Coronavirus (COVID-19) – important information

Today's important announcements:

• Farewell message from the President
• Lockdown in Bavaria extended until 19 April
• Keep your distance!
• Extended FAQ

Farewell message from the President

Since the academic ceremony marking the handover of office on 31 March cannot take place as planned, University President, Professor Carola Jungwirth, will bid farewell to all members of the University of Passau in a video statement. The video will be available on 31 March from 4 p.m. at www.uni-passau.de.

Bavaria-wide lockdown extended

The Bavarian State Government today announced an extension of the lockdown restrictions in Bavaria until 19 April 2020 inclusive. Initially, the restrictions were set until 3 April. Please note that the lockdown in Bavaria means that you cannot leave your home unless it is for a valid reason – and even then you may only do so alone or with the people with whom you share a household. Any other group formation is not allowed. The FAQs of the Bavarian Ministry of the Interior  provide qualification. Please note that these are only available in German.

The prohibition from entering universities has also been extended: those who stayed in a place identified as a risk area by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) either at the time of their stay or within 14 days after their stay are prohibited from entering any higher education premises in Bavaria for 14 days after leaving the risk area. The Bavarian State Ministry of Health and Care has issued this ban in order to interrupt chains of infection as effectively as possible.

Keep your distance: important pointers

The restriction of social contacts is intended to slow down chains of infection and the spread of the novel coronavirus in Germany. On average, an infected person infects two or three others. The virus is mainly transmitted by small droplets through direct contact between people (e.g. in conversation). Standing at least 1.5 metres apart from others – as recommended by the Robert Koch Institute in agreement with health authorities and research institutions worldwide – therefore reduces the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2. This simulation by BR Data illustrates the effect of consistent social distancing on the spread of the virus.

Therefore, please make sure that you always keep at least 1.5 metres distance to the people around you – even in situations where it feels strange to do so. The University attaches great importance to the observance of the distance rule and has this checked on campus with the support of the security service. In this way, we can all contribute to curbing the number of illnesses and relieving the burden on the health system.

Coronavirus: Extended FAQs

What is allowed, what is prohibited while the lockdown is in effect? Am I allowed to move into another flat, for example? What is the university planning for the summer semester? Whom should I talk to if I want to volunteer? The Communication and Marketing Division is continually expanding the FAQs at www.uni-passau.de/en/coronavirus/covid19-faq with frequently asked questions and tips on the current situation.

The next update will be at 6 p.m. on 31 March.

Do you have any further questions? Send us an e-mail  (subject line: 'Coronavirus').

Today's important announcements:

• Extended FAQs

What is allowed, what is prohibited while the lockdown is in effect? Am I allowed to move into another flat on 1 April, for example? What is the university planning for the summer semester? Whom should I talk to if I want to volunteer?

The Communication and Marketing Division is continually expanding the FAQs at www.uni-passau.de/en/coronavirus/covid19-faq with frequently asked questions and tips on the current situation.

At present, it is not clear when the University will be able to resume teaching the full range of courses. Therefore, preparations are under way to transfer some or all of the taught courses to virtual formats in the coming semester. Please check this page and the FAQs on the digitalisation of teaching // Didactics and Technology' regularly for updates.

Perhaps you have heard a rumour that the semester might be cancelled altogether? That rumour is false. The State Ministry of Science and the Arts has made it very clear that the summer semester 2020 will definitely take place. This corresponds to the position adopted by the Bavarian University Conference, the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) and the German Association of University Professors and Lecturers (DHV), all of whom firmly ruled out a 'non-semester' (the pages linked to are in German). We can, therefore, assume that teaching will start on 20 April.

The next update will be at 6 p.m. on 30 March.

Do you have any further questions? Please write to us (subject: "Coronavirus").

