FAQ
Table of contents
Current operations
All supervisors and staff with personnel responsibility are requested to instruct their employees to work remotely, as far as their duties permit this and their presence at TU Dresden is not indispensable for the fulfillment of their tasks. Especially for parents with child-care obligations or individuals belonging to a risk group, working remotely is preferred.
Work that requires physical presence on the campus – e.g. laboratory work, experimental research or certain administrative tasks – is still possible, provided that the current hygiene rules are strictly adhered to. Please note that you are still required to register via the ZIH tool before entering TUD buildings.
These measures initially apply until Februray 6, 2021.
To ensure the best possible protection of all TUD members, the University Medical Service published two process flows in August 2020 to clarify responsibilities and information chains within the TU Dresden for employees and students/lecturers in the event of infection. These process flows already apply if someone have had contact with infected persons.
Employees should keep to the following process flow.
Students and lecturers can find their process flow here.
In the recotr's message of October 26th, 2020, the University Executive Board and the ZIH established a check-in tool for tracing the spread of the infection. Those visiting the buildings of TU have to register daily using the web portal.
This should be done (preferably) online in advance, or on site via the QR code notice displayed at the entrances to the buildings, which have been put up by those responsible for the respective location. The supervisors are required to randomly check the entries of all employees. All collected data (name, address, length of visit, telephone number/email address) will be deleted after one month following registration. Further information is available from the Data Protection Officer Mr. Jens Syckor.
Die Allgemeinverfügungen der kreisfreien Städte und Landkreise Sachsens regeln, dass ab einer fünf Tage andauernden Überschreitung der 7-Tage-Inzidenz von 200 das Verlassen des häuslichen Umfeldes eines triftigen Grundes bedarf. Der Besuch der TU Dresden zur Ausübung der beruflichen Tätigkeit oder im Rahmen der akademischen Ausbildung zählt dazu.
Für eine Glaubhaftmachung dieses triftigen Grundes kann die Anmeldebestätigung des ZIH-Tools zur Kontaktnachverfolgung dienen. Es kann daher von Vorteil sein, die Anmeldung über das ZIH-Tool bereits vor dem Verlassen des häuslichen Umfeldes vorzunehmen, um im Falle einer Wege-Kontrolle darauf zurückgreifen und diese vorzeigen zu können.
Who is allowed on TUD offices and who should you contact, if you have specific questions?
The structural units or the supervisors are responsible for organising the work.
The respective supervisors are responsible for regulating within their teams, whether staff work from home (mobile work) or on-site, depending on needs and requirements, taking into account the hygiene regulations and applicable contact restrictions.
Risk groups must be given special consideration and, if necessary, special protective measures must be enacted.
Worktime model
In coordination with the Staff Council, supervisors and staff can reach highly flexible agreements regarding the working hours and whether work tasks are done on-site or remotely (mobile work) These regulations are to apply throughout the university to both academic and non-academic staff, initially on a temporary basis until 31st March 2021:
In addition, the following measures may be agreed by mutual consent between managers and staff to supplement the existing working time regulation.
- Flexible working hours from Monday to Friday 6am - 9pm
- Taking into account the personal circumstances of the employees (e.g. childcare obligations) and the work requirements, it is possible to introduce various "working time schedule/rotating systems" to enable a rotation of employees, e.g. no simultaneous presence in the office; in exceptional cases, a schedule between 7am and 6pm can also be introduced without the employee's consent.
- Work on Saturdays (by default with time premiums from 1 pm onwards) is possible in cases of indispensable business matters.
- Work on Sundays and bank holidays is prohibited as a matter of principle.
- The following working time models should be used:
- On-site work provided the catalogue of measures can be complied with,
- Mobile work
- Model alternating between on-site and mobile work
Insurance
For mobile work, the general provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Working Hours Act apply. Regardless of the place of work, the activities are generally covered by insurance provided by the Saxon Accident Insurance Fund (German: Unfallkasse Sachsen). Private activities are not subject to insurance cover - as is the case for private activities in the office. The only exceptions are movements within the own home, most of which are not insured in cases of mobile work.
For more information, please also see [in German]: https://www.dguv.de/de/mediencenter/pm/pressemitteilung_385796.jsp.
For committee meetings, please do not use rooms that are urgently needed for limited on-site teaching or exams (e.g. central teaching rooms).
In its meeting of 25th May 2020 the Crisis Management Team discussed the possibility of holding on-site committee meetings and decided on the following stipulations:
Which services does the ZIH offer?
All essential ZIH services will continue to be provided. The Service Desk is available via email. Please report any failures or restrictions of services creating a ticket.
Up-to-date information from the ZIH on details regarding the use of IT services can be found here: https://tu-dresden.de/zih/dienste/aktuelles
An overview of the permitted tools for video conferences including the terms of use can be found here: https://tu-dresden.de/zih/dienste/videokonferenz
Please find information regarding the pc-pools at the FAQ-Box "Teaching".
