Coronavirus: information for students

Last Update: January 24^th 2022

• Winter semester 2021/2022
• "3G-rule" at Viadrina
• Vaccinations for students

On this page you will find all important information about studies, teaching and university life in the current situation. Please check this website regularly.

Content:

• Winter semester 2021/2022
• "3G-rule" at Viadrina
• Vaccinations for students
• Examinations, term papers and theses
• Cross-border study 
• Information for newly arriving international students
• Events, consultation hours and committee meetings on site
• Access to university buildings
• University library
• Extension of the standard period of study
• Financial support
• Information and advice centres
• Hygiene measures at the Viadrina
• Correct behaviour in case of disease symptoms and suspected cases
  
  

In the winter semester, courses are offered in presence, hybrid or online.

Rooms are available on campus for online courses. You can find an overview here (in German).

Examinations can still take place in presence on campus.

You can always find the current information on the format and procedure of a course in the respective Moodle course. Questions about the courses and examinations offered in specific degree programmes are best addressed directly to the respective contact persons, who can be found on the following websites: 

• Faculty of Cultural Studies,
• Faculty of Economic Sciences,
• Faculty of Law (in German),
• European New School of Digital Studies.

For courses and examinations in attendance, the "3G rule" applies to participants as well as teaching and supervisory staff, according to which only convalescents, vaccinated or negatively tested persons may participate in attendance courses. The proof of compliance with the 3G rule is checked at the central teaching buildings, the Audimax and the Gräfin-Dönhoff-Building, across the board and at other buildings on a random basis. In addition to the 3G proof, please also have a photo ID (student or ID card) ready.

In addition, teachers may require participants in their courses and examinations to present one of the certificates. For more information on which certificates are recognised to fulfil the 3G rule at Viadrina, please see the section 3G rule.

In addition, from now on, the obligation to wear a medical mask applies again in all courses. An exception is only permitted if the character of the course requires this, e.g. for lecturers during a recording or during oral exercises in language courses.

Distance teaching has been reinstated at the Collegium Polonicum for the period 24.1.2022 to 23.2.2022 by decision of the AMU.

The 3G rule applies to courses, examinations, use of the library and visits to the refectory and public events in accordance with the house rules (in German).

Proof:
In order to comply with the 3G rule, the following paper or digital proof in conjunction with a valid photo ID is recognised in accordance with the House Rules in conjunction with the applicable Containment Ordinance of the State of Brandenburg:

• Proof of complete Corona vaccination according to the COVID-19 protective measures exemption regulation (in German), i.e. the vaccination must have been carried out with a vaccine approved in the EU and at least 14 days must have passed since the last vaccination date. Please note that only vaccination certificates with QR code will be accepted. Upon presentation of the required documents, they will be issued by pharmacies free of charge. Please note that since 14.1.2022, people who have received only one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are no longer considered fully vaccinated. For full vaccination protection, an additional vaccination is necessary.

• Recovery certificate in accordance with the COVID 19 Protective Measures Exemption Regulation (in German). Only convalescent certificates with a QR code are accepted. Upon presentation of the required documents, pharmacies will issue them free of charge. Please note that since the amendment of the COVID 19 Protective Measures Exemption Regulation (in German) of 14.1.2022, convalescent certificates are only valid for 90 days. The reduction of the validity period from 6 months to 90 days also affects convalescent certificates issued before 14.1.2022.
  
  
• A proof of a negative Corona test:
• Certified rapid test: According to the Coronavirus Testing Ordinance (in German), there is again the right to free testing in the public testing centres certified for this purpose.
• Certificate issued at the Viadrina confirming the completion of a self-test under supervision. In the basement of the main building (HG K035) a test centre has been set up again. This offers supervised self-tests for students and employees of the Viadrina on weekdays from 8.30 to 9.30 and 10.30 - 11.30. The room is located directly next to the entrance to the service yard of the main building opposite the Marienkirche. 
• The test result may not be older than 24 hours.