Today's important announcements:

• Teaching in the summer semester – update
• Information for international students
• Novel coronavirus: information in different languages
• Networking opportunities for helpers

As things stand today, it is not yet clear when the University will be able to resume teaching the full range of courses. Therefore, preparations are under way to transfer some or all of the taught courses to virtual formats in the coming semester. It is not yet possible to say which courses will be available online, and when – or even whether the whole semester can be covered entirely online. Please check this page and the FAQ on the digitalisation of teaching // Didactics and Technology' regularly for updates.

Perhaps you have heard a rumour that the semester might be cancelled altogether? Yesterday evening, the State Ministry of Science and the Arts issued a clear statement: the summer semester 2020 will definitely take place! This corresponds to the position adopted by the Bavarian University Conference, the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) and the German Association of University Professors and Lecturers (DHV), all of whom firmly ruled out a 'non-semester' (the pages linked to are in German).

We can, therefore, assume that teaching will start on 20 April; however, it is likely that, at least initially, teaching will be delivered over the internet rather than in lecture theatres and seminar rooms. Students would not need to be physically present in Passau to attend the online courses.

What are the current recommendations for international students – both exchange students and degree-seeking students? We are in contact with the affected students and advise them personally on the situation. At the same time, we are in close contact with the competent authorities as well as the Student Services Association (Studentenwerk) to allow us to find an appropriate solution for each individual case. We will summarise the current status in our FAQs under the heading 'Further questions from students'.

Up to now, much of the information on the novel coronavirus, particularly from government agencies, has not been available in languages other than German. The German Federal Government has addressed this shortcoming and is now providing coronavirus information in various languageson the website of the federal integration commissioner.

Helping hands are currently needed in many areas of public and private life. Numerous reputable platforms now offer networking opportunities for neighbourhood assistance. In Passau, Initiative Passau hilft provides coordination and planning for everyone who wants to volunteer. You are not currently in Passau? Bayerischer Rundfunk offers an overview of the initiatives throughout Bavaria.

The next update will be at 6 p.m. on 27 March.

Do you have any further questions? Please write to us (subject: "Coronavirus").

Today's important announcements:

• Teaching in the summer semester
• Networking opportunities for helpers

What happens when the lecture period starts on 20 April? This is the question on everyone's mind at the University, and understandably so. As things stand today, it is not yet clear whether teaching at the University will be able to resume as scheduled on 20 April or when – and to what extent – classroom teaching will be possible. Therefore, it may be necessary to transfer some or all of the taught courses to virtual formats in the coming semester. The University of Passau has set up the Study and Teaching Task Force, which will coordinate and organise support measures for lecturers.

What this means for you as a student, what online teaching formats may be used and further information on teaching in the summer semester is explained in greater detail in the FAQ section under the heading 'Questions on the digitalisation of teaching'. We are continually updating this information for you to reflect the latest developments.

Helping hands are currently needed in many areas of public and private life. Numerous reputable platforms now offer networking opportunities for neighbourhood assistance. In Passau, Initiative Passau hilft provides coordination and planning for everyone who wants to volunteer. You are not currently in Passau? Bayerischer Rundfunk offers an overview of the initiatives throughout Bavaria.

The next update will be at 6 p.m. on 25 March.

Do you have any further questions? Send us an e-mail (subject line: 'Coronavirus').

Today's important announcements:

• BAföG will continue to be paid
• Information on the lockdown
• Networking opportunities for helpers

Students who receive BAföG will continue to receive their payments regardless of the pandemic-related measures taken by their universities, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) announced. This means that if you submit your BAföG applications before the deadline, you will continue to receive your BAföG payments even if the start of lectures is postponed, the university is affected by closures or there is no face-to-face teaching. First-semester students receive their BAföG as if the lectures had started at the originally planned start of the semester. For details visit the FAQ of the BMBF (in German) or the website of the Student Services Association for Lower Bavaria and Upper Palatinate (scroll down on that page for the English version).

