 April 2022, the mask requirement continues to apply on the premises of TH Wildau as follows:

• 1. The use of a medical mask (OP or FFP2 mask (without valve)) is still mandatory for all rooms at the university. This also applies to so-called circulation areas such as corridors. In general, however, the Crisis Team recommends the use of FFP2 masks (without a valve), as these offer better intrinsic and extrinsic protection.

• 2. The following exceptions to the regulation mentioned under 1. apply with immediate effect, concerning lectures and seminars as well as meeting rooms and all events at the TH Wildau. The mask can be placed at the seat if it is ensured that distances of at least 1.50 m are maintained. In this context, we are reintroducing the "Teaching Zone" in the lecture halls and seminar rooms, which was already used in the previous winter semester. Here, too, teachers but also, for example, lecturing students, can (not "must"!), take off their masks.

• 3. The same regulation as mentioned under 1. and 2. applies to the University Library, i.e. the obligation to wear a medical mask (OP or FFP2 mask (without valve), which can be removed when maintaining a distance of at least 1.50 m.

Please take note of this and feel free to refer colleagues to the Corona website if you are unsure or have any questions.

Dear colleagues,
dear students,

The state of Brandenburg has also joined in the extensive phasing out of nationwide corona measures and passed the SARS-CoV-2 Infection Protection Basic Measures Ordinance (SARS-CoV-2-Infektionsschutz-Basismaßnahmenverordnung). It comes into force on 3 April 2022 and is initially valid up to and including 30 April 2022. The basis for this is the new § 28a paragraph 7 of the Infection Protection Act (IfSG) of the federal government, according to which the federal states can now only order a few so-called basic protection measures without a parliamentary resolution. 

We would like to take this opportunity to inform you about the impact of these new regulations on our daily study and work routine. On the one hand, we are guided by the idea of being able to continue the lectures that have already started as planned. After all, we are already in the third week of lectures. On the other hand, we as the TH Wildau - like all universities nationwide - are striving to implement the now increasingly possible presence on site in the best possible way. Against this background, the Crisis Team of TH Wildau made the following decisions in its meeting on 31 March 2022:

Room and lesson planning

Basically, the following now applies: Due to the minimum distances that no longer have to be observed, it is now possible again to use all rooms (lecture halls, seminar rooms, meeting rooms, offices, laboratories, etc.) in "pre-pandemic normal occupancy" with up to 100 percent of the room capacity.

The previous obligatory seating plan ("chequerboard pattern") in the courses or the capacity limits in meeting rooms will also no longer apply.

The timetable for the summer semester was already published on Friday, 4 February 2022, and remains valid despite the above-mentioned change! You can view the schedule as usual at https://www.th-wildau.de/im-studium/stundenplan-und-pruefungsplan.

Mandatory masks

With the above-mentioned SARS-CoV-2 infection protection basic measures ordinance of the state of Brandenburg, the previous obligation to wear a mask also ceases to apply to universities. However, the universities in Brandenburg and within the German Rectors' Conference (Hochschulrektorenkonferenz, HRK) agree that the goal of increasing presence is incompatible with the complete abolition of the mask requirement. In this light, the universities continue to adhere to the wearing of masks. This is also the case at TH Wildau, which will maintain the mask requirement based on a risk assessment in accordance with §§ 5 and 6 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Universities are characterised by different formats, which involve close contact. In this context, distances cannot always be maintained, so that universities are definitely at particular risk.

All universities also share the view that wearing a mask offers particularly effective protection against infection with relatively little restriction.

These considerations lead to the following regulations at the TH Wildau:

• 1. The use of a medical mask (OP or FFP2 mask (without valve)) is still mandatory for all rooms at the university. This also applies to so-called circulation areas such as corridors.
  In general, however, the Crisis Team recommends the use of FFP2 masks (without a valve), as these offer better intrinsic and extrinsic protection.

• 2. The following exceptions to the regulation mentioned under 1. apply with immediate effect, concerning lectures and seminars as well as meeting rooms and all events at the TH Wildau. The mask can be placed at the seat if it is ensured that distances of at least 1.50 m are maintained. In this context, we are reintroducing the "Teaching Zone" in the lecture halls and seminar rooms, which was already used in the previous winter semester. Here, too, teachers but also, for example, lecturing students, can (not "must"!), take off their masks.

• 3. The same regulation as mentioned under 1. and 2. applies to the University Library, i.e. the obligation to wear a medical mask (OP or FFP2 mask (without valve), which can be removed when maintaining a distance of at least 1.50 m.

3-G status and compulsory testing

The previous regulations on checking the 3 G status or on "3 G at the workplace" are no longer applicable. The previous obligation to test also ceases to apply.

