Handling of coronavirus at the RWU
What precautionary measures are taken at the RWU to counteract the spread of coronavirus?
Due to the continuous increase in the number of people infected with the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in Baden-Württemberg, further measures are required in our state and hence also in the responsibility of the Ministry of Science. These measures are designed to support the nationwide measures and have the goal of counteracting the further spread of the coronavirus.
Lectures and University operation
In a decree of 11 March 2020, the Ministry of Science informed the state's universities that the lecture period will be postponed until April 20th, 2020 and lectures, that already begun, will be interrupted until that date. This concerns all teaching and examination formats. In order to ensure a uniform and legally compliant start of lectures, e-learning formats are also included.
The examinations, originally postponed to March 21th, 2020 due to the storm "Sabine", are expected to take place from April 20th, 2020. The exact substitute examination date will be announced in time.
Bachelor's and Master's degree colloquia can be held in camera.
The schedule decided by the Senate will be revised. Committee meetings will only be held until April 20th, 2020, when they are absolutely necessary.
Conferences, congresses or other dates with external participation at the university are to be limited to what is absolutely necessary.
Questions regarding an extension of the lecture period due to the late start are currently being clarified in consultation with the Ministry of Science and under consideration of the responsibility of the Senate. Information on this will follow.
Notes and rules of conduct
Employees, who show typical cold and flu symptoms, are encouraged to stay at home. The regulations on absences due to illness remain unchanged. With immediate effect, patients with mild upper respiratory tract diseases can obtain a certificate of incapacity to work (AU) for a maximum of seven days after consulting their doctor by telephone. You do not need to visit the doctor's office for this.
All employees of the university are requested to reduce meetings, events and other appointments to the absolutely necessary minimum. Please try to make more use of technical possibilities such as telephone or video conferences.
Employees, who suffer from a weakened immune system due to chronic illness or other cause,s are requested to talk to their superiors. In such cases, the aim must be to give those affected the opportunity to work in the home office temporarily. If home office work is not possible or only possible to a very limited extent, the possibility of taking time off work with continued payment of remuneration should also be examined. In cases of doubt, please contact the personnel department.
If your child's day care centre or school closes due to coronavirus disease, the employees must take care of your child themselves. If the necessary childcare cannot be provided even then, employees have the option of using recreational leave or time credits or taking unpaid leave. In addition, the possibility of home office employment can be discussed with superiors. If the child of a legally insured person falls ill himself or herself, one parent is entitled to ten days' leave per calendar year and can receive "child sickness benefit" for this time.
Returnees from risk areas
In recent weeks, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) has declared a growing number of regions as risk areas or particularly affected areas. Please check the RKI website or media regularly for information on the current situation, especially after returning from trips.
Employees and students who have stayed in a risk area have to work at home. If typical cold or flu symptoms occur, you should first consult your doctor after making an appointment by telephone and referring to the previous trip. Please contact the university subsequently - students contact the student administration, by telephone on 0751/501 9344, employees contact their superiors.
Superiors are requested to agree flexible and independent forms of work with returnees from risk areas, such as home office, as far as this is justifiable for reasons of service. If this is not possible, these persons shall, in consultation with their superiors, remain at home for 14 days from the time they left the risk area. After examining the case, these employees will be released from work for this period with continued payment of their salary or wages.
Business trips and excursions
Business trips or excursions to high-risk areas or a particularly affected area are prohibited; if they have already been approved, business trip approvals must be revoked.
In all other respects, business trips or excursions shall only be approved to the extent that they are absolutely necessary.
Communication
For your further questions, the university has set up the following e-mail address: info_corona@rwu.de
Please also check the website of our university regularly. This will be updated continually in case of changes.
Precaution: How can I protect myself from the coronavirus?
- Wash your hands regularly.
- Avoid shaking hands and hugs.
- Cough and sneeze into a disposable handkerchief or the crook of your arm yourself. Wash your hands afterwards.
- Use only disposable handkerchiefs and dispose of them in a dustbin after use.
- Ventilate rooms regularly.
- In addition, the university has procured dispenser with disinfectant, which are placed at various central locations of the university.
Symptoms: How do I recognize a possible illness?
The incubation period for an infection with the coronavirus is about ten days (one to 14 days). Visitors, students and people returning to Germany who have spent the last few weeks in risk areas should be aware of the following symptoms:
- fever, cough, shortness of breath, colds
- sore throat, aching limbs
- general morbidity
Whom should I approach?
If you develop a fever, cough or shortness of breath within 14 days of arrival from one of these areas,
- after making an appointment by telephone and referring to your journey, consult a doctor
- avoid unnecessary contacts
- stay at home
- when coughing and sneezing, keep your distance from others and turn away; hold the crook of your arm in front of your mouth and nose or use a handkerchief, which you should dispose of immediately (coughing and sneezing etiquette)
- wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water regularly, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth (hand hygiene).
Points of contact in case of suspicion
- State Health Office Baden-Württemberg
0711 904-39555 (telephone hotline: on weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
- District administration Ravensburg
Public Health Department
Gartenstrasse 107, 88212 Ravensburg
0751 85-5311
ges@landkreis-ravensburg.de
General information on coronavirus and the situation in Baden-Württemberg:
