Information regarding the corona virus (COVID-19)

The university’s central administration and its facilities management have checked course rooms with regard to their suitable occupation level and set a maximum capacity. Binding details can all be found on the “Belegung Lehrräume” website (Intranet). The occupation level of rooms is not governed by the labeling of seats. When allocating the room, the maximum capacity must be considered with regard to the expected number of participants. Use of the CO2 traffic lights is still recommended. Information about CO2 traffic lights

The following recommendations apply with regard to regular sufficient ventilation of spaces:

• Air individual offices with windows fully open (“Stoßlüften”) for three to ten minutes, where possible with heating turned off for this period, at least every 60 minutes
• Air shared-use rooms with windows fully open at least every 20 minutes or ensure a constant flow of air with a fully-open door/window on opposite sides (where possible with heating turned off for this period).
  Duration of airing:
  o in summer: up to ten minutes (allowing for outdoor temperature)
  o in spring/autumn: five minutes
  o in winter: three minutes

It is recommended that the ventilation intervals are monitored either simply by the person in charge or in consultation with the other occupants of the room, e.g. using the timer function on smartphones. Where available, CO2 traffic lights can still be requested. Aside from this, ideally and where possible (if the temperature allows it) there should be constant airing with open door/window on opposite sides. Where there are room ventilation systems with an adequate supply of fresh air, additional ventilation via the windows is not necessary.

• In buildings and rooms with air conditioning, the building management controls the room ventilation system, ensuring a maximum supply of fresh air here.
• Use of independent air-conditioning units in work spaces that are used by multiple people conflicts with the above ventilation recommendations. Ventilation has priority over air-conditioning. Air-conditioning should be switched off here.
• If several people are present in a room, fans interfere with the safety provided by the recommended minimum distances. Use of fans should be avoided if more than one person is present.
• Corona-related ventilation has priority with regard to the minimum temperatures set down for work spaces.

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) has identified risk groups in connection with SARS-CoV-2 who are at greater risk of severe Covid-19. The occupational health recommendations for employees at greater risk from Covid-19 "Umgang mit aufgrund der SARS-CoV-2-Epidemie besonders schutzbedürftigen Beschäftigten" provide important information on the provision of individual protective measures. Other important information about risk assessment can be found on the websites of relevant specialist medical associations. In addition, we refer to the recommendations and documents compiled by the vaccine committee (STIKO) of the Robert Koch Institute in its prioritization of vaccinations.

Likewise, additional protective measures are recommended for pregnant women by the BAFzA (Federal Office of Family Affairs and Civil Society Functions) maternity protection committee and the occupational health and safety authorities of the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg, and these have to be implemented at the University of Tübingen. Please see the University's hygiene concept (PDF) for details.

Members of vulnerable groups including pregnant women are therefore requested where necessary to speak to their teachers (in the case of students) or supervisors (in the case of employees). This can enable a joint solution that meets the need for protection of the person concerned as well as the demands of face-to-face teaching and working procedures.

In addition, the university medical service can be consulted ( phone +49 (0)7071 29 87092, ambulanz.arbeitsmedizinspam prevention@med.uni-tuebingen.de).The university medical service can on request provide anyone it advises – while observing medical confidentiality – with a certificate on its risk assessment and its occupational medical recommendations. Only on the basis of this individual consultation can individual protection measures be taken for the members of a risk group.

In the event of any difficulties in coordinating recommended protective measures in individual cases, the persons concerned may contact the staff council, Human Resources or the Executive Vice-President of the University – also immediately after consultation with the university medical service, if necessary. These bodies can also submit the individual case for consultation in the Integration Committee. 

Regardless of any risk assessment under occupational health and safety legislation, the tests and medical face masks (DIN EN 14683) in stock at the university may as available and needed still be obtained and voluntarily used by staff for infection prevention during the Covid-19 pandemic; this currently also applies to FFP2 masks until further notice. In addition, the University continues to provide two Coronavirus self-tests per week to its employees.

Requests can be made using the Artikelbedarfsanforderung form from the Purchasing department, SG 4. Costs will be covered from central funding.

Bürgertests (citizens’ tests)

Staff and students may continue to be tested at the rapid test centers in the City of Tübingen. State funding for the so-called citizen tests has expired on June 30, 2022.