On the basis of the legal specifications and out of concern for all University members, University Management, in consultation with the Crisis Management Team of RWTH Aachen University, has agreed upon the following regulations regarding travel: As soon as anyone exhibits COVID-19 symptoms, they are expressly prohibited from entering the RWTH premises.
Incidences of COVID-19 diseases have already occurred in our RWTH community. Up to now, large-scale quarantine of contact persons could be avoided because the infected individuals had diligently followed the rules about hygiene and avoiding contact with others.
Business trips for employees:
We will not approve any business trips to risk areas* at present. If employees on a business trip return from a country that is classified as a risk area* while they are still on their trip, the requirements of the Coronaeinreiseverordnung (Coronavirus Entry Ordinance (CoronaEinrVO)) apply with regard to the reporting obligations and quarantine regulations.
Employees may still go on business trips within Germany. These trips should, however, be kept to an absolute minimum. Instead, virtual formats should be used wherever possible. Public transportation and airplanes should not be used if this can be avoided. RWTH urges employees to use rental cars or their own vehicle for business trips instead. Requirements at the destination, possibly imposed as as consequence of the infection rate at the individual’s place of residence, must be observed.
Private travel by employees:
The Crisis Management Team urgently appeals to all employees to refrain from personal travel when it is not absolutely necessary. If, however, employees do go on a trip to a risk area,* the respective superiors should be informed in advance so that work arrangements can be planned ahead of time. If travelers return from a risk area,* the requirements of the CoronaEinrVO apply with regard to the reporting obligations and quarantine regulations.
Stays in the Netherlands-Belgium-Germany border region (particularly for commuters)
Individuals spending up to 24 hours in the Netherlands or Belgium will not be subject to a ban on entering the RWTH for now.
Likewise, individuals who have spent time or who reside in the Netherlands or Belgium and then enter Germany for a maximum of 24 hours will be allowed to enter the RWTH premises. In addition, individuals from a risk area who are required to come to the University on a daily basis or for up to five days at a time for activities related to their training or studies that cannot be postponed may enter the RWTH premises.
Rules for commuters, guests, visitors, service providers, contractors from risk areas:*
Individuals from a risk area who are required to come to the University on a daily basis or for up to five days at a time for activities related to their training or studies that cannot be postponed may enter the RWTH premises.
The Crisis Management Team strongly recommends refraining from in-person meetings and switching to video conferencing formats or the like. If guests etc. arrive from risk areas,* the host institution must inform them of the obligation to register with the responsible health department (usually that of Städteregion Aachen).
Regulation for students coming from risk areas:
Students who only come to Germany for up to 5 days in order to complete or prepare for their exams are not required to quarantine but must report to the public health department, according to §3 para. 4 no. 5 CoronaEinrVO. However, any students who arrive in Germany and stay for longer than 5 days must go into a 14-day quarantine period. As soon as the quarantine period is over, students may attend any in-person courses and take exams at RWTH again. We ask host institutions to inform students about the reporting obligations and quarantine regulations. For some individual students from risk areas,* supervision of the written exam can be offered via Zoom. The Examination Boards have already received detailed information regarding this option.
Useful links:
Städteregion Aachen registration form for border commuters
Risk areas according to the RKI
(Risk areas as established by the Robert Koch Institute [see link above]. These are only areas outside Germany. There are no risk areas within Germany according to the CoronaEinrVO.)