COVID-19: Updated regulations from 22 November 2021

19. November 2021
Dear university members,
 
In view of the massive incidence of infection in Austria, the very serious situation in the hospitals and the measures announced by the federal government to contain the coronavirus, we see ourselves forced to temporarily reduce university operations and thus contacts on site even further and to adapt our mode of operation to the current situation. 
The following changes will therefore apply to Angewandte from Monday 22.11.2021 for the duration of the lockdown imposed by the federal government:
 
General FFP2 mask obligation
 
Students, staff and guests are required to wear FFP2 masks in all indoor rooms. This also applies explicitly to all teaching events and working in studios. The FFP2 mask must be worn especially when speaking. 
 
Teaching
 
Artistic teaching as well as working in the studios remain in attendance. However, individual units can also be held online at the discretion of each department. 
Scientific courses are always held in online mode. If this is not possible/meaningful for content-related reasons, on-site teaching is permissible in consultation with the respective head of department. 
 
In any case, please ensure that entries in the base are up-to-date!
 
Meetings
 
Meetings should be held digitally as far as possible.
 
Home office in planning, service and administration as well as in teaching and research
 
Staff in planning, service and administration as well as in teaching and research should, if possible, transfer their office work to a home office. In addition to the existing home office regulation according to the company agreement, further home office days can be agreed with the heads of department. In any case, care must be taken to ensure that teaching, research and general university operations are maintained without restriction. 
 
Events
 
On-site events are not possible.
 
Mensa/Cafeteria/Tea Kitchens
 
A pick-up service will be provided in the mensa at OKP and the cafeteria in VZA; staying and consuming on site is not permitted.
All tea kitchens will remain open for preparation purposes with a short stay.
 
AIL and Heiligenkreuzerhof
 
The exhibition rooms of the AIL and the University Gallery in the Heiligenkreuzerhof will be closed in analogy to the nationwide regulations for art halls and museums.
 
Urgent recommendations 
 
Since even vaccinated persons can contract the coronavirus and pass on the infection, albeit with a significantly lower risk, we would like to once again urgently recommend that all university members - vaccinated or not - be tested at least twice a week using the PCR tests.
„Alles gurgelt" PCR test kits are available for free collection at the porter's lodge and can be handed in at the drop-off boxes provided next to the main entrances. The boxes are emptied on weekdays between 2 and 5 pm.
 
The high vaccination rate at the Angewandte has already helped us a great deal in maintaining operations this semester, so we recommend the first, second or, above all, the third vaccination, depending on your personal history! Information about the numerous vaccination possibilities in Vienna can be found here: https://impfservice.wien/en/.
 
 
In case of illness or if you have had contact with a person infected with Covid, we ask you to immediately contact the Covid staff unit (covid@uni-ak.ac.at). They will inform you about the further procedure. 
 
 
Even if we all feel a certain frustration in view of the developments and the very hesitant measures taken nationwide, we are nevertheless glad that even in this phase a university operation worthy of its name - albeit with restrictions - remains possible.
 
All the best for these difficult times, and stay healthy!
Gerald Bast, Bernhard Kernegger, Barbara Putz-Plecko, Eva Maria Stadler und Maria Zettler
 
Rectorate