FAQ
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News Regulations for mobile work (working remotely) as of July 1, 2021
Although the obligation to encourage mobile work has been lifted as part of the latest changes to the regulations, it is still necessary to keep your contact with colleagues to a minimum.
In order to facilitate the smooth running of the reduced on-site operations, managerial staff are therefore still requested to grant staff the option of working remotely until further notice, provided that the nature and content of their work is suitable for mobile work and that this does not conflict with official interests. Remote work is to be coordinated with the supervisor in advance.
When planning the on-site presence of employees, supervisors should consider how much space is available (if possible, single occupancy of offices or rooms, in the case of multiple occupancy at least 1.5 m distance, not sitting directly opposite each other or only with a plexiglass screen) as well as the staff who are particularly at risk (if this health status known).
New Service Agreement for Mobile Work
In the meantime, and independent of the corona pandemic, the service agreement regarding mobile work has been drawn up at TU Dresden. It serves as the basis for the normal regulations for mobile work (ignoring the current restrictions).
Nevertheless, due to the special situation caused by the pandemic, generous arrangements can be made regarding occasional mobile work, especially where this is necessary to reduce face-to-face contact or for the protection of individual employees. Employees with cold symptoms are asked not to enter the premises of TU Dresden. If the employees are otherwise fit for work, the work should be carried out remotely.
As of July 26, 2021, employees who have not worked for at least five consecutive working days due to vacations and comparable leaves of absence from duty or work are required to submit a negative test (taken on the same day) to the employer on their first day of work on site (no self-test). According to the regulations of the Free State of Saxony, supervised COVID-19 tests are also possible on site for those returning to Germany during the first working day (FAQ Coronavirus regulations of the Free State of Saxony). Employees can use the self-test centre in the Auditorium Center (HSZ) Bergstraße. It is open weekdays from 7 bis 13 Uhr.
The obligation for staff to conduct this test does not apply to individuals who have been fully vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2, or who can prove that they have recovered from a SARS-CoV-2 infection in the six months preceding the obligation to test.
If you resume your work remotely (mobile work), the obligation applies to the first day on which you work on the premises of the university or at another workplace outside your own home (§ 9 para. 1 a SächsCoronaVO). Data regarding coronavirus tests will not be collected
In terms of social responsibility in the current situation of the coronal pandemic, the time required to perform the (return) tests at the TU Dresden is counted as working time.
In case of a positive test result, please follow the process flow for employees.
Independently of the procedure described above, it is useful to make use of the voluntary test offer (2x per week),
Irrespective of the above described procedure after an absence, it is useful to make use of the voluntary test offer (2x per week), which will continue to be provided free of charge. Even if you have been vaccinated or have recovered, you should conduct a test on a regular basis, as a coronavirus infection and transmission cannot be completely ruled out.
For more information on compulsory testing, please visit the Corona website of the Free State of Saxony (in German).
- You are obliged to have a PCR test carried out promptly by the attending physician or a test center (e.g. the test center in the “Kulturpalast“ https://www.johanniter.de/juh/lv-sn/rv-dresden/projekte/coronatest-in-dresden-und-heidenau/corona-schnelltest-in-dresden-und-heidenau/).
- You must immediately go into quarantine (even with complete vaccination). Household members must be informed and advised of a reduction in contact.
- If the PCR test returns a positive result, you must observe the rules explained under “Behavior in case of a positive test result” (https://www.dresden.de/en/city/corona_en.php).
- The result of the PCR test is considered proof. The Public Health Office does not issue this proof and does not write a separate notice.
- If the PCR test is negative, quarantine is over with immediate effect.
To ensure the best possible protection of all TUD members, the University Medical Service published two process flows 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.
Please comply to wear a mask in all TUD facilities. TUD decided to maintain the obligation to wear a face mask in all facilites, regardless of an infection rate below 10.
In addition to the general obligation to wear masks in all buildings, this obligation also applies at the workplace and outdoors if the minimum distance of 1.50 metres cannot be maintained.
Suitable mask types include medical face masks and masks KN95, N95, P2, DS2, CPA. Surgical masks primarily protect those around you but FFP2 masks have the added advantage of protecting you to a much greater extent, provided that they are worn correctly. It is strongly recommended that you wear an FFP2 mask, as stated by the Federal Government: https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/suche/regelung-zu-masken-1842704.
If it is not possible to comply with the protective measures to avoid personal contact, appropriate masks may be provided centrally. If required, please contact Directorate 4, Unit 4.5 Safety at Work.
