Archive for January, 2022
Current Information from the Crisis Management Team
The Crisis Management Team is continuously assessing the dynamic manner in which the infection rates are developing. At our last meeting, we agreed that – despite the rising rates of infection – it would not be sensible to adapt the measures at this time. Instead, we strongly urge you to implement the previous measures consistently.
In this context, the following instructions and information are given:
- If an employee or a student needs to be present on campus due to the nature of the work that they are doing, they must strictly observe the known hygiene measures. You can also find further information on these measures by visiting the following page https://download.cms.rwth-aachen.de/zhv/5.2/220119_Uebersicht_Regelungen_3G_Test_Maskenpflicht_EN.pdf. Where masks need to be worn, we strongly urge you to use FFP2 masks. These FFP2 masks and other hygiene products can be purchased by the University institutions through the RWTH Purchasing Portal at https://rwth-kaufhaus.de/Hygieneschutz-Produkte/.
- We would like to remind you that you must provide your employees and students with the option to work from home if their field of work permits this (see also https://blog.rwth-aachen.de/corona/2021/11/23/home-office-angebots-verpflichtung/?lang=en).
- University institutions can continue to obtain free rapid tests through the RWTH Purchasing Portal. When working on campus in person, all employees and students are encouraged to make active use of the self-tests or other testing options. Increased testing contributes to the rapid identification of infections and thus enables us to break the chains of infection more effectively.
- Due to the increasing numbers of infections, effective contact tracing by public health authorities can no longer be guaranteed. Because of this, personal responsibility and prudent action are becoming even more important for managers, employees and students. If there is a concrete risk of infection, you should speak about this subject openly. The University Medical Center will be able to provide advice on all matters pertaining to quarantine and the like. The relevant HR department will provide advice on all matters relating to HR law.
- The increased infection rates mean that we expect that more staff will be forced to call in sick. As a result of this, all critical processes (supervision of test stations, holding exams, etc.) should be reviewed again in the University institutions. Adjustments in personnel or process planning (including working in shifts) may become necessary here.
- The Federal Government has modified the definition of fully vaccinated as well as recovered individuals. For example, a single vaccination with the vaccine Janssen from Johnsson&Johnsson is no longer sufficient to be considered completely vaccinated. This has particular implications for checking compliance with the 3G rule. You can find further information on this by visiting https://www.rwth-aachen.de/go/id/sqrjx/lidx/1.
Please note that these instructions are not exhaustive. Further questions are also answered on the following page: https://www.rwth-aachen.de/cms/root/Die-RWTH/Aktuell/Aktuell-geltende-Massnahmen/~ghyqc/frequently-asked-questions-about-coronavirus/
The Crisis Management Team and the Rectorate urge all members and affiliates of RWTH to heed these instructions and comply with the measures. This is the only way that we can keep the University running. If changes in the measures do become necessary, we will get in touch with you again.
Booster Dose of the COVID-19 Vaccine – Offer Expanded to All Ages
University Management, the Crisis Management Team, and the University Medical Center continue to strongly encourage all members of RWTH to get a booster vaccination at the recommended interval. Individuals who have not yet been vaccinated are urged to take up a vaccination offer as soon as possible!
Since the University Medical Center is currently supplied with both BioNTech and the mRNA vaccine Spikevax from the manufacturer Moderna, booster vaccinations are now also being offered to all employees and students who are under 30.
Please use the booking portal, which you can find at https://ecampus.rwth-aachen.de/units/hsa to reserve an appointment. Employees need their personnel number to book an appointment, while students need their student ID number. If you do not know it, you can find it in the RWTH Selfservice under RWTH Data.
Please contact
- the University Medical Center regarding any medical questions, COVID-19-Hotline: +4924180-38777
- the IT-ServiceDesk if you have any technical issues,
- the relevant HR department if you have any questions about your personnel number, and
- the Registrar’s Office if you have any questions about your student ID number.