Is there a ban on taking leave?
Bans on taking leave should be avoided wherever possible. The decision is taken by the respective supervisors of the structural unit according to the urgency of the tasks to be performed.
Is it still the case that previously approved leave must be taken?
In principle, leave that has already been approved remains valid. However, bilateral, deviating agreements can be flexibly reached between the supervisors and staff depending on the workload.
In principle, the vacations planned for 2021 are to be taken this year as usual, despite Corona. The regular deadline for taking vacation is 31st December 2021. The following principles apply to the roll-over of vacation into the next year:
- A maximum of ten vacation days (based on a five-day working week) may be rolled over into the next year without providing special reasons.
- In addition, a roll-over is only permitted if there are urgent business or personal reasons for not taking holidays.
- The vacation rolled-over must be taken in full by 30th September 2021, at the very latest. Otherwise it is forfeited. Exceptions to this rule may apply following a long period of illness, maternity or parental leave.
The data protection or information security measures that should be considered are listed on the following website:
upon working remotely:
https://tu-dresden.de/tu-dresden/organisation/zentrale-universitaetsverwaltung/dezernat-3-zentrale-angelegenheiten/sg-3-5-informationssicherheit/mobiles-arbeiten
Health and safety at Work instructions: https://tu-dresden.de/tu-dresden/gesundheitsmanagement/ressourcen/dateien/corona/tud-dokumente-intern/Unterweisung_SARS-CoV-2-3.pdf?lang=en
The information on this website is continuously updated to reflect the dynamic developments.
Please be prudent when you leave your work place. Make sure that doors and windows are closed, switch off unnecessary electrical equipment and check that water outlet valves (taps) are properly closed and that water drainage hoses are firmly attached.
SLUB
All details concearning the expanded digital services and the minimal contact lending service at: http://www.slubdd.de/corona.
Refectories and services of the Studentenwerk (student union)
Teaching and courses
Until the end of the lecture period of the 2020/21 winter semester on February 6, 2021, teaching at TU Dresden is to be conducted digitally. Only courses in which the acquisition of competences is impossible without the direct physical interaction of the students (e.g. lab internships) are permitted on-site in small groups. These must be reported to the Dean's Office of the relevant faculty (or the Central Academic Units) before they are held.
In all the above-mentioned instances, the currently required hygiene measures must be observed, including the minimum distances between participants. If this is not possible for a specific internship, FFP2 masks must be provided to the participants by the respective faculty (in consultation with the occupational safety department, protective clothing may be required).
You can find information and contact persons on the central information sites on teaching and learning during the coronavirus pandemic.
Until the end of the lecture period of the 2020/21 winter semester on February 6, 2021, teaching at TU Dresden is to be conducted digitally. Only courses in which the acquisition of competences is impossible without the direct physical interaction of the students (e.g. lab internships) are permitted on-site in small groups.
Lecturers and examiners are urged to convert their examinations into digital formats or to switch to alternative examination methods. (e.g. take-home exams, open-book exams, multiple-choice exams).
The Center for Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching (ZiLL) supports examiners in the technical and content-related preparation as well as the implementation of examinations.
If it is unavoidable to conduct an examination on-site, examiners are obliged to create a corresponding hygiene concept and to ensure that the hygiene concept is implemented during the examination
For details read the Rector's message as of 8th January 2021.
During TU Dresden's approaching annual closure period, we will continue to stay united as a TUD community. With the motto "TU-together", networking and support services will be made available here.
Protection of the health of lecturers and students has the highest priority. Therefore, safety concepts have been developed for courses requiring attendance.
A minimum distance of 1.5m between persons in the building and during the courses requiring attendance, as well as a reduction in group size, must be observed. Wearing a mouth and nose cover is compulsory.
In addition, the aim is to use rooms with separate entrances and exits wherever possible and to ensure hygienic condition (washing facilities in the sanitary facilities).
The teaching formats will also be adapted to the current conditions.
Coordinated use of the PC pools is in certain circumstances possible. Should PC pools be indispensable for events during the restricted operations mode, the recommendations for the use of TUD PC Pools during the Coronacirus Pandemic are to be adhered to. The respective lecturer is responsible for cleaning (disinfecting wipes) the surfaces used by several people in the respective pool.
The circulating air coolers in the PC pools must be switched off or deactivated to prevent the spread of viruses. This is done by the Technical Control Centre of TU Dresden (extension: 34614). In this case, health protection has priority over comfort and temperature regulation.