What does the lockdown in Bavaria mean for my personal everyday life, my family and the people around me? What do I have to consider, for example, if I live in a shared flat, plan to move house or want to help my neighbours? The Bavarian Ministry of the Interior has prepared FAQ of their own, which provide further clarification. Please note that these FAQ are only provided in German.

Helping hands are currently needed in many areas of public and private life. Numerous reputable platforms now offer networking opportunities for neighbourhood assistance. In Passau, Initiative Passau hilft provides coordination and planning for everyone who wants to volunteer. You are not currently in Passau? Bayerischer Rundfunk offers an overview of the initiatives throughout Bavaria.

The next update will be at 6 p.m. on 25 March.

More questions? Send us an e-mail (subject line: 'Coronavirus').

Today's important announcements:

• CampusCard: bus travel
• Extension of the FAQ section at www.uni-passau.de/en/coronavirus
• Information related to the lockdown from the Bavarian state agencies tasked with disaster protection
• Networking opportunities for helpers

We would like to remind you that you cannot validate your electronic student ID (CampusCard) until further notice. Please do not come to the campus for this purpose.

Nevertheless, you can use the city buses free of charge even without validation. The University has agreed on this with the Passau transport operator. Please use your CampusCard with the 'old' validation from the winter semester and bring a printed matriculation certificate for the summer semester when taking the buses. This agreement is in force until 30 April 2020.

Please also note that police may be checking people's ID more often due to the lockdown. In the meantime, the state government has provided an English translation of the ordinance. We therefore recommend that you always carry your identity card or passport with you for the next 14 days.

The University's Communication and Marketing Division has moved and expanded on the frequently asked questions by adding answers to questions regarding studying and teaching, and in particular, examinations. Please note that the English version is still being prepared, but will be put online over the next two days.

What does the lockdown in Bavaria mean for my personal everyday life, my family and the people around me? What do I have to consider, for example, if I live in a shared flat, plan to move house or want to help my neighbours? The Bavarian Ministry of the Interior has prepared FAQ of their own, which provide further clarification. Please note that these FAQ are only provided in German.

Helping hands are currently needed in many areas of public and private life. Numerous reputable platforms now offer networking opportunities for neighbourhood assistance. In Passau, Initiative Passau hilft provides coordination and planning for everyone who wants to volunteer. You are not currently in Passau? Bayerischer Rundfunk offers an overview of the initiatives throughout Bavaria.

The next update will be at 6 p.m. on 24 March.

More questions? Send us an e-mail (subject line: 'Coronavirus').

Today's important announcements:

• Bavaria-wide lockdown
• Validating your CampusCard (student ID card)

The State Government of Bavaria announced today that it will impose a state-wide lockdown (document in German) as of midnight tonight. As of tomorrow, 21 March, you may not leave your flat/apartment/house unless it is for a reason specified in the official announcement. For the benefit of students who cannot read the German announcements, the salient points are:

• Everyone should keep physical and social contact with other people outside the members of their own household to an absolute minimum and maintain a minimum distance of 1.5 metres.
• All restaurants and catering establishments are closed; however, delivery services and takeaways are open.
• You must not visit hospitals or other institutions such as hospices, nursing homes, retirement homes etc.
• You must not leave your home unless you have a good reason to do so. Good reasons are:
  • for work.
  • to seek medical assistance, i.e. going to see a doctor. This also covers visits to psychiatrists/psychologists or veterinarians.
  • to purchase items needed for daily life, i.e. groceries. This also covers visits to pet supply stores, opticians, banks, post offices etc.
  • visiting your life partner or an elderly, infirm or ill person you are caring for (but not if they are in a care institution).
  • to accompany minors and those in need of support.
  • to accompany someone who is dying or to attend a funeral taking place within a small circle of close family members.
  • to take exercise in the open air; however, you must be alone or at most accompanied by others from your household (i.e. family members); you must not form groups with other people while outside.
  • activities related to caring for animals.