Corona test centres in Frankfurt (Oder), Słubice, Brandenburg and Berlin
According to the Coronavirus Testing Ordinance (in German), there is again the right to free testing in the public testing centres certified for this purpose.

Under the following links you will find an overview of the respective test centres:

• Frankfurt (Oder)
• Słubice
• Berlin
  
  

Vaccinations are the best way to contain the pandemic and achieve as much attendance as possible in the winter semester. Viadrina arranges vaccination offers for employees and students. Current information and vaccination dates are published on this website.

You can also receive a Corona vaccination from doctors in private practice. In Frankfurt (Oder), for example, the doctor's practice Dr. Huth offers vaccinations with different vaccines also for people who are not already patients of the practice. The doctor's practice Mortag also offers an open vaccination appointment once a month. To make an appointment, please contact the medical practices directly.

In the Berlin vaccination centres, you can now receive booster vaccinations for initial immunisation with an mRNA vaccine (Biontech/Pfizer or Moderna) if this was at least 5 months ago.

In Frankfurt (Oder), a municipal vaccination centre is once again available at the exhibition grounds (Messehalle), Messering 3, in Hall 2, operated on behalf of the State of Brandenburg. It is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 9.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. For reasons of infection control and to be able to guarantee the availability of vaccine, visiting the vaccination centre is for the time being only possible by making an appointment. You can book a vaccination appointment directly here.

You can find more information on vaccinations against the Corona virus here:

• Vaccination offers in Brandenburg
• Vaccination offers in Berlin and up-to-date information on available vaccinations without prior appointment at the Berlin vaccination centres (Information in German)

• Information on corona vaccination with mRNA vaccines (Information in German)
• Information on Corona vaccination with vector vaccines (Information in German)
  
  

Written and oral examinations may be conducted face-to-face in compliance with the distance regulations and hygiene precautions  (in German) as well as in compliance with the 3G rules anchored in the Viadrina house rules.

From November 24th, 2021, wearing a medical mask (surgical mask or FFP2 mask) while permanent seating is obligatory. During oral examinations, persons directly involved in the oral examination can take off the mask. We recommend removing the mask only when speaking.

On the following pages you will find the regulations on processing times and deadlines as well as information on the submission of written assignments and theses for your degree programme:

• Faculty of Social and Cultural Sciences (in German)
• Faculty of Business Administration and Economics
• Master of European Studies (in German)
• Master of Mediation and Conflict Management (in German)
• Language Centre (in German)

Please inform yourself about the regulations for handing in written work at your faculty or at the responsible examination office. Written papers are usually handed in by post or by dropping them in the letterbox at the main building (Große Scharrnstraße 59).

Under certain conditions - for example for students commuting across the border - oral examinations may be held at the Collegium Polonicum in individual cases.

For students commuting across the border, quarantine is still mandatory according to Polish entry regulations. Cross-border students are all students who regularly have to cross the German-Polish border for compulsory study purposes. There is an exception to the quarantine requirement for the following groups of people:

• Persons who have a certificate of a negative corona test that is not older than 48 hours at the time of entry,
• Persons who have been fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved in the EU and whose last vaccination is not older than 14 days,
• Persons who have a convalescent certificate according to the COVID 19 Protective Measures Exemption Ordinance. This proof must not be older than 90 days.

Corresponding evidence must be carried in Polish or English and presented to the police or border guards upon request.

Please always carry your student ID and another proof (e.g. your exam registration/boarding pass, confirmation of registration for university library) with you.

Especially for students living Poland who have to travel to Germany for compelling study purposes (esp. presence exam) and for whom the test costs represent a financial burden can apply for financial support from the Viadrina Emergency Fund. For this purpose, a short, informal application must be sent by e-mail to stip@europa-uni.de, stating the financial hardship, the compelling necessity of crossing the border (e.g. confirmation of registration for the presence examination) as well as the place of residence in Poland. A decision on the applications will be made in the short term.

You are coming to Frankfurt (Oder) soon to start your studies or your semester abroad at Viadrina? Please note the important hints and information regarding the arrival from risk areas, quarantine regulations and support offers of the Studentenwerk and Viadrina.

