Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Employees and students should contribute to protecting themselves and others from infectious diseases such as coronavirus by consciously applying simple hygiene measures in everyday life.

In principle, the same recommendations apply as for protection against a viral flu. These include in particular the observance of hygiene rules such as regular, thorough hand washing, not shaking hands or hugging, avoiding coughing or sneezing. Rooms should always be well ventilated and handkerchiefs should be disposed of in the rubbish immediately after use. Keeping an appropriate distance of about one to two metres from people with respiratory diseases also protects against transmission of the novel corona virus.

In the non-medical sector, the following applies: Thorough hand washing with normal soap practically completely inactivates corona viruses. The provision of hand disinfectant at the HU is therefore not a priority.

Like other pathogens of respiratory diseases, an infection with the coronavirus can lead to symptoms such as cough, sore or scratchy throat and fever. Some suffer also from diarrhoea. The risk of a severe course with acute respiratory problems and pneumonia is particularly high for people with a weakened immune system.

Persons who have had close contact with a person in whom the novel virus has been detected in the laboratory, or who have been in a risk area, should avoid contact with other people and contact the responsible health authority immediately.

Since 28 January 2020, the Senate Department for Health, Care and Gender Equality has had a hotline to advise residents and guests of Berlin:

+49 30 9028 2828
Daily from 8am to 8pm

Public Insurance Emergency Services can be reached at the following number:

+ 49 116 117
Daily from 8am to 12pm

The Federal Ministry of Health’s hotline for the coronavirus:

+49 30 346 465 100
Monday through Thursday from 8am to 6pm, Friday from 8am to 12am

The Berlin Senate Health Department recommends an evaluation if:

• You have been in a risk area in the past 14 days,
• You have had contact with a person in a risk area,
• Or you have had contact with an infected person.

If you have plans to travel to COVID risk areas, we urgently request that you postpone them. At Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, official travel to these areas continues to be prohibited until further notice.

The risks areas are currently:

• In China: Hubei province (including the city of Wuhan)
• In Iran: Ghom province, Teheran
• In Italy: South Tyrol, Emilia-Romagna region, Lombardy region, and the city of Vo in the Padua province in the Veneto region.
• In South Korea: Gyeongsangbuk-do province (North Gyeongsang).

The university leadership suggests that staff and students in risk areas return to Germany immediately. You should contact the responsible health department before your departure.

You can find the state information centres of the responsible health departments here.

In addition, staff are required to report to their supervisors and provide information prior to returning or at the latest immediately after arriving in Berlin.

People who have recently returned to Germany from a risk area are advised to remain at home for 14 days as a precaution and to inform the responsible health department.

This recommendation is in place for the duration of the (partial) travel warning of the Foreign Office. If study progress or scientific projects are jeopardised by the voluntary quarantine, then supervisors and advisors can be contacted per email or telephone in order to work out a solution.

Whenever reasonably possible, all forms of home office can be used. Time credits should be applied. If no other options are available, paid leave should be granted. Staff are requested to contact their supervisors on a regular basis.

Trips to other areas should also be subject to the following considerations and precautions should be taken:

Urgency of the travel

• Is the trip mandatory? Are there alternatives (telephone conversations, video conferences)? Is a postponement or cancellation possible? Are event organizers considering cancelling the event themselves?

On-site conditions

• Information about entry and exit conditions, consultations and communication with event organizers and contact persons on site, updates on possible border closings and quarantine measures, prohibitions, government requirements and restrictions on daily life (wearing protective equipment, health checks, medical cards). Furthermore, no official travel should be undertaken if travellers are suffering from typical cold symptoms (fever, coughing, breathing difficulties, etc.)