Please note the following important guidelines:
- Make sure you bring the necessary documents for primary immunization with you to the arranged vaccination appointment. The University Medical Center can only give proper medical advice if such documents are at hand.
- If you are unable to keep your appointment or have already made an appointment elsewhere, please send the University Medical Center an email at coronaimpfung@hsa.rwth-aachen.de immediately. Please do not make multiple bookings under any circumstances.
- The University Medical Center posts new appointment slots on a regular basis. If there are currently no appointments available to book, please keep checking back.
In addition to the vaccinations offered by the University Medical Center, I would like to draw your attention to the following information pages on vaccination services in the area:
- Overview of Medical Practices Offering Vaccinations Provided by Kassenärztliche Vereinigung Nordrhein https://coronaimpfung.nrw/impfregister
- Vaccination Opportunities provided by Städteregion Aachen:
- Vaccination Office in the Aachen Health Department https://www.staedteregion-aachen.de/de/navigation/aemter/oeffentlichkeitsarbeit-s-13/aktuelles/impfung-im-gesundheitsamt
- Vaccination sites in municipalities belonging to Städteregion Aachen: https://www.staedteregion-aachen.de/de/navigation/aemter/oeffentlichkeitsarbeit-s-13/aktuelles/impfstellen-in-den-staedten-und-gemeinden
- Vaccination Opportunities in the District of Heinsberg: https://service.kreis-heinsberg.de/dienstleistungen-a-z/-/egov-bis-detail/dienstleistung/163843/show
- Vaccination Opportunities in the District of Düren: https://www.kreis-dueren.de/aktuelles/corona/impfzentrum.php
In addition, please note that Städteregion Aachen is offering a vaccination service at RWTH for everyone aged 18 and older. You will find the next sessions at http://www.rwth-aachen.de/coronaimpfung.
Urgent need for blood donors
Due to the Corona pandemic, the shortage of blood reserves to supply patients in the StädteRegion Aachen has become much more acute. For the University Hospital of RWTH Aachen and the StädteRegion Aachen, this means that the care of seriously ill and injured people can only be guaranteed with the participation of the citizens of the StädteRegion Aachen. All RWTH employees between the ages of 18 and 65 are encouraged to donate blood regularly and also to promote it among their friends and acquaintances.
State Government Again Increases Individual Standard Period of Study for Students in North Rhine-Westphalia
While face-to-face courses were the norm at universities in North Rhine-Westphalia at the start of the winter semester – and numerous courses can still currently be held in person – many universities have increasingly had to switch to online or hybrid formats during the current semester due to the current pandemic developments. To ensure that students do not suffer any disadvantages as a result of this situation, the state government has decided, after a thorough review, to again increase the individualized standard period of study for students by one semester for the winter semester 2021/22.
Due to the pandemic, this regulation had already come into effect in the three previous semesters. The corresponding regulation for the current winter semester will come into force via an amendment to the Coronavirus Epidemic University Ordinance in the coming days. With the increase of the individualized standard period of study, the NRW Ministry of Culture and Science is creating the conditions on the part of the state for the maximum BAföG period of eligibility to be extended by one semester as well. The increase of the individualized standard period of study by one semester also eases time pressure for students – for example, when it comes to taking exams tied to specific deadlines – and is thus intended to provide additional support.
Further information is available on the website of the state government.
Important information on Corona booster vaccination
The Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) has updated its recommendations on COVID-19 vaccinations again.
The STIKO now recommends that everyone aged 18 and older receive a booster dose with an mRNA vaccine from 3 months after their last dose of the primary immunization. Persons who were vaccinated with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are advised to receive the booster dose as early as 4 weeks after primary immunization.
University Management, the Crisis Management Team, and the University Medical Center continue to strongly encourage all members of RWTH to get a booster vaccination at the recommended interval. Individuals who have not yet been vaccinated are urged to take up a vaccination offer as soon as possible!