Please also note that police may be checking people's ID more often due to the lockdown. We therefore recommend that you always carry your identity card or passport with you for the next 14 days. If you are asked by police why you are outside you must provide a valid reason.

As a precautionary measure, we should point out that you cannot validate your electronic student ID (CampusCard) until further notice. Please do not come to the campus for this purpose.

The University will ensure that you will not be put at a disadvantage by the fact that you cannot validate your CampusCard at this time. In particular, we will clarify whether and how you can use your card to take the city buses as soon as possible.

Please also note that police may be checking people's ID more often due to the lockdown. We therefore recommend that you always carry your identity card or passport with you for the next 14 days.

The next update will be at 6 p.m. on 23 March.

More questions? Send us an e-mail (subject line: 'Coronavirus').

In order to slow the spread of the coronavirus as much as possible, the University has taken the decision to close its buildings from 24 March to 19 April. The underground student car park will also be closed from midnight, 24 March. Please remove your vehicle from the student car park before that date. 

Please note that the lockdown imposed throughout Bavaria today means that, as of tomorrow, 21 March 2020, you will be only be allowed to leave your home alone or at most with members of your household (i.e. family). You may not meet others outside or otherwise form groups. If you need to come in to pick up your vehicle, this means you can only come in alone or with family members. Please make sure you bring along ID, as it is possible that you may be checked by police.

The next update will follow at 6 p.m. tomorrow, 20 March 2020.

More questions? Please write to us (subject: "Coronavirus").  
 

Today's important announcements:

• The University will close its buildings as of 24 March 2020
• On 23 March the Student Services Association (Studentenwerk) will discontinue all campus catering services
• Persons who have recently been to a risk area are prohibited from entering the campus
• Planning for online-based teaching in the summer semester
• Please refrain from holding meetings and parties on the Innwiese meadow!

In order to slow the spread of the coronavirus as much as possible, the University has taken the decision to close its buildings from 24 March to 19 April. Staff members requiring access to their offices can enter the buildings through the side entrances using their office keys. Students will not be able to enter the buildings. Please collect your belongings from the lockers if you need them.

The Student Student Services Association will also suspend their catering services on campus until further notice. From Monday onwards, all cafeterias will be closed in addition to the refectory.

In order to interrupt the chain of infection, the Bavarian State Ministry of Health and Care has issued a ban on entering university premises for specific groups: Those who stayed in an place identified as a risk area by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) at the time or up to 14 days after their stay are prohibited from entering any higher education premises in Bavaria for 14 days after leaving the risk area. Initially, this ban will be in effect until 19 April 2020.

How will teaching continue in the summer semester? Answers to this question are currently being developed by a task force headed by Vice President Designate for Teaching and Studies, Professor Christina Hansen. At the moment, we are establishing the general technical framework. Once this is done, the task force will develop concepts for virtual teaching in the summer semester with the support of the Didactic Laboratories Team.

On sunny days like today, it can be very tempting to relax on our beautiful Innwiese meadow – we know! But we also know that communal activities such as sunbathing, playing sports and partying present ideal conditions for spreading the coronavirus to others. For this reason, the Innwiese and all other green areas on campus are restricted areas until the state government relaxes its measures. We can still do our part to prevent an official lockdown in Bavaria – for the sake of literally everyone, let's save our private group events for when the pandemic is over!

The next update will follow at 6 p.m. tomorrow, 20 March 2020.

More questions? Send us an e-mail (subject line: 'Coronavirus').

University examinations:

• Having examined the study and examination regulations, the Legal Section informed us that the time periods allocated for written assignments, papers, dissertations and theses will be suspended for the duration of the libraries' closure. Please grant appropriate time extensions to students requesting them.

• Oral/written exams: The University has been instructed to limit the number of examinations taking place to an absolute minimum and to postpone all university examinations, such as module examinations, whenever this is possible without causing unreasonable inconvenience. This applies to both oral and written examinations.
  