In order to ensure swift contact tracing, it is strongly recommended - in addition to the existing procedure in case of an infection - to use the Coronavirus warning app and the QR codes, that are displayed at the doors of the facilities. The registration of the staff working on campus using the ZIH tool is no longer required until further notice.
Irrespective of this rule, recording contacts via the Corona warning app or on paper is required for all events that take place on campus. Organizers can use this link to create their own code:
https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/N/Neuartiges_Coronavirus/WarnApp/Event-QR-Code.pdf.
Who is allowed to come into TUD offices and who should you contact if you have specific questions?
The structural units or the supervisors are responsible for organizing the resumption of work.
The supervisors decide within their teams whether staff work from home (mobile/remote 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.
Working time models
Service agreement "Mobile Work" as of June 22, 2021
- Regular mobile work must be applied for by the employee. Supervisor and employee shall sign a fixed-term written agreement within three weeks. Upon request, the agreement may be extended.
- After both parties have signed the agreement, the supervisor must submit a copy/scan of the agreement to the following email address MobileArbeit@tu-dresden.de of the Directorate Personnel for information and filing in the personnel file.
- If the supervisor intends to deny a request for regular mobile work, they must notify the Directorate Personnel via MobileArbeit@tu-dresden.de and provide reasons for the denial.
- Occasional mobile work can be arranged for cases that may arise in a given situation. Supervisors and staff can coordinate and agree on it.
- The employee must apply to the supervisor in good time before the start of the occasional mobile work, i.e. usually two days beforehand, indicating the date, scope of time and availability (by telephone or email). Coordination with the immediate colleagues should take place in advance. For insurance reasons, the supervisor should confirm a verbal agreement by email.
- Occasional mobile work shall not exceed five consecutive work days. § 9 para. 2 shall apply accordingly.
Service agreement "Flexible working hours" as of July 17, 2020
- Allows for flexible working hours from Monday to Friday 6:00 am - 9:00 pm,
- Applies from now on,
- Applies to all members of staff - from administration to technical staff and researchers,
- Enables employees to organize their working hours individually, taking into account official concerns (e.g. hours where the unit needs to be staffed).
- A separate service agreement applies to staff of the Faculty of Medicine.
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 (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.
Tax return
Since there have been varying, individual arrangements concerning remote work, there will be no single, standard confirmation document issued by TU Dresden. The number of days worked remotely is based from the obligation to individually keep time sheets that can be confirmed by the supervisor, if required (blank form). In general, no supporting documents need to be attached for tax returns initially.
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.
Employees, who have statutory health insurance for themselves and their child(ren) are entitled to time off from work if they have to care for their child themselves due to illness or the loss of care options as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. They can claim payment for child sick days from the health insurance fund in the amount of (usually) 90 percent of their net pay.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the German legislator has decided to increase 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 the year 2021. Accordingly, in the current year, each parent will be granted 30 days per child (maximum 65 days in the case of several children), and single parents 60 days per child (maximum 130 days in the case of several children). This applies to all children under the age of twelve or if the child requires assistance due to a disability.
If your child is ill, please notify the supervisor immediately. As usual, the child sick leave certificate must be enclosed as proof.
In addition, in 2021, the child sick days may also be used to cover coronavirus-related childcare needs (§ 45 para. 2a SGB V). The entitlement applies if childcare at home becomes necessary because the childcare facility (school, after-school care center, daycare center) or the facility for the care of persons with disabilities is closed, a ban has been imposed on the class/group or individual children due to the pandemic, compulsory attendance in class is suspended, or access to the above-mentioned childcare is restricted (e.g. in the case of home learning times alternating with on-site classes). There is also an entitlement if employees could technically work from home, but are practically unable to do so due to childcare at home.
If you would like to use child sick days to care for your (healthy) children at home, please indicate the need for time off to your supervisor using the form provided. The form must include the signature of your supervisor and be forwarded to Directorate Personnel, Unit 2.2 (sachgebiet2.2@tu-dresden.de ). Unless there is a general closure of all childcare facilities in the respective federal state, please attach a confirmation from the childcare facility (see sample form).
Please note that from the employer's point of view, the exemption from work is unpaid, and TU Dresden will arrange for a corresponding notification of the payroll office. You need to claim reimbursement for loss of earnings from the health insurance company on your own responsibility. The health insurance companies have provided forms to be used for this purpose on their websites for download (each health insurance company has its own form).