If you have further questions, please contact the team of the International Office.

Public events can be held in the presence of the Viadrina in compliance with the guidelines of the contact regulation and the house rules. Important information on holding public events, for example on the 3G rule or the documentation of presence for contact tracing, is written down in this handout (in German).

Working meetings, committee meetings and consultation hours with students and invited external participants are possible by prior individual appointment, subject to the hygiene and distance regulations on site. For events, please send a hygiene concept to praevention@europa-uni.de in advance.

If external guests are received for work meetings or committee meetings, the contact details must be recorded in a form and kept for 4 weeks for the purpose of tracing infection chains. 

The university buildings are open to the public. Access is prohibited for persons who are ill with Covid-19 or who are suspected of being infected. In accordance with the house rules (in German), the 3G rule (vaccinated, tested or recovered) applies.

The main building is open from Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 8.30 a.m. to 7 p.m and Sunday from 10.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m..

The Gräfin-Dönhoff building, the Audimax and the Viadrina-Building in August-Bebel-Straße and the Logenhaus are open Monday to Friday from 6.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. The building at Große Scharrnstraße 23a is open Monday to Friday from 8.00 a. m. to 6.00 p. m.

The Mensa in the GD as well as the coffee bar in the main building are also open again, you can find the current opening hours on the website of the Studentenwerk. Please note that the 3G rule applies to the use of the Mensa.

The University Library is open weekdays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m and Sundays from 11 a. m. to 6 p. m. On-site registration is required to use the reading room and the 3G rule applies.

The Collegium Polonicum is accessible in compliance with special rules of residence, that are written down in the hygiene concept for the Collegium Polonicum (in German). The 3G rule does not apply there. However, we advise you to follow it voluntarily. Here you can find the opening hours of the Collegium Polonicum library.

The University Library is open Monday to Friday from 9. a.m. - 9. p.m., Saturday from 9. a.m. - 6. p.m. and Sunday from 11. a.m. - 6. p.m.

Use of the reading room
The number of users who may be in the reading room at the same time is limited. The 3G rule applies to the use of the reading room. In addition, on-site registration is required and there is attendance documentation for the purpose of contact tracking.

When visiting the library, the distance and hygiene rules (in German) must be followed. In the reading room it is compulsory to wear a medical mask (surgical mask or FFP2 mask). This also applies to the fixed workstations. 

Information:
For general requests please contact ub_ausk@europa-uni.de, for requests regarding interlibrary loan please contact ub_fernl@europa-uni.de.

The Collegium Polonicum Library is open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Wednesdays from 12 noon to 7 p.m..

In order to mitigate the negative consequences of the corona pandemic on the course of studies, the state of Brandenburg has decided to extend the individual standard period of study.

For students who were enrolled in the summer semester 2020, the winter semester 2020/2021 or the summer semester 2021, the individual standard period of study is extended by one semester for each of these semesters in which they were enrolled. The extension also applies to students who exceeded the standard period of study with the summer semester 2020, the winter semester 2020/21 or the summer semester 2021. 

BAföG recipients whose maximum funding period (standard period of study) ended with the summer semester 2020 or in the winter semester 2020/21 can receive support for a correspondingly longer period. Those who have not yet applied should do so immediately. 

Depending on your personal situation, you can take advantage of the following support:

• Students in acute financial need can apply for an interim financial aid funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) or a interest free hardship loan (information in German). 
• Longer-term support is provided by BAföG (information in German) or a student loan from the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW).

In all cases please contact the Studentenwerk Frankfurt (Oder). Further information and your direct contact can be found at www.studentenwerkfrankfurt.de.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the service points by telephone or e-mail:

• The Service Point for students is open Monday to Thursday from 9am to 3pm (closed on Fridays) and can be reached by telephone on 0335 5534 4747 or e-mail. Assignments and theses can be handed in there during opening hours.
  
  
• Psychological counselling and pastoral care: Psychological counselling sessions currently take place during open consultation hours or by appointment via video conference or by telephone. Please contact psychberatung@europa-uni.de.
  
