Updated – Coronavirus: Precautionary Measures
The outbreak of a coronavirus in the city of Wuhan, Hubei Province in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has led to extensive travel restrictions. In response to the first confirmed cases in Germany, the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin is issuing a periodic safety assessment.
No permit for business trips to the PRC
The university leadership informs that until further notice, no business trips to the People's Republic of China will be approved. Well-founded exceptions are permitted. In addition, the university management refers to the partial travel warning and safety instructions from the Federal Foreign Office.
Transit flights or stopover options in the PRC are to be avoided, since numerous countries have tightened their entry requirements and short stays in the PRC can also lead to quarantine measures or entry bans in other countries.
International department supports students, guest researchers and staff
Frau Britta Baron
Business travel permits for HU employees
E-Mail: britta.baron@hu-berlin.de
Tel.: (030) 2093-20080
Frau Nina Gerland
Visiting scientists/doctoral students from abroad
E-Mail: nina.gerland@hu-berlin.de
Tel.: (030) 2093-20094
Frau Ulrike Spangenberg
Incoming students
E-Mail: ulrike.spangenberg@hu-berlin.de
Tel.: (030) 2093-46712
Frau Katharina König
Outgoing students/doctoral students who want to go abroad
E-Mail: katharina.koenig@hu-berlin.de
Tel.: (030) 2093-46728
Background
The spread of the so-called novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) has been recorded in the PRC since mid-December 2019. The first cluster of cases of the disease was reported in the city of Wuhan. In the meantime, the entire Hubei Province has been placed under quarantine.
The incubation period (time from the transmission to the outbreak of the disease) is around 14 days. Following non-specific symptoms similar to flu, life-threatening disease situations can develop especially for persons with serious pre-existing conditions. The infection, however, is well treatable and there is an effective drug therapy.
In Germany, an infection can now be reliably detected within a few hours. According to the Federal Ministry of Health, 20,400 cases have been reported worldwide, including 426 death. In Germany, twelve cases have been reported (as of 4 February 2020).
Recommended Precautionary Measures
- Business trips to the PRC are not permitted
- Please observe the current advice of the Federal Foreign Office.
- For essential travel to the PRC, local recommendations (for example, wearing a protective mask) should be followed.
- Members of Humboldt-Universität and guests who have arrived from China within the past 14 days or had contact with a person infected with the virus and have flu-like symptoms (fever, coughing, breathing difficulties) should see their primary-care physician immediately.
- Please observe the hygiene tips about hand washing and about cough and sneeze (german only)