According 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 one additional day due to the illness of a relative living in the same household. Besides, unpaid exemption from work following § 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. According to § 45 para. 5 SGB V, the employer is also obliged to exempt privately insured persons from work (unpaid) at least up to the extent of the above-mentioned child sick days. 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). A special arrangement was also made by decree of the State Ministry of the Interior (updated version of May 21, 2021). It stipulates that, upon request, special leave with continued payment for necessary childcare may be granted for up to 30 additional working days (single parents up to 60 additional working days) in the event of 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 or the child is not being cared for by the child care facility.
- 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 until December 31, 2021 by special provisions (§ 9 para. 1 PflZG / § 150 para. 5D SGB XI Regulation on the extension of measures for the maintenance of nursing care as of 28.06.2021) 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.
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: 2Unterweisung_SARS-CoV-2_ka_Be.pdf
The information on this website is continuously updated to reflect the dynamic developments.
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)
Current information concerning the Studentenwerk
TUD Canteens have reopened
The following canteens are now back open for meals:
- Alte Mensa
- Mensa Zeltschlösschen
- Mensa Reichenbachstraße
- Mensologie
- Mensa Johannstadt
- Mensa TellerRandt
- Mensa Paluccha Hochschule
- Mensa Stimm-Gabel
- Mensa Brühl
- Mensa WUeins
The cafeteria Bib-Lounge and the Grill-Cube are reopening for guests.
This also applies to the Kraatschn canteen in Zittau, the MiO canteen in Görlitz and the police academy canteens in Rothenburg and Bautzen. The canteens in Görlitz and Zittau are open from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm.
Notice:
Please follow hygiene measures as you always have: Wear a mask, follow contact tracing instructions, and maintain minimum distances.
Please visit the Students’ Union website (Studentenwerk) for information on the menu and the different opening hours.
Teaching and courses
You can find the latest information on the 2021/22 winter semester in the circular mail from September 10, 2021. For staff and students of the Faculty of Medicine on the University Hospital Dresden campus, the regulations from the Crisis Management Team of the University Hospital take precedence.
In the 2021/22 winter semester, significantly more on-site teaching will be possible. New maximum room occupancy regulations apply from October 4, 2021 as well as for the first-years’ introductory events prior (for up-to-date occupancy plans, please contact the responsible Schedule Planner or Dean of Studies). If room capacity does not allow for all students to attend, teaching must be conducted in a hybrid or digital form. Courses that require on-site teaching for participants to acquire the necessary competences (lab internships, excursions etc.) are exempt from the maximum occupancy rules as an exception. The normal, pre-pandemic occupancy rules apply to these courses only while adhering to the German 3G rule (vaccination, recovery or negative test) and to the hygiene regulations.
In the interest of a uniform regulation, the 2G option model is not applied at TU Dresden.
It is compulsory to employ contact tracing in all courses via the Corona Warn App (contact tracing)
The Center for Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching (ZiLL) offers consultation (incl. via TUD's Matrix Messenger), guidance, and training sessions to assist with the content and technical design of teaching and testing formats.
Exams (applies to all exams taking place on or after Oct. 1, 2021)
All exams can take place on-site. In addition to the university's Covid safety measures, the 3G status of all participants must be verified. Everyone who participates in exams must submit proof of their vaccination, recovery or a negative test. As an exception, digital exams and alternative graded assessments are still possible. The Senate regulations regarding the rejection of exam results expired at the end of the summer semester, and the deadlines for repeat examinations have been re-implemented.
You can find information and contact persons on the central information sites on teaching and learning.
The special position of the Faculty of Medicine results from the fact that, in addition to its research and teaching, it must also ensure patient care. Alongside the interests of students and teachers, those of patients must also be safeguarded.
For this reason, the Free State of Saxony has introduced separate legal regulations for the medical faculties in Dresden and Leipzig. In addition to their own budget, they are also entitled to a separate administration in order to establish regulations for the protection of patients. This autonomy is the basis for their own Covid protection measures.
Since the vaccination rate is very high at the Faculty of Medicine and, at the same time, 3G control is easier, different priorities are set for the Corona measures within this faculty than for the rest of the university. The focus is on self-protection and protection of others during direct patient contact.
TU Dresden is striving to make on-site events and exams as safe as possible for all involved.
Therefore, proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test (3G rule) is required to access all buildings and rooms on the TU Dresden campus as well as to participate in any on-site teaching activities. This means: In line with the rules at TU Dresden, those who are not fully vaccinated and those who can’t prove that they have recovered from the virus must present a negative coronavirus test that is no more than 48 hours old. An approved coronavirus test from a test center or an antigen self-test performed on the premises of TU Dresden under supervision is sufficient.
