Traveling Abroad

The RKI has resumed its practice of identifying risk areas. The affects possible travel arrangements of university members. For further information, please refer to our blog.

until further notice

Duty to report infections of University members

Cases of infection of University members are immediately to be reported to the University Medical Center at +49 0241 80 94444 ("Hochschulärztliche Einrichtung")

until further notice

Order for employees with category 1 contact person status to work from home (for the usual quarantine period). Category one contact persons are individuals who have been in contact with a person infected with the coronavirus for at least 15 minutes in a closed room (face-to-face contact).

For an in-detail definition of category 1 contact persons, please visit the RKI website (de).

until further notice

Work From Home Arrangements

In agreement with the Rectorate, the Crisis Management Team has decided to extend the University’s work from home policy until the end of the winter semester (March 31, 2021). The Crisis Management Team came to this decision because this year, in the fall and winter, not only will we continue to face the risk of infection with COVID-19, but we will also have to deal with the seasonally increased occurrences of the flu or common cold. For us at RWTH, the protection of students and employees remains the primary objective. For further information, please refer to our blog.

at least until March 31, 2020

Study and reading rooms are only partially open under special conditions to comply with appropriate hygiene measures and contact tracing requirements.

Currently available study and reading rooms:

• University Library (75 seats)
• Semitemp (98 seats)
• University Library 2 (146 seats)

(More rooms are in preparation.)

To make a reservation please use the study rooms booking platform.

until further notice

University Library

The University Library and the Medical Library have reopened for the loan and return of books and other items. Access is limited to two individuals at any one time – please note that this may lead to longer waiting times. The libraries are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm.

RWTH members can again order books and other items from the Central University Library, University Library 2, the Central Textbook Collection, the Center of Patents and Standards PNZ, and the Medical Library using the KatalogPlus online catalogue. The ordered media can then be collected from the checkout desk on the ground floor of the Central Library and from the Medical Library.

Special restrictions on in-person advising services

In principle, in-person advising services can be available again as long as the special hygiene measures are observed. We strongly recommend contacting the respective service point by phone or email beforehand to find out what the measures and conditions are and to then arrange an appointment if possible.

until further notice

Written exams can be held, strict regulations apply

until September 30, 2020 (end of the summer semester)

Work meetings

If the supervisor(s) deems in-person meetings to be essential on the basis of the content of the discussion, such meetings are permitted in compliance with the known hygiene regulations. In all other cases, the University still recommends holding meetings online instead. So-called “hybrid solutions” (partly in person; partly online) are also possible. If larger meeting rooms are required, employees should consider contacting the central room booking serivce. To clear up any questions regarding the hygiene regulations, please contact the Occupational and Radiation Protection staff unit.

A minimum distance of 2 meters between individuals must be maintained during all activities. If this is not possible, the activity may only be carried out under application of compensation measures previously agreed with Occupational Safety.

Here you find guidelines on how to conduct job interviews (de).

until further notice

Regulations on Events

The Rectorate has decided to put special regulations in place for hosting events

Such events include, in particular:

• First-semester student events (Bachelor's students)
• Classes for students in higher semesters (Bachelor) and Mater's students
• Work meetings
• Conferences, symposia, etc.
• Cultural events and events not explicitly regulated by the Corona Protection ordinance ("CoronaSchVO")
• Community events
• Events hosted by third parties

All rules and regulations are laid out in the Guidelines on Holding In-Person Events.

Special regulations are also in place for internships and lab courses as well as excursions:

• Guidelines in the Area of Teaching , see Lab Courses and Practical Training
• Guidelines on Holding Excursions

The University Sports Center has now expanded its interim program. The woodchip and running tracks on Königshügel can also be used again, but use is subject to certain restrictions. The outdoor fitness facility, the changing rooms, and sanitary facilities are still closed.

The Wildenhof water sports facility is only open for sports activities and as part of the interim program. For further information, please visit the HSZ website.

until further notice