Information regarding BAföG-aid can be found in the FAQ-box "Information by the federal gouvernment"
Corona relief fund for students: Application is open again
The Association of Friends and Sponsors of TU Dresden e.V. will continue to support TUD students who, due to the pandemic, are in a proven acute emergency situation and need immediate help. The maximum amount of support is 450 EUR. More information
KfW-Corona-Aid
Students can apply for an interest-free loan from KfW from the beginning of May. The interest-free loan is up to 650 euros a month. The loan can be applied for online without bureaucracy: www.kfw.de/studienkredit-coronahilfe
During the Corona pandemic, students with child(ren) also have the opportunity to take advantage of TUD's flexible childcare service on an hourly basis (e.g. while taking exams) from January to March 2021. The childcare is provided in cooperation with the agency Wirbelwind.
For more information and to register, please visit: https://tu-dresden.de/flexible-kinderbetreuung
Research
Research at the TUD can be conducted within the framework of the updated concept of measures as well as the checklist for the implementation of TU Dresden’s concept of measures. This concept contains all guidelines that currently must be adhered to.
Due to the current exceptional situation, the Law on Fix-Term Contracts in Academia (WissZeitVG) has been amended by an interim regulation. Further information in the FAQ "changes to BAföG and the law on temporary contracts for scientists".
For this reason, the University Executive Board explicitly recommends that every scientist should document their current work and have it confirmed by their supervisor:
- for which time period pandemic-related restrictions existed
- how these restrictions have had a concrete effect on the continuation of their own qualification goal.
If the scientist reaches the regular maximum length of time of their fixed-term contract (6 or 12 years) at a later date, this documentation will be considered relevant and sufficient as proof in the context of an application extension due to the pandemic in line with § 7 paragraph 3 WissZeitVG, according to the current interpretation of the legal regulations. Should the lawmakers develop stricter standards, information will be provided accordingly.
It should be noted that the WissZeitVG only provides the maximum length for limiting the so-called fixed-term qualification limits. The limit on the length of fixed-term contracts does not apply to so-called third-party funding limits in accordance with § 2 paragraph 2 WissZeitVG. For these, there are no temporal restrictions. The limit is usually based on the duration of the third-party funded project. However, the various funding agencies have taken numerous measures to provide swift and unbureaucratic assistance with regard to third-party funding.
General information: Should you have any specific questions regarding project funding, please contact the respective person responsible within Units 5.1 – Research Promotion and 5.2 – European Project Center (EPC).
Under the following links, you will find statements of selected funding bodies on how they are dealing with Covid-19 or the current situation and resulting accessibility (as of 27th October 2020).
AIF
https://www.aif.de/english/home.html
Humboldt Foundation
https://www.humboldt-foundation.de/en/apply/sponsorship-programmes
BMBF
https://www.bmbf.de/en/index.html
DAAD
https://www.daad.de/en/corona-and-daad/
DESY
https://www.desy.de/news/index_eng.html
Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR)
https://www.dlr.de/EN/Home/home_node.html
DFG
https://www.dfg.de/en/service/press/reports/2020/200318_corona_news/index.html
https://www.dfg.de/en/research_funding/announcements_proposals/index.jsp
Scholarships and Fellows German Research Foundation (DFG): https://www.dfg.de/download/pdf/presse/download/anschreiben-corona_massnahmen_stipendien_fellows.pdf
Continuation of the project work and its promotion:
https://www.dfg.de/download/pdf/presse/download/20200318_schreiben_an_alle_gefoerderten.pdf
Erasmus+ German Academic Echange Service (DAAD)
https://eu.daad.de/service/faq/coronavirus/de/76108-coronavirus-und-erasmus-faq-fuer-hochschulen/
Erasmus+ Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB)
https://www.na-bibb.de/en/
Erasmus+ EACEA
https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/resources/coronavirus-impact_en
Erasmus+ PAD
https://www.kmk-pad.org/pad/english.html
Fritz- Thyssen-Stiftung
https://www.fritz-thyssen-stiftung.de/en/
Interreg Polen/Sachsen
https://de.plsn.eu/-/mitteilung-an-die-projekttrager-im-zusammenhang-mit-der-covid-19-pandemie
Interreg Sachsen/Tschechien
https://www.sn-cz2020.eu/de/foerderprogramm/aktuelles/Aktuality.jsp
Joachim Herz Stiftung
https://www.joachim-herz-stiftung.de/en/what-we-do/
Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)
https://www.kit.edu/kit/english/25911.php
PT Jülich
https://www.ptj.de/ueber-uns/aktuelles
SAB
https://www.sab.sachsen.de/index_en.jsp
Stiftung Mercator GmbH
https://www.stiftung-mercator.de/en/
Verein Deutscher Ingenieure (VDI)
https://www.vdi.de/en/home
VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH
https://vdivde-it.de/en/news
Volkswagen Stiftung
https://www.volkswagenstiftung.de/en/funding
Please note the current recommendations of the German Foreign Office regarding entry to Germany!