We recommend that all TUD members take advantage of the existing offers for vaccination. In cooperation with the City of Dresden and the Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe, all members of TU Dresden can get vaccinated against Covid-19 on the campus of TU Dresden from November 8 to 20, 2021.
Supervised self-tests will also be available free of charge on campus from 11 October. Students can get tested in the the Auditorium Center (HSZ) weekdays, 7:00 am to 1:00 pm in the HSZ cloakroom. Please bring your student ID with you. The TUDtest certificate is only valid internally.
For students in the study programmes of IHI Zittau, there will (probably) also be such an offer in Zittau and Görlitz from November. The dates and location will be communicated directly to the students within IHI Zittau. Please bring your student ID with you.
Further information will be published in due course.
Until December 31, 2021, the following persons are entitled to a rapid antigen test from all test centers in Dresden, Zittau and the immediate vicinity of Tharandt for free:
- Pregnant women
- Those under the age of 18 at the time of testing
Those who received a vaccination other than those specified by the Paul Ehrlich Institute http://www.pei.de/impfstoffe/covid-19
We also recommend that all members of TUD take advantage of the vaccination offers that already exist. In cooperation with the DRK Saxony, there will be the possibility for all members of TU Dresden to get a COVID-19 vaccination directly on the campus at the beginning of the semester.
- You are obliged to have a PCR test carried out promptly by the attending physician or a test center (e.g. the test center in the “Kulturpalast“ https://www.johanniter.de/juh/lv-sn/rv-dresden/projekte/coronatest-in-dresden-und-heidenau/corona-schnelltest-in-dresden-und-heidenau/).
- You must immediately go into quarantine (even with complete vaccination). Household members must be informed and advised of a reduction in contact.
- If the PCR test returns a positive result, you must observe the rules explained under “Behavior in case of a positive test result” (https://www.dresden.de/en/city/corona_en.php).
- The result of the PCR test is considered proof. The Public Health Office does not issue this proof and does not write a separate notice.
- If the PCR test is negative, quarantine is over with immediate effect.
Proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test is required to access all buildings and rooms on the TUD campus in Dresden, Tharandt and Zittau as well as to participate in any on-site teaching activities.
In line with the rules at TU Dresden, those who are not fully vaccinated and those who can’t prove that they have recovered from the virus must present a negative Coronavirus (Covid-19) test that is no more than 48 hours old. It is sufficient to present a negative antigen self-test, which has been conducted under supervision at TUD, or a valid test from a test center, e.g. in Dresden, Zittau or in the area around Tharandt
"Self-test centers" are being established on the campus of TUD, where self-tests can be conducted under supervision and free of charge, so that students do not have to incur the financial burden themselves.
Ensuring compliance with the access rule
The basis and guidelines for ensuring compliance with the 3G access rule are checks, which are adapted to the current risk level and serve to minimize risks.
- A culture of responsibility, especially when the room occupancy is low and the 3G rule does not need to be strictly implemented
- Regular checks in selected courses
- Strict checks in high-risk settings (e.g. [laboratory] internships in normal operation)
1. Declaration: All lecturers and students who would like to attend on-site courses must submit a one-time declaration in OPAL at the beginning of the semester certifying that they understand that valid proof of their 3G status is required to enter the classrooms. The declaration promotes the perception of our community of responsibility at TUD, is anonymous and therefore has no influence on the access to on-site teaching activities.
2. Checking the 3G status: In selected courses, in accordance with the Corona Protection Ordinance, teaching staff are required to inspect the 3G status of the students on a weekly basis, as far as this is possible. These courses are selected by the respective Dean's Offices and Central Academic Units. They should cover the largest possible proportion of students in each year group. In order to allow for as much on-site attendance as possible this winter semester, which is what we are all aiming for, we expect that everyone make adherence to the 3G rule their personal responsibility, even in courses where teaching staff do not perform checks.
3. Full checks in risk settings: For internships that are being conducted normally and other courses with a high-risk potential, teaching staff must check that all participants have a valid 3G status, whereby negative coronavirus (covid-19) tests may only be a maximum of 48 hours old. In addition, it is compulsory to wear a face mask/covering during these courses.
In the interest of a uniform regulation, the 2G option model is not applied at TU Dresden.
