Hygiene and Infectious Disease Concept

General information

The University’s updated Hygiene and Infectious Disease Concept is based on current infection levels and Saxony’s coronavirus legislation (SächsCoronaSchVO),¹ the Protection Against Infection Act (IfSG),² and the COVID-19 Protective Measures Derogation (SchAusnahmV).³ The University recommends using the Corona-Warn-App.⁴

The Hygiene and Infectious Disease Concept is a general framework for Leipzig University and subject to the Staff Council’s right of co-determination. More detailed hygiene concepts at the faculties and Central Institutions (e.g. for the use of the University Library) are to be drawn up by the individual institutions/faculties themselves. If, compared to the Hygiene and Infectious Disease Concept for the entire University, these additional concepts define more far-reaching measures for members of staff, then in order for them to be valid for members of staff, the faculties and Central Institutions must also present these concepts to the Staff Council, via the Head of Administration and Finance, in a separate co-determination procedure. Technical protective measures take priority over organisational measures, and organisational measures over personal measures. Deviations or compensatory measures must be determined by means of a risk assessment initiated by the person in charge. Advice on this is available from the occupational safety specialists at the Office for Environmental Protection and Occupational Safety and from the staff medical officers at the Mitteldeutsches Institut für Arbeitsmedizin (MIA).

The person responsible for hygiene at the University is Rector Professor Eva Inés Obergfell.

Validity

The updated Hygiene and Infectious Disease Concept applies to all staff and students of the University as well as to guests, visitors and employees of external companies working at the University, and is subject to the Staff Council’s right of co-determination under the Saxon Staff Representation Act (SächsPersVG). Separate regulations and responsibilities apply additionally to the Faculty of Medicine, whereby the special regulations of Leipzig University Hospital must be observed.

The hygiene concept shall enter into force upon publication and be valid until 31 May 2023. The University reserves the right to adapt this hygiene concept based on recommendations by the Staff Council or due to new regulations imposed by the Free State of Saxony.

Regulations on hygiene and preventing infections

In order to prevent the spread of coronavirus and other infectious diseases, the Rectorate and the crisis management team, in consultation with the Staff Council, advise members of the University community to observe the general hygiene rules (known in German as “AHACL”):

• D: Keeping a distance
  • It is recommended to keep at least 1.5 metres away from other people wherever possible.
• H: Paying attention to hygiene
  • Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly. Cough and sneeze into the crook of your arm.
• M: Wearing a mask in everyday situations
  • Medical face masks or respirators are recommended wherever it is not possible to maintain the minimum distance.
• C: Corona-Warn-App
  • The University recommends using the Federal Government’s Corona-Warn-App to facilitate contact tracing in the event of an infection.
• A: Airing
  • If in use, rooms must be aired sufficiently and regularly, even when it is cold outside.

In order to minimise the risk of coronavirus transmission, the following regulations must be observed at Leipzig University:

a) Medical face masks and respirators

• In University buildings, in particular in libraries and rooms used for teaching purposes, wearing medical face masks (surgical masks), or higher-quality respirators (KN95, FFP masks) without exhalation valves, is still recommended.
• Medical face masks (surgical masks) or higher-quality respirators (KN95, FFP masks) without exhalation valves are mandatory at the University’s outpatient clinics.
• Persons who can credibly demonstrate that it is impossible or unreasonable for them to wear the prescribed mask due to a disability or for health reasons are exempt from the obligation to wear one. This will require an original medical certificate that a mask cannot be worn due to a health impairment, a chronic illness or a disability.

b) Access rules for buildings and facilities

• People with acute respiratory diseases and symptoms of illness are asked to stay at home or to exit Leipzig University’s buildings, rooms and premises, and to consult a doctor in order to prevent the potential infection of other people. This does not apply if the symptoms mentioned have other known causes, such as chronic diseases or allergies. Symptoms may include:
  • Fever
  • Headache and aching limbs
  • Loss of sense of smell or taste
  • Gastrointestinal problems.