  Please note that oral exams must not be conducted via Skype, Facetime or other digital means, as there is no legal basis for this.

• If students are unable to meet statutory examination deadlines or requirements (e.g. maximum period of studies, acquisition of minimum ECTS credits) due to the current circumstances, the Board of Examiners shall grant an appropriate extension upon request.

First State Examination of the Teacher Education Programmes (Lehramt):

• Spring 2020: The First State Examination is suspended with immediate effect and until further notice. Information on plans to resume the First State Examination will be announced first by the Education Ministry at: www.km.bayern.de/ministerium/termine/1-staatspruefung-anmeldung-pruefungen.html

• State examinations as of autumn 2020: The University of Passau is liaising with the Ministry of Education and yourselves in order to find amenable solutions for the acquisition of outstanding assessments for admission to the state examination.
• Written papers for admission to the state examination ('Zulassungsarbeit'): 1 April 2020 is a deadline for submission of the Zulassungsarbeit for many students. Students are entitled to request an extension of the deadline from their supervisor. The deadline by which the correction has to be completed (in time for admission) must be agreed with the person setting the topic of the paper.

First State Examination of the Teacher Education Programmes (Lehramt) scheduled for spring 2020:

The First State Examination is suspended with immediate effect and until further notice. Information on plans to resume the First State Examination will be announced first by the Education Ministry at: www.km.bayern.de/ministerium/termine/1-staatspruefung-anmeldung-pruefungen.html
We will inform all affected exam candidates by e-mail.

Are you facing the 7 April registration deadline for the Vorbereitungsdienst for primary and Mittelschule teacher training and are unable to get an appointment at the health department? Please send all available registration documents to the Examinations Office by post before the deadline. You will be given a grace period for submitting missing documents until 1 July 2020.

First State Examinations of the Teacher Education Programmes scheduled for autumn 2020 and subsequent state examinations:

The University of Passau is liaising with the Ministry of Education and the examiners in order to find amenable solutions for the acquisition of outstanding assessments for admission to the state examination. We will relay any new information as soon as possible.

You have to hand in your Zulassungsarbeit by 1 April 2020? Please request a deadline extension from your supervisor. The deadline by which the correction has to be completed (in time for admission) must be agreed with the person setting the topic of the paper. The printed copy with the signed original declaration and the marking sheet must be submitted to the Examinations Office as soon as the situation allows, but no later than two working days before the first personal individual examination.

University examinations:

• Is the deadline for your bachelor's dissertation or master's thesis impending?

Due to the closure of the libraries the writing periods are suspended. The submission deadline is automatically extended by the number of days the University Library is closed. In concrete terms, this means that the calendar days between the library closing date (14 March) and its reopening will be added to the original deadline. Example:

Original submission deadline: 31 March 2020
+ 37 closing days (14 March to 19 April inclusive)
= New submission deadline: 7 May 2020

If you have already finished your work, you do not have to wait for the libraries to reopen. In that case, simply send us your dissertation/thesis by post.

Similarly, if you are completing a written assignment or writing a seminar paper, you should contact the relevant examiner. The extended writing period also applies here.

Please note that the time extension will push the submission date for your paper, dissertation or thesis into the summer semester. Please register immediately for the summer semester 2020 if you have not already done so. In order to submit your work you must be re-registered, even if you are not planning to attend any courses during the summer semester.

• Have you registered or are you intending to register for a second examination date (winter semester 2019–20)? Currently, it is planned that the examinations should be moved to summer semester 2020. Please register for these exams in HISQIS by 20 March. Please read the information from the FIM on the current situation regarding examinations.

• If you are unable to meet statutory examination deadlines or other requirements (e.g. exceeding the maximum period of studies, not acquiring the minimum ECTS credits in time) due to the present circumstances, the Board of Examiners will grant an appropriate extension upon request.

