Coronavirus (COVID-19) – important information
Updates on the latest events and decisions regarding covid-19 are posted here on Wednesdays. If there is no update, that means there are no covid-19-related news or decisions to report since the last update.
Do you have any questions?
As before, we will also be available to answer any questions regarding the current situation by e-mail (subject line: 'Coronavirus'). Also read our frequently asked questions about studying, teaching and examinations.
Covid-19 test centres in Passau
The City of Passau provides an overview of the various test centres on its website [German content].
Current developments on campus
Protective measures for persons tested positive for covid-19
Since 16 November, people who have tested positive for the coronavirus no longer have to self-isolate. The self-isolation requirement has been scrapped and replaced with new protective measures mandated by the Free State of Bavaria [German content]. Please note that you must adhere to these protective measures and behavioural recommendations from the moment you have knowledge of a positive test result. Specifically, this means: If you test positive but do not have any symptoms, you are required to wear a mask (at least a surgical/medical mask) when you are in university rooms with other people.
Confirmed: This winter semester will be an "in-person semester"
The University wishes to make it known that this winter semester at the University of Passau will be an in-person semester – teaching will take place face to face on campus – and that there never were any plans to the contrary, despite a number of misleading media reports in recent months. We look forward to welcoming you all back to our campus this semester and wish you a good start for the new lecture period!
Campus testing station closes on 5 August
The covid-19 testing station in the ZMK building (Innstrasse 33a) will close down on 5 August, since demand for rapid tests have fallen to a very low level recently. However, the University will keep an eye on the overall situation and testing needs and start up the testing station if and when necessary.
- Recommended measures to protect yourself from covid-19
- Testing station // costs and cost exemptions
Recommended measures to protect yourself from covid-19
As you can read in the daily press, the federal government are preparing for another wave of covid-19 infections in the autumn. No decision has been taken yet as to whether this will be accompanied by mitigating strategies, and if so, precisely which measures will be imposed. Currently, and until 20 August, face masks must be worn on public transport and in institutions that care for or treat vulnerable groups, such as doctors' surgeries and hospitals.
We are keeping an eye on the situation and will inform you in good time of any changes at the University of Passau. At the same time, in view of the high infection rate, we would encourage you to continue to stick to the known infection prevention measures whenever you come into contact with other on campus – for your own safety and out of consideration for the people around you. You are making a valuable and important contribution to making this semester as safe as can be for everyone when you:
- don a surgical/medical or FFP2 mask when attending a busy indoor event
- maintain a minimum distance of 1.5 metres from others
- regularly wash your hands or disinfect them using the dispensers provided
- get yourself tested regularly, regardless of your vaccination status
Thank you all for doing your part!
Testing station // costs and cost exemptions
The Malteser testing station on campus in the ZMK Building will remain open for the time being. The information on costs we sent out in our last update has sadly caused a certain amount of confusion. It is still true that it is a very responsible behaviour to get yourself tested prior to attending an indoor event, after a risky contact, when the Corona Warn App shows a red warning or simply out of consideration for potentially vulnerable people. In this way, you can help ensure that chains of infection are broken, and the University recommends that all its members continue to get tested independently on a regular basis as far as possible.
However: Contrary to what we communicated in our last update, if you wish to get tested in order to attend an indoor event, this does not exempt you from the testing fee – you will have to pay the three euros.
But: Those who are considered to be particularly at risk of complications are still entitled to the free covid-19 tests ("Bürgertests"). You will find the exemption criteria listed when you register for the test date. If you fall into one of the categories mentioned there, you are of course still entitled to the cost exemption and this will be accepted by the staff on site.
Indoor events // current rules
As we announced on 11 May, you can once again plan indoor coffee breaks and/or receptions for your events. Similarly, cultural events (theatre, cinema, cabaret, concerts etc.) can be held again with the known time restrictions. Please contact Event Management at eventmanagement@uni-passau.de if you need more information. We ask for your understanding that we will continue to refrain from holding parties and similar events in the indoor areas for the time being. The previously announced mask recommendation for indoor areas also remains in effect.