• Notices displayed in the entrance areas of University buildings will draw attention to the general hygiene rules and social distancing recommendations. 
• The Department of Construction and Technical Services is responsible for the distribution and removal of posters with the hygiene rules, and hand sanitiser dispensers, in the relevant entrance areas.
• The persons responsible under the University’s House Rules have the authority to grant and deny access to University premises.

c) Social distancing rules

• Basic rule: social distancing is recommended, with people keeping approximately 1.5 metres away from others.
• Where it is not possible to maintain this minimum distance, alternative protective measures may be taken. Here, technical solutions (such as partition walls) take priority over organisational and personal protective measures.
• The individual facilities are responsible for the procurement and use of technical protective measures.
• It is recommended that all occupants, with the exception of the driver, wear respirators (FFP2) when sharing vehicles for work purposes.

d) Rules on using rooms

• Enclosed rooms which do not have ventilation systems must be aired thoroughly and frequently, as fresh air helps to quickly dilute infectious aerosols. Ideally, windows and doors should be opened wide for three minutes in winter, five minutes in spring/autumn, and ten minutes in summer. Airing intervals must be adapted to the number of persons. As a rule, rooms should be aired every 20 minutes.
• In rooms with ventilation systems, the ventilation systems are programmed to ensure a sufficient supply of fresh air.
• Devices which cause air to circulate (e.g. fans, fan heaters) may only be used in rooms used by one person. This is because the circulating air contributes to the distribution of aerosols in the room, but no fresh air is supplied to lower the aerosol concentration.
• People should not share work equipment if possible.

e) Personal protective measures

• Compliance with the general “AHACL” hygiene rules (see point 3)
• The relevant superiors are responsible for instructing employees about the hygiene measures taken and how they are to be implemented.

f) Occupational health precautions and protecting the particularly vulnerable

• For members of staff with a higher risk of serious illness (if known), individual protective measures must be provided for in the risk assessment.
• These members of staff will be offered consultations on occupational health precautions from the staff medical officers at the Mitteldeutsches Institut für Arbeitsmedizin (MIA), for example on special health risks due to a previous illness or existing condition. Advice is also available over the phone or by email. If necessary, individual protective measures should be examined and determined together with the staff medical officers and the person’s superior, in particular for employees belonging to high-risk groups.
• The employee should register these occupational health precautions as an optional consultation with the responsible HR administrator.
• Advice and the preparation of a risk assessment to identify measures for employees who are pregnant and/or breastfeeding is provided by the Office for Environmental Protection and Occupational Safety on an individual and workplace-related basis, by telephone or on site. To enable the best possible protection, the member of staff must inform their responsible HR administrator in good time of their pregnancy.
• The individual Study Offices (or, in the case of the Faculty of Medicine, the “Referat Lehre”) advise pregnant students.

g) Measures in confirmed and suspected cases of illness, FAQs

The University has published FAQs for staff and students with information about how to deal with COVID-19. The information for employees is available online:

• FAQs for staff
• FAQs for students

Further Information

All faculties, Central Institutions, institutes including affiliated institutes, working groups, administrative areas and all other facilities under the jurisdiction of Leipzig University must observe and implement the regulations on hygiene and preventing infections. Superiors are responsible for ensuring compliance with hygiene measures. In the event of violations, the head of the facility must be informed. The head may initiate further measures in consultation with the Rector or a delegated member of the Rectorate.

Questions about this Hygiene and Infectious Disease Concept can be submitted by email to the following address: umwelt(at)uni-leipzig.de.

Professor Eva Inés Obergfell
Rector

Links

¹ Verordnung des Sächsischen Staatsministeriums für Soziales und Gesellschaftlichen Zusammenhalt zum Schutz vor dem Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 und COVID-19 (SächsCoronaSchVO)

² Protection Against Infection Act (IfSG)

³ COVID-19 Protective Measures Derogation (SchAusnahmV)

⁴ Corona-Warn-App

General information

This Hygiene and Infectious Disease Concept is based on the requirements of the Maternity Protection Act (MuSchG),¹ the SARS-CoV-2 Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance (Corona-ArbSchV),² the fact sheet of the occupational health and safety authority of the Free State of Saxony³ and the recommendations for risk assessments under maternity protection considerations due to SARS-CoV-2.⁴ Reference is also made to the recommendations on model risk assessment for protection against the spread of pathogens and the maintenance of interim operation at universities,⁵ valid for coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (coronavirus pandemic).

It supplements Leipzig University’s Hygiene and Infectious Disease Concept.

