FAQ on the novel coronavirus and its impact on Universität Hamburg

Last update: 4 May 2020

Find more general coronavirus information in easy-read German on the websites of the Robert Koch Institute, the City of Hamburg and the Federal Ministry of Health.

Last update: 29 April 2020

To protect against infection, observe the general coughing and sneezing etiquette and maintain your personal hygiene—especially with regard to regular (and correct) hand washing. Keep your distance from other people (approx. 1–2 meters).

Citizens are also urged to restrict meeting in public to only one other person not from their own household or to meet only with those from their household. This is a binding obligation and breaches of these contract restrictions are subject to penalties as issued by the regulatory authorities.

Feel free to use the following door sign about avoiding hand contact:

(Download)

According to the magazine SPIEGEL, there is currently no known case of an infection with the new coronavirus from contact with a surface (train door buttons, railings, smartphones). On one point, however, there is universal agreement: stringent hand hygiene is currently the best way to prevent infection! See Infektionsschutz.de for tips on the best way to ensure proper hand hygiene:

• Hold your hands under running water (adjust the temperature for comfort).
• Cover your hands in soap (including the back of your hands, between your fingers, and fingernails).
• Rub your hands with soap for 20–30 seconds.
• Thoroughly rinse your hands with running water and, if possible, use your elbow to turn on/off the faucet.
• Thoroughly dry your hands, including between your fingers. It is best to use a disposable (paper) towel or, if you are at home, your own personal towel.

Disinfectant dispensers will be set up in all highly frequented reception areas at all University locations. The RKI does not consider it necessary nor has it ordered the use of any additional personal protective equipment, such as face masks or respirators and protective gloves. Face masks (in accordance with valid pandemic plans) may be used if measures in line with level II of the pandemic plan go into effect.

Last update: 29 April 2020

If you have been infected with COVID-19, you must inform your employer about the nature of your illness. Staff members who fall ill must inform their supervisors and HR immediately. They must also submit a doctor’s note attesting to their inability to work. The note attesting to your inability to work can also be handed in later and/or after the reason for the delay no longer applies.

Staff members exhibiting any signs of COVID-19 must stay at home and/or go home immediately. From there, you must contact either the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (Tel: 116 117) or your doctor.

At present, the following criteria are considered good reasons to suspect an infection:

1. 1. Contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 AND acute respiratory symptoms of any severity or unspecific, general symptoms (e.g., a fever) OR
2. 2. Time spent in a high-risk area AND acute respiratory symptoms of any severity.

If the above criteria apply to you (in one of the combinations specified), contact a physician. In order to avoid potentially infecting other people, do not go to the doctor’s office yourself—call them first (source: Ministry of Health and Consumer Protection):

Hamburg hotline: +49 40 428 284 000
Emergency medical assistance: 116 117

Staff members who have good reason to believe they may be infected may not enter University grounds until the situation has been clarified and must notify their supervisors and HR immediately. Please note the different cases:

• Staff members who have had contact with someone who has been infected with COVID-19 and who have been ordered by the health authorities to quarantine should act in accordance with the health authority regulations.
• Staff members who have had contact with someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19 but have not (yet) been required by the health authorities to quarantine must notify their department or office by telephone immediately.
• Staff members who have had contact with someone showing signs of COVID-19 and currently being tested must notify their department or office by telephone immediately.

You can use the locator tool on the Robert Koch Institute website to find your local health authority.

Employees who are quarantined on account of a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 must continue to perform their work duties unless their illness renders them unable to do so. If possible, quarantined employees, like those returning from a high-risk area, should work from home. Unlike sick leave, approved vacation days cannot be reimbursed.

Last update: 18 March 2020

The Tagesspiegel newspaper has published a set of coronavirus-related questions and answers that address all the key issues (in German). This source also provides an overview of the various symptoms of COVID-19, influenza, and the common cold (source: WHO).

A good compilation of known factors about the coronavirus is available on the Robert Koch Institute website (in German). Here, you can also use a locator tool to find your local health authority.

The Arbeitsmedizinischer Dienst (state occupational medical service) has also issued an information sheet (PDF, in German).

The Ministry of Health and Consumer Protection as well as the Senate are also providing information on the coronavirus, including information specifically related to Hamburg (in German).

For the latest travel warnings, see the Federal Foreign Office website (in German).

Last update: 18 March 2020

Hamburg hotline: +49 40 42828-4000

Emergency medical service: 116 117

The Arbeitsmedizinischer Dienst (state occupational medical service) can answer medical questions on +49 40 42841-2112.

In case of questions about University-specific regulations, contact the special hotline: +49 40 42838-1584 (Mon–Thu, 9 am–4 pm; Fri, 9 am–2 pm).