Information on the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)
Current Hygiene and Safety Regulations
Since 1 October 2022, a ‘Hygiene Concept for Work on Campus’ applies at the University of Cologne. It contains only a few essential specifications regarding the hygiene and protection measures of the University of Cologne.
The current hygiene and protection measures include:
- It is recommended to wear at least one medical mask in all indoor spaces of the university. For details, please see the applying hygiene concept.
- 3G checks in teaching rooms are suspended until further notice.
Please also take into account all other measures regulated and recommended in the above-mentioned hygiene concept. The hygiene concept is valid until 31.03.2023.
Please note that other regulations may apply to University Hospital Cologne and inform yourself in good time (for example https://medfak.uni-koeln.de/corona).
FAQ
Covid 19 vaccination and Covid-19 booster vaccination information
Information on the Covid 19 vaccination can be found on the RKI homepage, among others: https://www.rki.de/SharedDocs/FAQ/COVID-Impfen/gesamt.html.
The University strongly recommends that all students and employees get vaccinated. Vaccinations have been proven to protect against a serious course of illness. In this way, you protect yourself and make your contribution to preventing the health system from being overburdened.
Employees can also attend vaccination appointments during working hours after consultation with their supervisor (this then counts as working time). Within the framework of DV flexitime, a credit is given if the appointment falls during service time. Work must be resumed immediately before and after the vaccination appointment (provided that the after-effects of the vaccination do not impair the ability to work).
Where can I get information on the effectiveness, side effects etc. of the Covid-19 vaccination?
3G checks and testing capacities
The 3G status of employees and external guests (e.g., employees of external companies) is no longer recorded. Any data stored in this context must be destroyed. Employees (and external visitors) are free to report their 3G status on a voluntary basis. The 3G checks in teaching rooms and in other face-to-face studies will also be suspended from 4 April 2022 until further notice.
The legal obligation for employers to offer self-tests to employees expired in May 2022. At the same time, these tests will no longer be funded by the state of NRW. Nevertheless, the University continues to provide its employees with one self-test per week until further notice. You can apply for this via the Service Help Desk.
Testing options for university employees are described here .
Please note that different regulations may apply on the premises of University Hospital Cologne.
Business trips
From 18 September 2021, business trips (including excursions) to Germany or abroad will again be approved by supervisors through the regular official channels.
Only for business trips to international virus variant areas must an unavoidable necessity be demonstrated. Such business trip requests must be submitted to the Rector or the Chancellor via the supervisor.
As a general rule, business trips should be planned and carried out with care. Depending on the vaccination status, quarantine measures may be required upon return. Therefore, we recommend planning a few days’ home office after return.
Further information on travel modalities can be found on the website of the Federal Ministry of Health: https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/service/gesetze-und-verordnungen/guv-19-lp/coronaeinreisev.html.
How to behave in cases of coronavirus infection and quarantine
Events with external guests (e.g., congresses, conferences, receptions)
Events with external guests are no longer subject to approval. However, the legislator provides for a number of protective measures that the organiser must ensure are complied with. These include, among others:
- Events may only take place in certified rooms. Note that the rooms are made available to the University with priority for teaching and examinations.
- A coronavirus risk assessment (GBU) must be prepared and shown on request. Staff Unit 02.2 (Occupational Health and Safety) will advise you here.
All other detailed questions arise from the currently applying coronavirus protection regulations of the state or the federal government.
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