If you are planning a research stay at TU Dresden, we recommend that you consider postponing your stay in consultation with your host institute, since you may have to go into quarantine after entry and there is currently only limited scope for research at TU Dresden.
If you are already in Dresden, please contact your supervisor at TU Dresden. If you are to be employed at TUD, please contact the Directorate Personnel.
The same regulations apply to visiting researchers as to members of TU Dresden. You can find more information about the current rules and regulations for emergency operation here and at the central Corona-Website of TU Dresden.
Yes. Find out more: https://www.gaestehausweberplatz.de
Health and Hygiene
https://www.coronavirus.sachsen.de/hygienehinweise-4153.html
https://www.dresden.de/en/city/corona_en.php
https://tu-dresden.de/corona/hygieneempfehlungen is a collection of all common advises on hygiene.
As a preventive measure and to facilitate the tracing of infection chains, please use the following documents:
- If you enter a building of TU Dresden, register at www.tud.link/rpyb.
- In your own interest, in order to record which places and persons (primarily contacts outside the family and the usual professional environment) you have visited/seen and when; keep your list for at least 14 days.
- If you have or suspect to have COVID-19, please use the symptom diary of the RKI. In addition, follow the process flow that applies to you (see Corona start page). You will find further information in the following FAQ entries and in our section What to do in Case of Illness.
Possible symptoms are explained here: https://www.infektionsschutz.de/fileadmin/infektionsschutz.de/Downloads/Orientierungshilfe_Buerger.pdf
Anyone displaying symptoms typically associated with COVID-19 must stay at home and consult a doctor.
Testen lassen können Sie sich unter Voraussetzung entsprechender fortgeschrittener Symptomatik oder falls Sie in den letzten 10 Tagen Kontakt zu einem nachweislich Infizierten hatten (Kosten trägt die Krankenkasse):
- bei niedergelassenen Ärzten
- in der Corona-Abmulanz des Universitätsklinikums Dresden
Im Falle des Kontakts zu Infizierten informieren Sie zusätzlich das Gesundheitsamt, damit Infektionsketten nachverfolgt werden. Isolieren Sie sich.
Weitere Testmöglichkeiten sind:
- freiwillige, selbst zu zahlende Tests bei zertifizierten Laboren (beispielsweise www.labor-ostsachsen.de oder www.diagnosticum.eu)
- auf Anweisung des Gesundheitsamts Dresden, zur Nachverfolgung von Infektionsketten.
Keine Testmöglichkeiten sind:
- der Gesundheitsdienst der TU Dresden
- die Flughäfen Dresden und Leipzig/Halle (außer bei der Rückkehr aus internationalen Risikogebieten).
Protokollieren Sie in Ihrem eigenen Interesse (möglichst elektronisch, z. B. mit Excel), welche Orte (Gebäude, Räume, Mensen, Bibliotheken, usw.) Sie wann besucht haben und bewahren Sie diese Liste für mindestens 14 Tage auf.
If you have tested positive for COVID-19 or have had contact with infected individuals, please refer to the following table for the necessary measures and possible isolation duration.
Depending on your individual situation, the following should be communicated:
- Members of staff should inform the Directorate Personnel (dezernat2@tu-dresden.de), your supervisor and the Occupational Health Services (gesundheitsdienst@tu-dresden) following the protocol for staff infection cases (documents available on the coronavirus homepage).
- Students should inform their lecturers following the protocol for student infection cases (documents available on the coronavirus homepage). Please send your quarantine notice to your Examination Office and Occupational Health Services (gesundheitsdienst@tu-dresden).
There is a safety concept for every on-site gathering (whether in research, teaching, administration, transfer), which aims to keep the risk of infection as low as possible.
According to the Federal Joint Committee (german only), as of 19th October anyone who requires a doctor’s note because of a cold can call the doctor by telephone to receive a sick leave for seven days, which may be extended for another seven days. This rule is valid until 31st March 2021.
The risk assessment in the Corona Warning App provides three possibilities:
- low risk (no contact with an infected person)
► no action required - low risk in case of contact with an infected person (contact with low risk of infection, corresponds to contact person of category II)
► minimize personal contacts, observance of the hygiene rules in particular - increased risk in case of contact with an infected person (contact person of category I or II possible)
► Please stay at home and contact the public health department or your GP/family doctor to discuss the subsequent procedure.
A collection of all consulting services regarding COVID-19 can be found here.
For employees
If you are struggling with professional or personal issues, the psychologists of the University Health Management provide advice. You can find more information on the website: https://tu-dresden.de/dez/psychologische-beratung. Appointments can be made by e-mail: psychologische.beratung@mailbox.tu-dresden.de.