Please note: If your examination dates rescheduled for the summer semester, you must be re-registered for the summer semester 2020. Please re-register immediately if you have not already done so. In order to submit your work you must be re-registered, even if you are not planning to attend any courses during the summer semester.

As a further measure intended to limit the further spread of the novel coronavirus, the University decided today to close the service sections to the public, including university members. While visits to service sections will not be possible, they will be reachable by telephone and e-mail during the usual office hours and will continue to deal with your enquiries and applications as quickly as possible.

Online registrations for the summer semester will be processed without any restrictions. Please use the respective webpages for online registration. To submit documents, please send them by post or drop them in the mailboxes provided at the respective service points. Alternatively, you may use the night mailbox at the Administration Building's main entrance, opposite the Sports Centre, which is accessible even when the building is closed.

The University Library will be closed from 14 March until 19 April 2020 inclusive.

• Online services are still available. E-books, e-journals and databases are accessible for university members via external access.
• Late fees on unreturned borrowed items will not be charged during the closure. If late fees have already been charged, they will be cancelled retrospectively.
• Do not come in to return borrowed media for the duration of the closure. Please refrain from sending borrowed books back by post.
• You will not be able to order media from our holdings or via interlibrary loan until further notice. If you ordered media previously, you will not be able to pick them up from the library.
• Please contact the library team if you have personal items stored in carrels or lockers.

University Library staff can be reached at the e-mail address ubinfo@uni-passau.de. We are aware that this measure directly affects many of you in your studies and work. However, in light of the current exceptional situation, we ask for your understanding.

We will keep you posted on current decisions and new developments on this page.

Keep well!

As a further measure intended to limit the further spread of the novel coronavirus, the University decided today to close the Sports Centre with immediate effect, initially until 19 April. We ask for your understanding that our current top priority is to protect our university community, our relatives and the general population and to help reduce the strain on the healthcare system. By implementing this and previously implemented measures, we intend to help slow the further spread of the virus to allow our healthcare system to gain valuable time.

We are aware that this measure directly affects many of you and raises questions. Please check this page for up-to-date information on the situation and current developments. If you have any questions not answered there, please write to communication@uni-passau.de (please write 'Coronavirus' in the subject line).

Today we received an instruction from the state ministry to close the reading rooms of the University Library at short notice from 14 March up to and including 19 April. We ask for your understanding that we must comply with this instruction.

We are aware that this measure directly affects many of you in your studies and work and raises many questions. We are working hard on finding solutions to ensure that we minimise the inconveniences caused by the current difficulties.

The next update on this topic, e.g. on borrowing modalities, will be posted on Monday, 16 March.

Please read the Human Resources Division's information sheet (German document) for guidance on the circumstances for which staff members are given leave in connection with the the novel coronavirus and what rules apply for telecommuting. If you receive the special 10-day dispensation for school closures, please make sure you send an application for 'Dienstbefreiung Tag', entering 'Betreuung Kind Corona' as the reason for leave.

All staff members of the University can access the central Digital Workspace (Citrix environment). When using a campus computer connected to the wired LAN network, you can use the 'Citrix Receiver' software to sign in. When using the WiFi network or working from home, you should visit https://citrix-ext.uni-passau.de to log into Citrix. The sign-in process uses two-factor authentication. This means you have to have a Smartphone with the FreeOTP app (iOS or Android). The initial configuration of FreeOTP can only be done while connected to the University computer network by LAN cable. If you require help setting this up, contact ZIM Support (+49 851 509 1888, room IM 120). A description of this process can be found at www.zim.uni-passau.de.

Against the background of current developments, the Bavarian State Government and the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts have instructed all state universities to discontinue classroom-based teaching with immediate effect.

Research and administrative units will continue to operate, as will the libraries. Until further notice, this instruction applies for the period up to and including 19 April 2020.

