General information about Corona

Covid rapid tests can further reduce the risk of infection as part of a testing concept. This is why the coronavirus crisis team is currently developing a concept for the use of Covid rapid tests at RUB in certain scenarios. This concept will be discussed and decided upon by the RUB Rectorate in the near future.

The concept incorporates the plans from the faculties and the central Teaching Task Force for the coming summer semester 2021. A market exploration with regard to the self-tests that will soon be available will define the concept in more detail: which tests are actually available in what quantities? Whether and to what extent the rapid tests will then be performed in the individual organisational units at RUB has not yet been determined. RUB will provide information about the precise regulations in good time. Working for home for employees and online teaching are anticipated to remain the norm until the end of March.

From 1 July 2020, people in all public areas within the RUB buildings had to wear mouth and nose covers. Corresponding signs at the building entrances point this out.

From 30 October 2020, masks are mandatory on the entire campus, including outdoors. A mouth-and-nose mask must be worn on all routes inside the buildings and in communal facilities (toilets, tea kitchens, etc.).

On 25 January 2021, the mask requirement on campus has been adjusted. The new rules are effective until 15 March 15 2021 for the time being. As is the case everywhere else in Germany, cloth masks or scarves may no longer be worn on the RUB campus, but only the so-called surgical face masks and FFP-2 masks. For RUB members who need to work on campus, RUB provides appropriate face masks. Everything else on this topic, including the distribution of face masks, can be found in the Serviceportal.

Due to the current lockdown rules, the Mensa has to remain closed at least until 7 March, 2021. Information about to-go offers of the Akafö can be found on the Akafö website.

During the lockdown, products of RUB Unishop cannot be purchased at the Infopoint in central administrations (Building UV). Please use the Onlineshop instead.

No, the Botanical Garden will remain closed to visitors until at least 7 March 2021. Further details can be found on the website of the garden.

Compared to March 2020, RUB has learned a lot and has a better idea as to how the university’s operations can be maintained with the greatest possible infection protection. The Rectorate, however, urges all supervisors in academia and administration to allow their employees to work from home wherever possible.

There will be no sports courses in attendance in November 2020. The university sports team offers digital alternatives.

By covering the mouth and nose, infectious droplets that are emitted when speaking, coughing or sneezing can be intercepted. According to a recent study, the risk of Covid-19 infection can be reduced by up to 70 percent if the contact persons wear a face mask. However, this does not apply to respiratory masks with an exhalation valve, as here the exhaled air passes through the valve unfiltered and even strikes other people in a direct jet. Therefore, to avoid Covid 19 infections, respirators with an exhalation valve are not suitable and should not be worn. Further information in the Serviceportal.

According to the Corona Protection Ordinance of the State of NRW, RUB is responsible for documenting all contacts in its buildings so that the public health department can identify all contact persons of the infected person(s) in the event of a Covid-19 infection. Therefore, it is currently not possible to use public seating areas in the RUB buildings to study or revise. However, we are developing concepts to ensure that some areas on campus may be used for this purpose. Please note that people are still not permitted to gather in corridors and public areas, as they can’t be reliably traced! Students need a good reason to enter the RUB buildings (e.g. to attend in-person classes, exams, library appointments, appointments with advisors/supervisors). For all courses, meetings etc., the person responsible resp. the organiser must ensure that all contacts are documented. Further information.

As of 1 August 2020, RUB will introduce operations under Covid-19 conditions: in order to effectively protect RUB members and visitors against infection, the curriculum in the winter semester 2020/21 will be for the most part digital; at the same time, this will enable us to gradually return back to normal at work, even as it’s impossible to say how long the pandemic will last.

Covid-19 operations will remain in effect until the university management announces a new phase. These rules will probably apply until the end of the 2020/2021 winter semester, i.e. until 31 March 2021, to the extent that the epidemiological development and official policies will allow.

The aim is to

• promote socialising in the workplace and avoid potential social isolation when working from home;
• optimise work organisation and processes under the current conditions.

From 1 July 2020, most of the buildings will again be accessible via all entrances and within the usual building-specific opening hours. Details can be found in the "Serviceportal".

LWL-Universitätsklinikum Bochum has opened a hotline for Bochum citizens to help them overcome mental-health crises. The Corona hotline is available Monday to Friday between 8 am and 4 pm under 0234 50774567.

Moreover, the RUB Mental Health Research and Treatment Center offers an anonymous hotline for RUB members and citizens of Bochum who suffer from mental stress or family stress due to the current corona crisis.

• For adults: Monday to Friday, 6pm to 8pm, Hotline: 0234 3221100

• For children, adolescents and parents: Monday to Friday, 4pm to 6pm, Hotline: 0234 3221101

RUB has set up a crisis management team. It coordinates with the relevant authorities what measures need to be taken. The university management, the student and staff administration, the company medical office, the occupational safety unit and the corporate communications department are represented in the crisis committee.