For students
You can arrange a personal or telephone consultation appointment by e-mail: psb@studentenwerk-dresden.de. Please describe your situation briefly. More detailed information is available of the website of the Student Union: https://www.studentenwerk-dresden.de/soziales/psychosoziale-beratung.html
How can I efficiently work from home? Work and organisational psychologists from TUD provide recommendations: https://tu-dresden.de/tu-dresden/gesundheitsmanagement/information-regarding-covid-19-coronavirus-sars-cov-2/tipps-fuer-das-arbeiten-von-zu-hause
Information by the Federal Government
Please find current information by the Federal Government here: https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/themen/coronavirus (in German)
On 5th January, the federal and state governments took the following decision (in German) to break the chains of infection.
On 8th April, The Federal Cabinet adopted an additional legislative package to mitigate the effects of the corona pandemic on science and to create incentives for BAföG recipients to become involved in system-relevant areas during the COVID 19 outbreak: https://www.bmbf.de/de/karliczek-wir-mildern-die-corona-beeintraechtigungen-fuer-studierende-und-wissenschaft-ab-11331.html (article in german)
https://www.bmbf.de/en/index.html (Information in english)
Law on temporary contracts for scientists:
The maximum length of time of fixed-term contracts [German: Höchstbefristungsgrenze] for scientific and artistic staff during their qualification phase will be extended for the length of time of the pandemic-related restrictions in the university and research operations (e.g. lack of access to research facilities, laboratories, libraries and archives; additional burden due to the introduction of digital teaching).
Employments for qualification purposes that exist(ed) between 1st March 2020 and 30th September 2020 may be extended for an additional period of up to six months. In order to extend the maximum length of time of fixed-term contracts, it is not required that the employment relationship exists (or existed) for the entire period from March to September. It is sufficient if the contract exists or has existed at any time during this period.
The possibility to extend the contract gives the universities and research institutions as well as the scientists the necessary flexibility to appropriately meet the challenges in each individual case (e.g. depending on the concrete restriction period and the time still required to achieve the qualification goal).
The purpose of this regulation is the compensation for disadvantages that resulted from pandemic-related restrictions of all scientists employed on a temporary basis in accordance with § 2 paragraph 1 WissZeitVG. They should be able to pursue their scientific qualification, for example a doctorate or habilitation, and their professional development despite the pandemic-related restrictions.
Information by the Free State of Saxony
Latest Corona-protection-decree, as of 11th January, valid until 7th February 2021.
https://www.coronavirus.sachsen.de/download/SMS-Saechsische-Corona-Schutz-Verordnung-2021-01-08.pdf (only in german) Translations in various languages are supposed to be found here.
In essence, the regulations of the Corona Protection Ordinance, which is initially valid until January 10, 2021, continue to apply.
Which rules have been updated?
Among other things, the following regulations have been newly included: It is strongly advised that only absolutely indispensable journeys be made by public transport and that the use of buses and trains be kept to a minimum. In addition, employers are urged to facilitate their staff’s ability to work remotely as far as is possible. Tanning salons are to be closed. The same applies to canteens and cafeterias. The delivery and collection of food and beverages for consumption at work are exempt from this regulation.
Tightened contact restrictions
One household, accompanied by a partner and/or children, for whom custody or visiting rights exist, may meet with a person from another household. However, reciprocal, non-commercial supervision of children under the age of 14 in permanent, family or neighborly care is permitted – as long as this involves children from no more than two households. This also applies to family caregivers. Restrictions on leaving your home still apply.
Child welfare is now considered a valid reason to leave the home. This also applies to the curfew. The 15-kilometer rule for shopping and outdoor exercise continues to apply in Saxony. Schools, boarding schools and daycare centers remain closed.
Curfew and contact restrictions
The decree outlines restrictions on leaving the house and a nighttime curfew. A large number of commercial establishments and stores are forced to close. Serving and consuming alcohol in public is prohibited. The obligation to wear a mouth-nose cover is extended and applies in public whenever people meet.
Everyone is urged to reduce contacts with other people to an absolute minimum. Meetings in public and in private spaces are to be limited to a maximum of two households with a maximum of five people. Children up to the age of 14 are not included in the count.
On Christmas, meetings with ten people from the immediate circle of family and friends are permitted from December 23, 12:00 noon to December 27, 12:00 noon.
Leaving the house is only permitted with a justified reason
Leaving the house without a justified reason is prohibited. Justified reasons include:
- the way to work, school, daycare, doctor,
- examinations that cannot be postponed,
- Shopping for daily needs and use of other services within a 15-kilometer radius of the home or workplace or to the nearest grocery store/for daily needs shopping,
- visiting partners, people in need of help, persons who are sick or to exercise custody and contact rights in the relevant private sphere, visiting nursing homes and hospitals,
- meetings and visits with members of another household up to a maximum of five people, or on the occasion of Christmas with up to ten people,
- support for the dying and funerals as well as
- Outdoor sports and exercise within a 15-kilometer radius of the residential area, as well as visiting private or leased allotment gardens or properties in compliance with the contact restrictions.