This means that any person, regardless of individual vaccination, convalescent or test status, may enter the premises of the university.

There is also no longer any control - neither in attendance courses nor in the context of a work activity at the university.

Corresponding posters still on campus will be removed successively.

Home office regulations

As already communicated on 16 February 2022, the blanket home office regulations made in the context of the Corona pandemic were extended until 30 April 2022. This does not change and the regulation will be maintained as communicated.

This means in detail:

• The period of validity for existing home office agreements is extended until 30.4.2022. Existing agreements do not require a separate written form.
• New home office agreements can be concluded for the period until 30.4.2022. Please continue to use the template for home office agreements available on the website at www.th-wildau.de/corona for this purpose.
• If such a home office agreement exists or is concluded, it is not necessary to conclude an agreement on alternating teleworking in accordance with the ATMA for the period until 30 April 2022.

Contact tracing not applicable

Also on 16 February 2022, we had communicated the discontinuation of contact tracking. The Crisis Team would nevertheless like to point out at this point that our WebApp for contact tracing can still be used on a voluntary basis.

An equally good alternative, which can also be used on a voluntary basis - and beyond the university context - is the CoronaWarnApp of the Federal Government and the RKI.

Hygiene concept and Corona website

Corona website and hygiene concept will be adapted to the new regulations and can be found here as before:

• Corona website: https://en.th-wildau.de/corona
• Hygiene concept: https://en.th-wildau.de/files/2_Dokumente/Sonstiges/Hygiene_Concept.pdf

One final word:

The responsibility for protecting oneself and others in connection with the corona pandemic is increasingly shifting to each individual. As a university and public institution, we find ourselves in a field of tension between implementing the political guidelines in accordance with the respective valid regulations and at the same time bearing responsibility for our students, teaching staff and employees. We remain convinced that every avoided infection is more important than every (even) mild illness. Therefore, we ask you to be careful with yourself and your fellow human beings, fellow students and colleagues and to continue to behave prudently and considerately, because the pandemic is not over yet.

The Crisis Team will continue to meet once a week and can be reached at the familiar email address krisenstab(at)th-wildau.de.

The Crisis Team would also like to take this opportunity to appeal once again to those who have not yet been vaccinated at this stage: Please consider still getting vaccinated, because vaccinations offer the most effective protection against severe or fatal courses of disease associated with the SARS Cov2 virus and are a crucial building block for more and safer presence at our university.

All the above regulations apply from Monday 3 April 2022 until revoked.

Stay healthy - and enjoy the spring and summer.

Your Crisis Team

Dear colleagues,
dear students,

The Crisis Team would like to provide you with some current information below, which on the one hand concerns the upcoming summer semester, but is also due to the new containment ordinance of the state of Brandenburg, which has been in effect since Wednesday, 9 February 2022.

Timetable summer semester 2022

The timetable for the coming summer semester was published on Friday, 4 February 2022 and can be viewed as usual at https://www.th-wildau.de/im-studium/stundenplan-und-pruefungsplan.

Here you can also see whether your class is planned face-to-face or online.

If, for example due to necessary changes in the pandemic situation, a change from a face-to-face event to an online event is necessary, this will be communicated one to two weeks in advance and also in the above-mentioned plan.

Home office regulations

Due to the continuing special situation, the blanket home office regulations made in the context of the Corona pandemic will be extended until 30.4.2022.

This means in detail:

• The period of validity for existing home office agreements shall be extended until 30.4.2022. Existing agreements do not require a separate written form.
• New home office agreements can be concluded for the period until 30.4.2022. Please continue to use the template for home office agreements available on the website at www.th-wildau.de/corona for this purpose.
• If such a home office agreement exists or has been concluded, it is not necessary to conclude a new agreement for the period up to 28.4.2022 on alternating teleworking in accordance with the general agreement on teleworking (Dienstvereinbarung ATMA).

Contact tracing

Due to a change in the currently valid Containment Ordinance in §25, contact tracing for universities is no longer required. There is therefore no longer an obligation to use our web app for contact tracing.

However, it can still be used on a voluntary basis. An equally good alternative, which can also be used on a voluntary basis - and beyond the university context - is the CoronaWarnApp of the Federal Government and the RKI.

Mandatory masks

From now on, FFP2 masks are mandatory in the university library. This change results from §13 of the currently valid containment ordinance of the state of Brandenburg.

For all other premises of the university, the use of a medical mask (OP or FFP2 mask (without valve)) is still mandatory.

However, the crisis team's urgent recommendation is to use FFP2 masks here as well, as these offer a higher level of self-protection and protection from others.