Following detailed discussions with the coronavirus working group, the University of Passau took the decision to cancel or postpone all forms of on-campus, face-to-face teaching (including academic and skills training seminars, tutorials, lectures etc.) at the University from now until 19 April 2020. With regard to all other scheduled events, we will be in direct contact with the relevant organisers.

Protecting our students, staff and their families as well as the wider population and relieving the burden on the health system is our highest priority at this time. By taking this measure, we intend to help everyone gain valuable time and contribute to slowing the further spread of the virus.

Together with the working group, we are working on creating the necessary conditions to ensure that our staff members can continue to go about their jobs and our students continue their studies as usual in summer semester 2020. At the same time, this will allow us to start the next semester with focus and clarity rather than mired with worry and uncertainty.

We are keenly aware that this measure will pose a challenge for us all over the coming weeks and that many of you will have questions. We will, therefore, continue to publish important updates and information on this page.

If you have any questions on the situation concerning the novel coronavirus and the University's measures, please send us an e-mail with 'Coronavirus' in the subject line. The e-mail address is communication@uni-passau.de.

The University of Passau takes its duty of care towards all its members very seriously and endeavours to fulfil this duty to the best of its ability.

We are currently on semester break and lectures are not scheduled to begin until 20 April. Naturally, many of you will still be using the campus and the central facilities, e.g. the university library and the sports centre, which continue to operate when the University is not in session. Also, a number of examinations are still being held.

What does the current spread of the coronavirus mean for you as a student?

If you have recently travelled to a risk area or have had contact with someone at risk of contracting the virus

Please stay away from the campus for 14 days, the length of the incubation period, if:

• you and/or people in your household/immediate domestic environment have travelled to a risk area (information from the RKI, WHO) or attended an event linked to incidences of infection with coronavirus since 19 February.
• you have had personal contact with someone who has since been diagnosed with the coronavirus

This applies even if you have not developed any symptoms of illness. By strictly adhering to this request you are helping to break the chain of infection. If you start to experience symptoms, please call your doctor immediately on the phone to discuss the next steps. During the phone call, it is important that you tell the medical staff on the phone of any factors putting you at an increased risk, e.g. the two items above or recent travel to a high-risk region – please also indicate where you were).

What does this mean for scheduled examinations?

Most end-of-semester examinations have already taken place. There are no further large-scale examinations scheduled, and the remaining examinations will count 61 candidates or fewer. These are most state examinations for the teacher education programmes. When determining whether to allow the exams to take place, the University of Passau follows the Robert Koch Institute's risk-assessment principles and action recommendations for large-scale events. According to these, the upcoming examinations are neither categorised as 'large-scale events', nor do they concern people currently defined as having a particularly elevated risk of complications. Therefore, based on the information available today, we expect that all examinations will take place as scheduled.

If you are unable to sit a university examination (as opposed to a state examination) due to contact with someone with a suspected or confirmed coronavirus infection or your stay in risk areas, you are excused from the exam if you provide a medical certificate (doctor's note from your GP or the local health department). You should notify the Examinations Office by e-mail before or as soon as possible after the examination.

The following applies to the state examination for teacher education programmes: any inability to attend an examination for health reasons must be reported immediately and you must provide an official medical certificate from a medical specialist. As a rule, this certificate must be issued on the same day as the examination (§ 17(3) LPO I). Furthermore, § 17(6) LPO I states that you must furnish proof in the form of a medical certificate issued by a medical official (Amtsarzt) if you are unable to complete an examination you have already started and did not know of the illness until the time you fell ill.

Make use of digital communication methods

In addition to taking the usual hygiene measures (washing hands, coughing and sneezing into the crook of your elbow), you can also easily help to minimise the risk of infection and its spread by communicating through digital means. You don't always have to come in personally to discuss a concern – many issues can be dealt with easily by telephone, e-mail or online; some service offices even offer video consultation hours. If you have to hand in documents, you can deposit them in the relevant mailbox (e.g. at the Administration Building, Innstrasse 41. A night-time mailbox is located outside the main entrance, and during business days you may use the mailbox inside the building on the ground floor).