  
• The Studentenwerk also offers support with social, psychological or financial problems.
  
  
• Pandemic, BAföG, part-time job, rental contract: FAQs for students.
  
  

To reduce the risk of infection for employees or students in the Viadrina buildings, the following hygiene measures apply:

• In the Viadrina buildings, it is mandatory to keep a minimum distance of 1.5 meters and to wear a medical mask (surgical mask or FFP2 mask).
  Exceptions to the mask requirement exist only in the individual office at the permanent workplace as well as in teaching and at special events in the cases provided for by the applicable handling or containment ordinance. In offices with multiple occupancy, in meetings, joint breaks and committee meetings, the mask requirement can only be waived if the intervals are observed and all those present voluntarily inform themselves that they have been vaccinated or have recovered.
  
  
• It is compulsory to wear a medical mask (surgical mask or FFP2 mask) in all Viadrina buildings.
  
  
• Regular hand washing with soap for at least 20 seconds is one of the most important hygiene measures.
  
  
• The ventilation systems in all Viadrina buildings are operated in accordance with current infection protection standards.
  
  
• In all offices and seminar rooms, lecture halls, sanitary areas and corridors, door handles and light switches are disinfected once a day, as are handrails in all stairways, lifts and public photocopiers.
  
  
• Separate rules (available in German) apply to the University Library. Outside the workplace, the obligation to wear a medical mask applies in the reading room.
  
  
• Separate cleaning of the rooms takes place before examinations. Students who write exams will receive detailed information about hygiene and behavioral measures in a confirmation e-mail before their exam.
  
  
• We kindly ask you to use the Corona Warning App of the Federal Government. The app helps to identify chains of infection and supports the health authorities in containing the pandemic.

Information on barrier-free implementation of infection control measures (in German).

We kindly ask you to observe the current instructions of the Federal Centre for Health Education (in German).

Please stay at home if symptoms of illness occur and contact your family doctor.

Students who do not have a family doctor can contact the doctor's practice Dr. Huth in Frankfurt (Oder) in the event of a positive rapid test or symptoms of illness for clarification by means of a free PCR test. The test centre in the Oderturm also refers positive citizens' tests to a nearby doctor's practice for a free PCR test.

Suspicion and infection case:
If you have a suspected Corona infection (positive rapid test) or test positive for Corona, please report this immediately to praevention@europa-uni.de. This e-mail box is read regularly, even at weekends.

Please answer the following questions when reporting:

1. When did the positive test result become available? If it was a rapid test, when will it be validated by a PCR test? Has a health authority already been informed, if so which one?
2. Do you have symptoms? Since when?
3. Information on the affected courses: Which courses have you attended in the period since 3 days before symptom onset or test result? Were masks worn during the course? Did you have any further contact with Viadrina staff? You can find out here when a person is considered a contact person (Information in German).

Primary contact:
In the case of direct contact with a person who has been proven to be infected with the corona virus (i.e. a positive test has been performed), the guidelines of the Federal Ministry of Health apply: You must stay at home and report immediately to the responsible health authority (Health Office Frankfurt (Oder), Health Authorities Berlin). The Health Office will inform you about all necessary steps.

If you are vaccinated or recovering, the following precautions apply:
Please test yourself regularly and wear a mask if possible at teaching events or meetings with multiple participants. If you develop symptoms, have a PCR test done at the local health office or a doctor.

Students of the Viadrina are also asked to send a short message to praevention@europa-uni.de in case of a primary contact.

If you have any questions or are looking for support, please do not hesitate to contact us: praevention@europa-uni.de.

Useful links:

• Information about the coronavirus for foreign students in Germany
• Federal Centre for Health Education (in German)
• Information about Corona from the Federal Ministry of Health (in German)
• Answers of the Robert Koch Institute to FAQs (in German)
• Containment Ordinance of the State of Brandenburg ("Eindämmungsverordnung"; in German)
• Information about Corona from the State Ministry of Health (in German)
• Informationen about Corona from the Frankfurt (Oder) city administration (in German)

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