Students who alternate between on-site and online classes are allowed to use the dining halls as lounges outside of the core lunch period from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm.
Please use headphones to participate in your online events. In the dining halls
and cafeterias, 3G rules (recovered, vaccinated, tested) and a mask requirement
apply. Masks can be removed when seated.
The following canteens and cafeterias will offer extended hours starting from now on:
- Mensa Zeltschlösschen Mon to Fri 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Alte Mensa Mon to Fri 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Mensa Reichenbachstraße Mon to Fri 8:00 am – 2:00 pm: The hall on the 2nd floor is currently not used as a dining room and can be used without having to register. Access via the main entrance
- Mensa TellerRandt Mon to Fri 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
The faculties also provide common rooms. Please take note of the corresponding notices.
The corona-related lockdown continues in many areas and is strenuous and exhausting. 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. If this is not possible, a medical mouth-nose covering must be worn. It can be removed at any time during speeches.
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.
The PC pools may be used under certain conditions. One prerequisite is This a Coronavirus safety concept, which complies with the requirements of the current Coronavirus Protection Ordinance. Lecturers and users are responsible for cleaning the surfaces used by multiple people (disinfectant wipes must be provided by PC pool users). Please note the particular requirements and services (e.g. pool-dependent voluntary self-tests, reservations or provision of disinfection utensils), which are posted on local bulletin boards or published on the internet.
Further information on infection control can be found in the concept of measures during the coronavirus pandemic for the heads of TU Dresden's structural units.
In order to avoid the spread of viruses, the recirculating air coolers in the PC pools must be switched off or blocked. The Technical Control Center of TU Dresden (ext. 34614) is responsible for the implementation. Health protection at TUD takes priority over comfort and thermal coziness.
Information regarding BAföG-aid can be found in the FAQ-box "Information by the federal gouvernment"
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) until September 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 following measures: Concept of measures incl. checklist
additional measures for research and teaching
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
Meetings and events
Events taking place at TU Dresden must comply with the current Saxon Corona Protection Ordinance
All events (such as graduation parties, student events, barbecues, academic conferences, trade fairs, cultural events or private events, whether inside or outdoors) are allowed to take place without restrictions to the number of participants, provided the following conditions are met:
- All participants must provide proof of vaccination, recovery, or a negative Covid test result (known as the ‘3G rule’ in German).
- Covid safety procedures must be in place.
- Face masks are mandatory in indoor spaces or in any space where the minimum distance of 1.5 meters between participants cannot be maintained.
- Contact tracing (e.g. electronically via the Corona-Warn-App or in paper form) must be ensured.
The respective room concepts of the interior rooms of the TU Dresden must be observed and are decisive for the permissible number of persons.
These regulations only apply if the hospital bed occupancy rate does not reach a critical level. Should the rate increase, new regulations will come into effect.
In-person events organized by external parties require approval from the University Executive Board.
Note: Please follow the normal procedures when applying for facilities for events. Occupational Health Service and Safety at work have produced a guide for a hygiene concept at events.
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:
Organisation of Comitee Meetings
Business Meetings/On-site Appointments
On-site meetings or face-to-face appointments can be held if they are indispensable for business, provided that those involved adhere to the distance requirement of 1.5 m and the other necessary hygiene measures (e.g. wearing mouth/nose protection, regular ventilation, recording contact data is recommended). Please carefully consider whether holding face-to-face meetings (and their content) are really necessary for business. In the past few months, many relevant and often time-saving virtual methods have become popular and employees have become familiar with these digital tools. These methods should continue to be used in the future. The utmost priority is still to reduce face-to-face contact.
- Occupational Health Services: gesundheitsdienst@tu-dresden.de
- Safety at Work: arbeitssicherheit@tu-dresden.de
- Legal Office: justitiariat@tu-dresden.de
The Dresden University Sports Center (DHSZ) has assembled a comprehensive sports program for the 2021/22 winter semester with both on-site and online courses in the areas of health, fitness and strength. The courses, including all the important information on times and costs, can be found on the DHSZ website.
For all on-site courses, the hygiene concept of the DHSZ must be observed: https://tu-dresden.de/dhsz/die-einrichtung/hygienekonzept.
In the interest of a uniform regulation, the 2G option model is not applied at TU Dresden.
Health and Hygiene
Please note: a negative self-test does not reliably exclude a corona infection! This means that social distancing, the wearing of masks, and compliance with hygiene and distance rules are still mandatory.
What is the current scientific evidence concerning this issue?