Leipzig University’s occupational safety specialists developed this Hygiene and Infectious Disease Concept based on the aforementioned specifications, and in consultation with the staff medical officers at the Mitteldeutsches Institut für Arbeitsmedizin (MIA) and representatives of the Saxony state directorate as the supervising authority. The aim is to prevent reckless exposure to COVID-19 in teaching situations, but to allow students to continue their studies. The concept includes protective measures as well as guidance on how to achieve these goals.

Validity

The concept applies to participation in all teaching and examinations at Leipzig University.

It shall enter into force upon publication and be valid for the winter semester 2022/23. We reserve the right to make adjustments based on recommendations under new regulations of the Free State of Saxony, or from the Maternity Protection Committee (AfMu) or the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

Measures

a) General measures and guidance

• To enable the best possible protection, the individual Study Office (or, in the case of the Faculty of Medicine, the “Referat Lehre”) must be notified of the pregnancy in good time.
• Pregnant students will be offered a telephone consultation with the staff medical officers of the Mitteldeutsches Institut für Arbeitsmedizin (MIA), in order to provide them with information and advice on risks and protective measures to be taken in teaching situations. They can book a telephone appointment directly with the MIA (see below for contact details).
• Pregnant students are advised to avoid crowds in highly frequented, confined areas, such as lecture hall entrances. They should also avoid direct contact with many different people without an appropriate face mask.
• In rooms used for teaching purposes, the risk of infection is lowest when seated near the edges and next to as few students as possible. Pregnant students are advised to sit at the edges where possible. Other students present must take this requirement into account.
• If possible, students must also observe the social distancing requirements in rooms used for teaching purposes.
• When possible, pregnant students should be offered digital/hybrid alternatives or additional formats. The student should discuss the available options directly with the respective teachers.
• It is also recommended that pregnant students wear an FFP2 mask, provided they are comfortable with this. Breaks should be taken after about 90 minutes.
• Pregnant students must be allowed to take a break during teaching if they require a break from wearing their mask. As a rule, this must not be to the student’s detriment.

b) Seminar rooms and lecture halls

• Medical face masks (surgical masks) or higher-quality respirators (KN95, FFP2 masks) are mandatory for all participants. Using higher-quality respirators (KN95, FFP2 mask) without exhalation valves is explicitly also recommended for pregnant students, as these offer significantly better protection.
• Rooms without automatic ventilation must be adequately aired by opening the windows.

c) Laboratories, workshops and practical courses (Praktika)

• In addition to subject-specific risks, risk assessments must also specify the necessary protective measures for pregnant students.
• Participation in Practical School Experience (SPS) on teacher training degree programmes is not possible.
• Individual guidance on protective measures is available from the Office for Environmental Protection and Occupational Safety (see below for contact details).

d) Practical sports activities

• Risk assessments must specify the necessary protective measures for pregnant students, or the permissible sports activities.
• For permitted indoor sports activities, it must be ensured that the minimum distance of 1.5 metres can be maintained.

e) Bedside teaching (Faculty of Medicine only)

• In addition to subject-specific risks, risk assessments must also specify the necessary protective measures for pregnant students.
• There must be fixed groups. The groups may not be mixed. If a pregnant student is participating, the group size may not exceed a maximum of six students. The pregnant student should consult the respective teachers on this matter.
• If there is a pregnant student in the group, then the entire group, including the instructor and patients, must self-test for COVID-19 on a daily basis. The pregnant student should discuss this with the respective teachers.
• Bedside teaching on wards with patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 is not permitted.
• FFP2 masks are mandatory for the entire group including the pregnant student.
• Bedside teaching must be arranged for the pregnant student in such a manner as to minimise time spent at the bedside.

Links

¹ Act on the Protection of Mothers at Work, in Training and at University (MuSchG)

² SARS-CoV-2 Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance (Corona-ArbSchV)

³ Fact sheet of the occupational health and safety authority of the Free State of Saxony: Information about maternity protection in connection with coronavirus SARS-CoV-2

⁴ Recommendations for risk assessments under maternity protection considerations due to SARS-CoV-2

⁵ Model risk assessment for protection against the spread of pathogens and the maintenance of interim operations at university, valid for coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (coronavirus pandemic).

Contact details

Mitteldeutsches Institut für Arbeitsmedizin

Phone: +49 341 993848-00

Send email (General)
Send email (Students)

Office for Environmental Protection and Occupational Safety

Phone: +49 341 97-30360

Send email