Dear colleagues,
Dear students,

Following on from last week's email, the Crisis Team would like to go back over and clarify a number of issues in this email, particularly in relation to the upcoming examinations.

3G status

Checking the 3G status is the responsibility of the examiners. Unlike in the face-to-face lectures/seminars during the semester, in this case it is compulsory for each person at the examination.

Please plan enough time before the examinations depending on the expected number of people. Of course, this check can also be carried out directly as part of the attendance check.

If you are confronted with foreign certificates, they are valid in principle, but must at least be in English. A German translation is not mandatory.

In this context, we would like to point out once again that the university still has numerous self-tests that can be collected from the gatehouse in building 13 and used and offered on a voluntary basis. Each examiner is welcome to take a certain supply with them into the exam - and to offer this to the students in order to further strengthen mutual trust.

Withdrawal from examinations (= notice of withdrawal)

If students are unable to attend an examination due to illness, isolation or quarantine, a notice of withdrawal is required.

With sickness certificate

• Send a fully completed notification of examination prevention including proof (e.g. a sick note) to the Examinations Board no later than 3 days after the examination.

Without sickness certificate

• If you do not have a sick note, e.g. because you have gone into self-quarantine on your own responsibility as the contact person of a person who is demonstrably infected with Corona, please also hand in a fully completed notification that you are unable to take the examination, including all available evidence, and briefly describe this case in writing by e-mail to the Examinations Board.

Everyone involved is encouraged to act flexibly and unproblematically. Nevertheless, the framework regulations of the university set certain guidelines that must be adhered to.

We wish you all a successful examinations period.

Dear colleagues,
dear students,

We wish you a healthy new year and only the best for 2022.

The examination period always places special demands on you as participants and on the university as a whole - especially in connection with the corona pandemic. Nevertheless, we hope that we are in a somewhat better starting position this winter semester than we were a year ago.

Above all, vaccinations as a decisive instrument for self- and community protection, extensive testing possibilities, a coordinated hygiene concept and our careful approach, which is always in line with the respective valid political requirements ("Containment Ordinance"), as well as not least the experiences of the past examination periods all strengthen our conviction that we will also be able to successfully manage this examination period.

In this way, we would also like to inform you about the most important current regulations - especially with regard to the upcoming and partly already ongoing examinations:

General

• The present examination schedule remains in place. In the event that students cannot take part in an examination (e.g. due to illness and/or an ordered quarantine), a sick note is required so that the examination attempt is not counted. Due to the pandemic situation, an application for a change of the examination format can be submitted to the respective examination board in particularly justified cases. Please note the deadlines to be observed for this or enquire about this in your respective faculty.
• We ask the examiners to offer timely and flexible  options for repeat examinations in view of the still difficult situation.
• During the examinations, room ventilation must be carried out in accordance with our hygiene concept. In this context, please remember to wear seasonally appropriate clothing perhaps even one more sweater or jacket will be is necessary.

Wearing masks

• For all classroom events, i.e. also examinations, there is an obligation to wear a medical mask (OP or FFP2 mask (without valve)) during the entire event. This also applies when participants are in their seats (cf. update of 25.11.2021 at en.th-wildau.de/corona).
• In general, the Crisis Team recommends wearing an FFP2 mask.

3G rule

• The exams are also subject to the 3G rule, just like any other face-to-face event. This means that only vaccinated, recovered or negatively tested persons are admitted and must show appropriate proof upon request.
• A negative test requires the submission of a rapid antigen test ("citizen test") or a PCR test. Testing by means of a rapid antigen test must have been carried out no more than 24 hours previously. A PCR test must have been performed no more than 48 hours previously.
• The examiners have the right and the duty to personally check the 3G status of the students before the examination begins. Please plan for this extra time or arrive at the respective room with sufficient advance notice.

Here is an overview of possible test stations for the free citizen tests:

• LK Dahme-Spreewald: https://www.dahme-spreewald.info/sixcms/detail.php/70521
• Berlin: https://www.berlin.de/corona/testzentren/

Who does the testing requirement apply for?

• The testing requirement only applies to those who have not been vaccinated or recovered. Vaccinated or recovered persons must nevertheless carry their vaccination/ recovery certificate with them and show it on request. Additional testing is not necessary and may not be required as a further "entry requirement" for attendance events.
• Self-tests are still available at the gatehouse, house 13. These can be used as an additional safeguard by all students as well as colleagues on their own responsibility and voluntarily, also by vaccinated or recovered persons. However, they do not count as proof of testing in the sense of the above-mentioned compulsory testing.

All the best, good luck, and stay healthy!