You can now pre-order coronavirus self-tests from the RWTH Purchasing Portal. The self-tests are expected to be available next week. The Rectorate and the Crisis Management Team have also decided that all employees working in areas exposing them to an increased risk of infection (wherever the applicable minimum distance cannot be observed at all times, e.g. when working in workshops or labs, supervising lab courses, etc.) are to be offered at least two coronavirus self-tests by the respective university institution each week. As per usual, health and safety materials are paid for with available funds at the respective higher education institution. If no (or insufficient) funds are available, the respective faculty should be contacted.
The Rectorate and the Crisis Management Team have provided instructions on the correct procedure to follow in the event of a positive self-test (according to current information from local health authorities): In this case, you must have a PCR test carried out as a control test at a test center or with your family doctor immediately, at the latest on the next working day. Individuals must inform the testing agency of the positive self-test result in advance. From telling them about the positive self-test to taking the PCR test, all non-essential direct contact with other individuals must be avoided. If the self-test is carried out at the workplace, the employee must leave the workplace immediately. After the PCR test, the individual must go into quarantine until the test result is available. The individual affected should also clarify whether other household members are also subject to the quarantine order. If individuals test positive for SARS-CoV-2 with a PCR test, the current quarantine rules then apply. If the result is negative, the quarantine period can be terminated.