TH-Wildau - News
Effects of the SARS-CoV-2 Infection Protection Basic Measures Ordinance from 3 April 2022
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:
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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.
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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
More information at en.th-wildau.de/corona.