Information on the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)

Here you will find information provided by the Rectorate of the University of Cologne on current measures taken in regard to the coronavirus ( SARS CoV-2 ). This page is updated regularly.

The Rectorate urges you to take a reasonable approach to the current situation and to be sensible and non-discriminatory when addressing the topic and dealing with each other.

The hygiene and infection protection measures for the winter semester 2020/21 are laid down in the Hygiene and Protection Directive of the University of Cologne.

Currently, some restrictions instituted by the state apply which go beyond the University’s Directive. See also:
Nationwide Lockdown until 31 January | Impact University of Cologne

General Information

Information for Students and Faculty

Information for Employees

Updates

Changes as of 13 January2021, 4 p.m.

The state government has specified the requirements for studying and teaching in the current general decree for the period until 31January 2021.
The following therefore currently applies at the university: Beginning on 11 January 2021, the following state requirements will apply to the University:

Face-to-face teaching
Face-to-face teaching de facto stays prohibited at the moment. Until at least 31 January, the state regulations allow for strictly limited exceptions: In individual cases, face-to-face classroom events remain permissible if they cannot be either carried out remotely or postponed to a date after 31 January 2021 without serious disadvantages for the students.

The Faculties will now check on a case-by-case basis which courses fulfil these requirements and can therefore be held face to face, and will inform students accordingly.

It is not possible to say for sure at the moment whether these or similar state regulations will apply beyond 31 January. At present, the University is planning that at least those courses that meet the exception criteria outlined above will also be able to take place in attendance in February. The Faculties will therefore already check the fulfilment of the exception criteria for all upcoming face-to-face classroom events in February and inform students accordingly.

However, whether they can actually be carried out face to face depends on the further regulations of the state.

As already announced, all teaching that does not require physical attendance will continue to be carried out remotely until the end of the winter semester.

Face-to-face examinations
Face-to-face examinations and preparatory measures for them are only permissible until at least 31 January 2021 if they cannot be postponed after 31 January 2021 for legal or factual reasons or if the postponement is unreasonable for the examinee.
Here, too, the Faculties will check promptly on a case-by-case basis which examinations and preparatory measures fulfil these exceptional circumstances and can therefore be carried out face to face, and will inform students accordingly.

Since it is also not possible to say for sure whether these or similar state regulations will apply beyond 31 January, the University assumes that at least those examinations that meet the exception criteria outlined above will also be able to take place face to face in February.

The Faculties will therefore check the fulfilment of the exception criteria for all upcoming face-to-face examinations in February as well in a timely manner and inform students accordingly.

However, whether they can actually be carried out face to face also depends on the further regulations of the state.

Comprehensive hygiene and infection control measures
Until the end of the winter semester (31 March 2021), all face-to-face examinations and face-to-face teaching will only be conducted in compliance with the hygiene and infection protection measures of the University of Cologne. These include, among other things, observing the minimum safety distance, mandatory mouth-and–nose covers, contact tracing, and the documentation of measures in a risk assessment.

Changes as of 08 January 2021, 2 p.m.

Changes as of 15 December 2020, 7 a.m.

At a glance:

At present, face-to-face teaching and examinations are largely prohibited by Section 6.1 of the Corona Protection Ordinance of North Rhine-Westphalia (CoronaSchV NRW) and are only permitted in narrowly defined exceptions. Even if the current regulation is relaxed at some point, teaching at the UoC should – whenever possible – be carried our virtually until the end of the winter semester 2020/2021 (31 March 2021).
In the winter semester 2020/21 and in the summer semester 20202021, a free shot attempt regulation (Freiversuchsregelung) applies. In addition, for the summer semester 2020 and the winter semester 2020/21, the standard period of study has been extended.
Regular library lending operations are permitted again under certain conditions. However, working in libraries remains prohibited.
Mouth-and-nose covers must be worn and the minimum safety distance observed in all buildings used by the University.
House bans are in effect to reduce the risk of infection.
Whenever possible, University employees should work from home and minimize their presence at the University. At the same time, work in research and administration continues.
Recreational activities, such as university sports, music rehearsals, or theatre, are not possible until further notice.
All business travel and face-to-face work meetings that are not absolutely necessary should be cancelled. In cases of compelling necessity, the dean or the head of the central institution is responsible for authorizing business trips and field trips/excursions. For the central administration, the chancellor decides. Business trips to high-risk areas are not permitted.
For every case of a person’s physical presence at the University, the Hygiene and Protection Directive as well as legal regulations for contact tracing according to Section 2a of the Corona Protection Ordinance must be observed. Employees are requested to provide their contact details.
Until the end of the winter semester (31 March 2021), the premises of the University remain reserved for face-to-face examinations and teaching as well as other events required for official purposes. Until then, no rooms within the University can be made available for other classroom events (especially those with external participants, e.g. conferences, meetings, workshops).

Information office

The University has set up an information office for students, faculty, and staff. It can be reached via the following e-mail address:
info-praeventionverw.uni-koeln.de