New Protection Ordinance Changes to the coronavirus regulations at RUB

The federal government’s new Coronavirus Protection Ordinance will apply from 20 August up to and including 17 September 2021 and has been significantly reduced in scope. The specific regulations for individual areas of professional and social life have been discontinued, and there are also no longer any specific regulations for universities. Instead, general regulations now apply in all areas of life. This is based on the idea that as many restrictions as possible should be dropped for people who have been vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19. Non-immunised persons are obliged to regularly get tested for the virus.

The most significant changes are relevant for the exam phase in the current summer semester and for all kinds of courses, such as workshops or block seminars: if the incidence rate is above 35, for example, the examiners must ensure that all students fulfil one of the three so-called 3G criteria. This means students must prove that they have either been vaccinated, have recovered from or have been tested for Covid-19.

The main changes relevant to RUB are listed below:

• There is only one incidence level, namely 35.
• Access restrictions exist for events with an incidence above 35. Participation in the events is then only possible with a so-called 3G proof. The university is obliged to check the proofs and must exclude other persons from participation.
• Generally, masks are compulsory in all indoor spaces, as long as these spaces are open to the public. Exceptions apply in educational institutions, including RUB, if all persons in the room have been vaccinated or tested – or, if not, if the distance of 1.5 metres is maintained. As a rule, masks do not have to be worn during sports activities.
• Employees are generally required to wear masks. There are exceptions if the minimum distance is maintained, if everyone in a group is vaccinated, and if relevant safety measures, such as glass partitions, are in place when employees meet customers or students.
• Employees who have not worked for at least five consecutive working days due to holidays or equivalent leaves of absence must present a negative test result of a Covid-19 rapid test (“Bürgertest”) or PCR test to the employer on the first working day. This does not apply to immunised persons, i.e. those who have been fully vaccinated and those who have recovered from Covid-19.

Generous home office regulations until September 6

Even though some of the existing regulations are now being relaxed by the federal government, RUB will nevertheless keep up the current generous home office regulations until the beginning of September: employees who want to and for whom it is possible can continue to work from home. However, it is also possible to work on campus once again – while maintaining social distancing and airing the rooms frequently.

“In order to meet all health and safety requirements, ongoing vaccination is crucial,” says Chancellor Dr. Christina Reinhardt. By 19 August 2021 at the latest, all employees who wish to be vaccinated will have received their second dose. This is why employees should spend at least 50 percent of their working hours on campus once again after 6 September 2021. The specific conditions will be discussed by the crisis team and with the staff councils in the next two weeks. All members of staff will be informed in good time.