We will continue to post important updates and recommendations on this page. If you have any questions on the situation, please send us an e-mail with 'Coronavirus' in the subject line. The e-mail address is communication@uni-passau.de.

An FAQ is now available on the webpage www.uni-passau.de/en/coronavirus, which is continuously being expanded and updated. Do you have a question that is not yet answered in the FAQ? Please send an e-mail with the subject 'Coronavirus' to communication@uni-passau.de

The University of Passau takes its duty of care towards all its members very seriously and endeavours to fulfil this duty to the best of its ability. It is therefore imperative that you contact us immediately if:

• You and/or people in your immediate home environment have been travelling in risk areas and/or attended an event after which illnesses have been diagnosed in the period since 19 February
• You have met face-to-face with someone who has since been diagnosed with the coronavirus
• You have to look after your children at home due to the closure of schools or childcare facilities

By telling us you are helping us and the people around you to reduce the risk of infection and to slow down or interrupt the further spread of the disease. Please send your report with a detailed description of the facts, preferably by e-mail to kanzler@uni-passau.de. We will then consider whether to give you paid leave. In addition, we can discuss whether working from home (telecommuting) is a viable option in your specific case and what further steps may be necessary. Please do not come to the campus until this has been decided and communicated to you.

The information below was translated and adapted from the Robert Koch Institute website on 9 March 2020.

According to the findings thus far, the following groups of people have an elevated risk of developing a severe form of COVID-19:

• People aged 50 to 60 years or older. The risk of a serious illness starts to increase steadily in that age group. The elderly in particular can become more seriously ill after an infection due to their less responsive immune system (immune senescence). They are also liable to wait longer before seeking medical advice, since non-specific symptoms such as fever – which are the immune system's response to many illnesses – can be weaker or completely absent in old age.
• Various underlying diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, diseases of the respiratory system, liver and kidneys, as well as cancers, also appear to increase the risk of serious disease progression regardless of age.
• The risk of developing serious illness increases further if more than one factor – older age and underlying disease – is present; having multiple underlying illnesses (multimorbidity) also increases the risk further.
• Patients with a suppressed immune system (e.g. due to a disease associated with an immune deficiency or because they are taking medication that suppresses the immune system, such as cortisone) are at higher risk.
• There is insufficient data to determine whether combinations of risk factors with other (living) conditions represent a particularly high risk for a serious progression of COVID-19.

The following population groups are not at increased risk of severe disease progression:

• According to the findings from China to date, pregnant women do not appear to have an increased risk compared to non-pregnant women with the same health status.
• No increased risk of severe disease progression has been reported in children.

If you are at increased risk of a severe progression of COVID-19:

It is particularly important to lower the risk of infection as much as you can by following the general advice on washing your hands, not touching your eyes, mouth and nose, and keeping your distance from people who may have a respiratory illness. It is also important stay informed about the typical symptoms of the illness, as people who are aware of the symptoms will be more likely to seek medical help at an early stage of the disease. When calling your medical provider about your symptoms, tell him or her if there have been cases of COVID-19 in your immediate environment (i.e. at your workplace or at home), as this will help them to decide on targeted diagnostic measures.

If infections with the virus have become more frequent in your area it is recommended that you:

• stay home as much as possible and air your rooms regularly
• cancel or postpone unnecessary travel
• if possible, go outside only to purchase supplies, always keeping a distance of 1 to 2 metres from other people
• reduce personal contact to an absolute minimum or use means of communication that do not involve direct personal contact (telephone, internet etc.)
• determine what to do if someone in your household becomes ill (sleeping and staying in separate rooms; eating meals separately; separating siblings)
• cancel meetings/activities (club meetings, sports groups, bigger private parties)
• avoid close greeting rituals (hugging, kissing on the cheek, shaking hands etc.)