Extended restrictions in the event of persistently high levels of infection
If the incidence value of 200 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants is exceeded for five days in seven days, an extended curfew is in effect between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. The curfew is based on published figures from the Robert Koch Institute. This is based on the figures published in the Robert Koch Institute's daily situation report. Leaving the house during this time is only permitted for the following reasons:
- • exercise of a profession,
- • way to an emergency childcare center,
- visiting spouse or life partner,
- implementation of the necessary delivery service,
- visiting people requiring assistance and the sick, as well as exercising custody and right of contact,
- visiting a doctor,
- support for the dying,
- essential care for animals,
- in the period from December 24 to December 26 to participate in a church service and
- Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve
Closure of stores
The closure is required for shopping centers, retail stores except for permitted telephone and online services for shipping or delivery only. Among others, the following stores and markets for fast-moving consumer goods and basic supply are permitted to open:
Grocery stores, pet supplies, beverage stores, pick-up and delivery services, pharmacies, drugstores, medical supply stores, opticians, hearing aid specialists, savings banks and banks, post offices, dry cleaners, hairdressers, laundromats and stores selling newspapers, sales of Christmas trees, gas stations, recycling centers, car and bicycle repair stores and relevant spare parts sales outlets, as well as self-producing and marketing nurseries, horticultural businesses and florists.
Information by the State Capital of Dresden
The City of Dresden's general ordinance was rescinded on December 1 and replaced by the Free State's Corona Protection Ordinance, dated December 11, 2020.
The Dresden City Administration publishes daily information on local case numbers and incidence values via Dashboard.
The corona-website of the State Capital of Dresden offers information on quarantine behaviour, general behaviour in case of illness, advisory and other guidelines.
Meetings and events
If you have to submit a hygiene concept for your event, this guideline of the TU will support you:
- Occupational Health Services: gesundheitsdienst@tu-dresden.de
- Safety at Work: arbeitssicherheit@tu-dresden.de
- Legal Office: justitiariat@tu-dresden.de
According to the restrictions on behalf of the ministery conference on October 28, all on-site sport courses of DHSZ going to be cancelled on November 1, or will be transformed into an online offer. Subscribers are informed by e-mail.
Online courses, that have already started, persist. All gyms are closed until further notice.
Travels
Information for Returnees / Quarantine Regulations of the Free State of Saxony
Returnees who travelled to a high-risk area (as defined by the RKI) 10 days prior to entry,
- Must inform the health authorities at the time of entry by filling out a digital entry registration at https://www.einreiseanmeldung.de,
- Must return to their home / accommodation straight away and isolate themselves for 10 days,
- Are required to submit an up-to-date PCR or rapid antigen test to the responsible health office. The test may not be more than 24 hours old at the time of entry. It can also be taken upon entry or, if this is not possible, it can be taken up to 48 hours after entry.
For further information, please refer to the page regarding entry into the Free State of Saxony or the Saxon Corona Quarantine Ordinance (as of January 11, 2021).
Information on test sites can be found in the FAQ “Where can I get tested?”
In addition, returnees should
- not work on site at TUD for at least 5 days after arriving from a high-risk area, even if the COVID-19 test is negative. This does not apply to those commuting from high-risk areas if it is not possible for them to work remotely.
- not work on site at TUD for at least 5 days after arriving from non-risk areas with intercontinental travel routes.
It is strongly recommended to refrain from non-mandatory travel to risk-areas (including weekend trips or home visits) for the duration of the increased risk of infection.
Business trips should be reduced to an absolute minimum and should only be carried out if they are indispensable for business purposes and if the hygiene and distancing regulations are adhered to. This applies to both arrival and departure. Detailed information is available on the webpage of Unit 2.4.
Up-to-date information from the Foreign Affairs Ministry Since October 1, 2020, comprehensive and differentiated safety instructions and travel warnings have again been in effect for individual countries.
Current information from the Federal Foreign Office: https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/ReiseUndSicherheit/-/2296762
Cross-border commuters, i.e. persons who reside in risk areas of neighboring states and enter Saxony from there to work, to pursue training or studies and commute regularly, i.e. at least once a week, to their residence (in the risk area in the neighboring state) can continue to do so without quarantine. The prerequisite for this is that they get tested regularly, at least twice a week.
In an epidemiological bulletin, the RKI has evaluated the case numbers in different infection environments (Robert Koch Institut; Seedat, Jamela (2020): Infektionsumfeld von COVID-19-Ausbrücken in Deutschland. In: Aktuelle Daten und Informationen zu Infektionskrankheiten und public health, 24, 38, pp. 5-10.).