Especially at the beginning of an infection, the result - unlike PCR tests - is often still negative, although the person is already highly infectious. According to current findings, this affects around 40 percent of cases. Therefore, even a negatively tested and symptom-free person can infect other people.
Why are the self-tests useful anyway?
Even if not all infected persons are diagnosed, the quick tests can still be used to identify numerous (hidden and symptom-free) infections. This enables the chains of infection to be interrupted at an early stage and can prevent the further spread of the virus.
Current findings based on the Cochrane study
Testing at TU Dresden
If the 7-day incidence (average infection rate) is less than 35, members of TUD are no longer obliged to get tested. This being said, we would like to encourage you to make use of the free tests provided by the Free State of Saxony at the university (up to 2x per week). Even vaccinated and recovered individuals should get tested regularly, as new infections cannot be completely excluded.
Provision of self-tests at TU Dresden and usage
The self-tests will be distributed centrally by TU Dresden to the Heads of the Directorates, the Deans and the Heads of the Central Units. These individuals organize the further distribution to the structural units. TU Dresden's branch offices off-campus will be supplied separately.
Please always use the self-tests at home in the morning before starting work - ideally at the beginning of the working week. The goal is to prevent potentially infectious staff from coming to the workplace. The tests are to be used according to the manufacturer's instructions.
When the result is positive
If you have a positive test result, you are considered as a suspected infection case and must have a PCR test performed as soon as possible. To do so, contact your GP or family doctor or a testing center. Go into domestic isolation until you have the result of the PCR test! In case of a positive PCR test, the quarantine regulations by the public health office and the corresponding process procedures at TU Dresden apply.
Documentation
The tests will not be centrally documented and monitored. However, in the event of an inspection, employees must be able to credibly demonstrate that testing has been performed. For this purpose, the Free State of Saxony provides forms for independent documentation.
Employees who belong to a risk group or live with them should inform their supervisor immediately in order to jointly find individual solutions.
If you have tested positive for COVID-19 or have had contact with infected individuals, 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.
You have the following options to get tested:
- at licensed (resident) doctors
- at the Corona Outpatient Clinic of the University Hospital Dresden
- by appointment at pharmacies
- in the numerous test centers that are organized by Johanniter, Malteser and the DRK (German Red Cross)
- in the immediate vicinity of the TU Dresden main campus, the IHI in Zittau/Görlitz and the campus in Tharandt. The following test centers are currently located there:
TU Dresden main campus and Faculty of Medicine: https://stadtplan.dresden.de/?TH=VA_CORONA_TESTZENTREN
Görlitz: https://www.kreis-goerlitz.de/city_info/webaccessibility/index.cfm?item_id=873097&modul_id=5&record_id=155260
There is currently no test center in Tharandt. There are several locations in Freital and for commuters near Dresden's main train station. Sächsische Schweiz/Osterzgebirge: https://www.landratsamt-pirna.de/kostenlose-schnelltests-im-landkreis.html - During the week of October 4 to 8, the Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe will offer free rapid antigen tests in the Auditorium Center (HSZ) without prior appointment from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. On October 7 from 8:00 am to 12:00 am.
Please inform the Public Health Department if you have been in contact with infected individuals. Your information will be used to trace the chain of infection. Stay at home and do not get into contact with other people.
No test facilities:
- Occupational Health Services of TU Dresden
- Dresden and Leipzig/Halle airports (except when returning from international risk areas).
Note: Please keep a log (preferably in electronic format, e.g. Excel) of which places (buildings, rooms, dining halls, libraries, etc.) you visited and when, and keep this list for at least 14 days.
Possible symptoms are explained here: https://www.infektionsschutz.de/coronavirus/fragen-und-antworten/verdacht-auf-infektion-und-krankheitsverlauf.html
Anyone displaying symptoms typically associated with COVID-19 must stay at home and consult a doctor.
As a preventive measure and to facilitate the tracing of infection chains, , the following is recommended:
- 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.
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.
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 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
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.
Travels and Commuting
Please refer to the page regarding entry into the Free State of Saxony and the current Saxon Corona Protection Ordinance.
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.
The option of mobile work / digital teaching should be used as a priority for all commuters. Weekend commutes and unnecessary trips are to be avoided.
Please refer to the page regarding entry into the Free State of Saxony and the current Saxon Corona Protection Ordinance.
Differentiated safety instructions and travel warnings are in effect for individual countries. Current information from the Federal Foreign Office: https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/ReiseUndSicherheit/-/2296762
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.