New mask rules from 13 May
After the experiences of the first weeks of the semester and a thorough assessment of the current overall situation, the University Executive has taken the decision to ease the masking mandate and make it a recommendation from 13 May onwards. This means that staff, students and visitors no longer have to wear face masks as of 13 May; however, we still recommend that you wear an FFP2 or medical/surgical face mask indoors and in areas where you come into contact with others. Please continue to protect yourself and the others around you.
As before, we will continue to pay careful attention to the overall situation. And we will continue to inform you about current developments and, if necessary, announce changes to the rules in these updates.
The fact that masks are no longer compulsory could also affect how you plan your coffee breaks or receptions for your events. These no longer have to be held outdoors. Please contact Event Management at eventmanagement@uni-passau.de if you need more information. We ask for your understanding that we will continue to refrain from holding parties and similar events in the indoor areas for the time being.
Regular updates are posted at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays if there are covid-19-related news to report.
Do you have any further questions? Send us an e-mail! (subject: 'Coronavirus').
New coronavirus-related developments:
- President's beginning-of-semester greeting
President's beginning-of-semester greeting
Going by the calendar, the summer semester 2022 has already begun. Campus life is picking up again with the Orientation Weeks and the subsequent start of teaching (25 April) – this semester will see much more in-person attendance than previous semesters. At the same time, this semester will be dominated by the harrowing accounts of the war that deeply affects every one of us. In his beginning-of-semester greeting, President Ulrich Bartosch gave a rundown of how the university will be organising this semester, what to bear in mind and how you can bring your strengths into play.
The next regular update will be posted at 6 p.m. on 20 April.
Do you have any further questions? Send us an e-mail! (subject: 'Coronavirus').
The University of Passau is part of a global research and teaching network. Employees and students are in constant exchange with national and international partners, and people from many countries work and study on our campus. The University Executive welcomes and encourages these international connections.
At the same time, we have to monitor this evolving situation carefully and are in regular contact with the relevant authorities to ensure the welfare of our students, staff and visitors. A working group has been established to ensure that we are able to react swiftly and appropriately if the situation calls for it.
We ask all members of the University to:
- Please wash your hands regularly throughout the day. The most important and effective preventative measure is to wash your hands thoroughly, using soap, all the way up to your wrists for at least 20 seconds at a time.
- Call your doctor on the phone if you think you might have contracted the Coronavirus, but do not go to your doctor’s practice without calling first. The staff there will tell you over the phone where you can go to get tested without risking spreading the infection to others.
- Be particularly careful when travelling to and from countries or regions in which there has been a high incidence of COVID-19 infections. If you have recently travelled to an affected country/region or been in contact with someone who has, you should phone your doctor if you develop any of the typical symptoms (e.g. fever, cough or shortness of breath). It is important that you state which country you have been to.
- If you are uncertain, ask. The Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority has set up a telephone hotline: 09131 6808 5101.
If you understand German you can check the Robert Koch Institute and the German Federal Ministry of Health websites for reliable, up-to-date information on the situation in Germany and answers to the most important questions. Swiss newspaper NZZ has put together an informative video clip on how to avoid contracting COVID-19 or passing it on to others.
If you do not speak German:
The Robert Koch Institute also offers information in English specifically for Germany.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control offers situation updates in English.
The World Health Organization maintains a website dedicated to the Coronavirus outbreak, including situation reports, in English.
The BBC has created a video showing four ways to protect yourself and others from the Coronavirus and a page full of quick tips.
If you have reason to believe that you or someone around you may be ill, please contact a doctor at the earliest opportunity. In an acute medical emergency, you should immediately dial 112, the emergency telephone number.
We will keep you informed on this page of current developments and measures taken by the University. If you have any questions about the working group, please send us an e-mail with the word 'Coronavirus' in the subject line.