Virtual (online) events can be applied for using the APPLICATION for the reimbursement of expenses for participation in a virtual event template. They have to be approved/confirmed by the supervisor and submitted for processing to Directorate 1, Unit 1.1 Budget and Financial Accounting or Unit 1.3 Administration of External Funding.
Risk groups, parents and caregiver
Information by Directorate 2
TU Dresden employees may claim emergency care if both legal guardians or the sole legal guardian belong to one of the system-relevant occupational groups listed under case group 1 and are/is prevented from caring for the child due to official or operational reasons. For employees of TU Dresden, the sub-item "personnel required for operations in institutions and authorities of the Free State of Saxony" listed under case group 1, section "Ensuring public safety and order" may be applicable in particular.
If superiors consider the activity indispensable, i.e. employees belong to the so-called "operationally necessary personnel in facilities of the Free State of Saxony", a claim for emergency childcare can be asserted in the case of the above-mentioned need. Working remotely is not a general exclusion criterion for the registration for emergency childcare. However, employees who perform indispensable activities on site in the office should be given priority access to emergency childcare.
Unless employees are single custodians, confirmation from the employer of the other custodian is also generally required, i.e., they must also be employed in a listed occupation of the system-relevant infrastructure for the child's respective care facility to recognize the entitlement to emergency care. Endorsements must be obtained on page 1 (bullet point A.) of the form provided for this purpose.
Only in very exceptional cases will the activity at TU Dresden be assigned to the so-called "case group 2", which in itself (i.e. even if the other guardian is not working in one of the listed system-relevant occupations) already justifies the claim for emergency care. For this to be the case, the operationally necessary activity at TU Dresden would have to explicitly serve to fight the Corona pandemic. In this case, page 2 (bullet point B.) of the form must be filled out.
The pre-filled form (usually its pages 1 and 3) is to be sent by mail to dezernat2@tu-dresden.de via the supervisor (i.e. confirmation/signature by them regarding the operational necessity) for confirmation by the Directorate Personnel.
The signed form will be returned by email, if necessary by postal mail.
Information by Unit 9.3 Diversity Management
If daycare centers and schools are closed and you are not entitled to emergency care, the flexible child care of the TU Dresden (in cooperation with the agency Wirbelwind) can be at least an hourly relief in the daily balancing act between work / teaching commitments / studies and homeschooling / child care. The flexible childcare also can be used by TU Dresden employees with teaching commitments.
Information by Directorate 2
Paid exemption from work
If there is no entitlement to emergency childcare and, due to the need for childcare at home, it is not possible to work either remotely or at the workplace, employees have the option of taking a maximum of 10 days (based on a five-day working week) of paid time off to care for children under the age of 12, following the SMI/SMF decree from March 30, 2020. Work-related matters must not conflict with the time off.
Applications can be sent by email to dezernat2@tu-dresden.de using the form provided as an electronically signed PDF document or scanned in with handwritten signatures (co-signature of supervisor required). As long as daycare centers and schools remain generally closed as part of the lockdown, no additional certificate from the childcare facility regarding the closure needs to be attached.
Time off for childcare already granted shall be counted towards the total of the 10 days. During regular school vacation periods (December 23, 2020, to January 3, 2021), no time off will be granted for the care of schoolchildren. Existing work time credits shall be eliminated before the use of the time off unless they are saved for use during the company holiday and used accordingly per Circular Letter D3/1/2020.
If work can be done on an hourly basis while caring for children, it is also possible to divide the above-mentioned days off into half days so that a larger total number of working days can be covered. Supervisors should not place too high demands on remote work; the additional burden of childcare must be taken into account appropriately when assigning work tasks.
Unpaid exemption from work /
Compensation for loss of earnings according to § 56 para. 1a IfSG
If the aforementioned paid exemptions from work have been exhausted, unpaid exemption from work can be granted upon request. Under certain conditions, compensation for loss of earnings can amount to 67 percent of net pay (maximum 2,016 euros per month) can be claimed for a period of up to 10 weeks (up to 20 weeks for single parents) in accordance with § 56 para. 1a Infection Protection Ordinance (IfSG). The regulation is initially limited in time until March 31, 2021.
Detailed information on the requirements is available on the coronavirus website of the Free State of Saxony: FAQ - Compensation for parents who have to care for their children themselves dues to school and daycare center closures, as well as for parents of children with disabilities due to the closure of facilities for persons with disabilities.
Any accrued holiday entitlement from 2020 must be claimed before claiming compensation for loss of earnings. In addition, there must be no working time credit available (unused overtime). Compensation can only be granted if another reasonable care option cannot be claimed. This includes, in particular, emergency care provided for those working in sectors for critical infrastructure. Should it be possible for a parent to provide care without a loss of earnings (e.g. In the case of furlough, parental leave, unemployment, child sick days, incapacity to work, etc.) this constitutes a reasonable care option. Compensation for loss of earnings can only be applied for entire days, not by the hour.
Anyone wishing to take advantage of this option should email Directorate Personnel (dezernat2@tu-dresden.de) directly. The email should include a brief description of the current situation and the amount of time off needed (specific days or time periods). Directorate Personnel will make contact, offer individual advice if necessary, and request any additional information or evidence needed.
If the requirements are met, TU Dresden as the employer will apply for the compensation for a loss of earnings via the State Office for Taxes and Finances at the Saxon State Directorate.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the German government has decided to double the entitlement to the so-called child sick days (paid exemption from work with payment of child sick days by the health insurance funds for children under twelve) for the year 2021. Accordingly, in the current year, each parent will be granted 20 days per child (maximum 45 days in the case of several children), and single parents 40 days per child (maximum 90 days in the case of several children).
Employees, who have statutory health insurance for themselves and their child(ren) are entitled to time off from work, with continued payment, to care for their child if they fall ill. The absence from work must be reported immediately to the manager. As usual, the child sick leave certificate must be enclosed as proof.
In addition, the child sick days 2021 may also be used to cover coronavirus-related childcare needs. More detailed information on this will follow as soon as the relevant law has been announced.
Pursuant to § 29, para. 1, letter e of the TV-L, salaried employees who have private health insurance for themselves or their child(ren) are entitled to up to four days of paid exemption from work per calendar year due to the illness of a child under the age of 12, and to one additional day due to the illness of a relative living in the same household. In addition, unpaid exemption from work in accordance with § 29 para. 3, sentence 2 of the TV-L for a period of up to two working weeks (with the exemption being credited to the period of employment) or, in addition, unpaid leave in accordance with § 28 TV-L (without being credited to the period of employment) may be requested from Directorate Personnel. The extent to which private health insurance will cover the resulting loss of earnings or has extended this possibility due to the coronavirus pandemic must be clarified by the employees themselves.
Pursuant to § 12 para. 2 of the Saxon Vacation, Maternity Protection and Parental Leave Ordinance, civil servants are entitled to paid leave of up to 10 working days (single parents 20 working days) per calendar year in the event of a child falling ill, or up to 25 working days in the event of several children (single parents up to 50 work days). In addition, a special regulation was made by decree of the State Ministry of the Interior (SMI) dated January 4, 2021. According to this, leave with continued payment for the necessary childcare can be granted on application for up to 15 additional work days (single parents up to 30 additional work days) in the event of the closure or prohibition of entry into community facilities. This also applies if children are prevented from attending daycare or school due to the closure of the facility or due to cold symptoms.
Corresponding requests must be submitted in writing or by email to Directorate Personnel (dezernat2@tu-dresden.de) including a signature of the manager. Please note the other requirements specified in the SMI decree. If a general closure of all childcare facilities in the respective federal state has not taken place, please enclose a confirmation from the childcare facility or the attending medical professional that daycare/school attendance is not possible alongside your application.
The effects of SARS Cov-2 infection during pregnancy or on nursing mothers and their babies have not yet been conclusively and scientifically clarified. Therefore, general precautions such as keeping a minimum safe distance, contact minimization, wearing a mask and hand hygiene are currently applicable to expectant or nursing mothers. To ensure compliance with the special protective situation, these points were included in the risk assessment of the maternity notification forms at TUD.
You can find the forms and detailed information on maternity leave for employees and students at https://tu-dresden.de/intern/arbeitsschutz-gesundheit-umwelt/arbeits-und-brandschutz/mutterschutz
Employees who belong to a risk group or live with them should inform their supervisor immediately in order to jointly find individual solutions.
- Employees are entitled to up to 10 days exempt from work to organize care for close relative in need of such care (for the group of persons, see § 7 para.3 PflZB / § 66 para. 2 sentence 1 SächsBG) in an acute care situation or to ensure care is provided during this time.
- For employees, this exemption is unpaid; an application for care support allowance can be submitted to the care insurance fund of the person requiring care.
- Civil servants are granted exemption in accordance with § 71 of the Saxon Civil Service Act with continued payment of their salaries: The need for care must be proven in each case by a medical certificate (see sample form and more detailed information on the procedure).
- For employees, the entitlement to exemption from work and care support allowance has been temporarily increased to up to 20 days for the period from October 29, 2020 to March 31, 2021 by the special provisions in § 9 para. 1 PflZG / § 150 para. 5D SGB XI if the acute care situation arises due to the COVID-19 pandemic. No comparable provision has been made to date for civil servants.
- After the (up to) 20 work days (for employees) or 10 work days (for civil servants), managers should preferentially offer remote work to this group. If remote work is not possible, the possibilities of flexible working hours should be considered (reduction of accumulated overtime hours, moving the work to a later date) or taking holiday days or carried over holiday days from the previous year.