Studying on site

• When accessing a building, you need a proof of the 2.5 G rule. All employees of the University of Vienna also have to adhere to the rule of being PCR-tested, vaccinated or of having recovered from an infection (2.5 G) at the workplace.
• All participants (also persons who are vaccinated or have recovered from an infection) in on-site exams must present a valid PCR test result. We take this measure since also persons who are vaccinated or have recovered from an infection can get infected with and transmit the Omicron variant.
• There will be checks. We ask for your understanding if you are checked repeatedly:
  • Therefore, please keep your proof and an identity card ready at all times when you are at the University. Make use of the “green pass” app and also bring your proof as a paper copy to be on the safe side.
  • You have to present your proof when entering the building and when you enter reading rooms, SSCs and computer rooms. Checks may also be carried out at random inside the building (e.g. in Student Spaces).
  • Additionally, teachers may check during their courses if students can provide proof of being PCR-tested or vaccinated or of having recovered from COVID-19.
  • For exams, the examiners and invigilators continue to carry out these checks before or during the exam.
• During on-site courses and exams, all persons present must wear an FFP2 face mask again. This rule also applies to giving lectures or making oral contributions to minimise the risk of infection for all persons present.
• Continue to keep your seat number record and report a COVID-19 infection via the service desk of the University if you have been on site.

“Alles gurgelt” (everybody gargle)

People living or working/studying in Vienna can take a COVID-19 PCR gargle test free of charge as part of the “Alles gurgelt (everybody gargle)” campaign.

Sample collection stations at the University of Vienna:

Samples are collected from Monday to Friday (only on working days), always at 14:00 at the relevant location.

• Main Building (main entrance), Universitätsring 1, 1010 Vienna
• Neues Institutsgebäude (NIG) (main entrance), Universitätsstrasse 7, 1010 Vienna
• Juridicum (Aula), Schottenbastei 10-16, 1010 Vienna
• Gymnasiumstrasse; Gymnasiumstrasse 50, 1190 Vienna
• UZA II (main entrance), Althanstrasse 14 (UZA II), 1090 Vienna
• Dr. Bohr Gasse 9 (main entrance), Dr. Bohrgasse 9, 1030 Vienna
• OMP 1 (Hahngasse entrance), Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1, 1090 Vienna
• University of Vienna Biology Building (UBB) (main entrance), Djerassi-Platz 1, 1030 Vienna
• Kolingasse (main entrance), Kolingasse 14-16, 1090 Vienna

"Alles gurgelt" test kits

Test kits are now available for pick-up from the porters at the following locations. A maximum of 3 test kits (per week) will be handed out to each employee or student upon presentation of an ID.

• Main Building (main entrance), Universitätsring 1, 1010 Vienna
• Neues Institutsgebäude (NIG) (main entrance U7), Universitätsstrasse 7, 1010 Vienna
• Juridicum (Aula, easily accessible from every entrance), Schottenbastei 10-16, 1010 Vienna
• Gymnasiumstrasse (entrance Gymnasiumstraße); Gymnasiumstrasse 50, 1190 Vienna
• UZA II (main entrance), Althanstrasse 14 (UZA II), 1090 Vienna
• Dr. Bohr Gasse 9 (main entrance), Dr. Bohrgasse 9, 1030 Vienna
• OMP 1 (entrance Berggasse), Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1, 1090 Vienna
• UBB (main entrance), Djerassi-Platz 1, 1030 Vienna
• Kolingasse (main entrance), Kolingasse 14-16, 1090 Vienna

COVID-19 test box:

Until the end of the year, employees and students of the University of Vienna can take an antigen or PCR test at the test box in front of the Main Building of the University of Vienna for free and without making an appointment. To take a test, please bring your e-card. Opening hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00-19:00; Saturday and Sunday, 9:00-17:00.

If you do not receive your PCR test result in due time (e.g. long waiting time), you can also present an antigen test by way of exception. This test has to be carried out by an authorised body.

Yes. The Omicron variant is highly contagious. Therefore, we take this measure to continue teaching and exam operations until the end of the semester.

There are only two exemptions:

• If it is not possible for reasons that you cannot influence (e.g. delayed delivery of a test result, no sample collection on weekends possible) to present a valid PCR test result, you can also present a valid antigen test (carried out by an authorised body) by way of exception
• • Persons who have recovered from a COVID-19 infection also have to present a PCR test result. Since persons who have recently recovered from an infection are more likely to receive a positive PCR test result, they may also present a positive PCR test result 
    • with a CT value of 30 or higher 
    •  if they have been asymptomatic for 48 hours before the exam.
  •  They have to provide evidence of their recent COVID-19 infection by presenting the relevant official proofs (e.g. official notice of the end of self-isolation; e-mail correspondence with the health authorities). The students may assess themselves if they are asymptomatic (no medical certificate necessary). If the students cannot provide any proof due to changes at short notice (because the health authorities are overburdened), the presentation of plausible evidence of their recovery from the infection suffices.

Yes. You are allowed to leave your home for education purposes (exception to the lockdown for persons who are not protected by the vaccination). When entering a university building or during courses and exams, you must present a valid PCR test result.

We continue to strongly urge persons who are not vaccinated yet to schedule a vaccination appointment as soon as possible.

Booster vaccinations increase your personal protection and also protect others.

Schedule your booster vaccination appointment: https://impfservice.wien/corona/auffrischungsrechner/

Those types of evidence that are generally accepted as official proof for areas of public life in Vienna are also accepted at the University of Vienna.

Tested

• PCR test (‘Alles gurgelt’ everybody gargle or gargle box) for persons aged 12 or older: 48 hours
• If you do not receive your PCR test result in due time (e.g. long waiting time, reasons that you cannot influence), you can also present an antigen test by way of exception. This test has to be carried out by an authorised body (e.g. pharmacy, testing station, test box in front of the Main Building, etc.). Antigen self-tests are not accepted.

Vaccinated

• For vaccines that require 2 doses: You do not have to present a negative test result if you got your 2nd vaccination dose no more than 270 days ago. The proof of vaccination is valid from the day on which you received your 2nd dose onwards. Only vaccines approved by the EMA are accepted (see below).
• For vaccines with only one required vaccination dose (Johnson & Johnson): You do not have to present a negative test result if you got your vaccination dose at least 22 days ago, but no more than 270 days ago. This rule applies until 2 January 2022. On this date, at the latest, you must have received a booster vaccination. Following an additional vaccination (booster vaccination), the proof of vaccination is valid for 360 days.
• Students who have been vaccinated with a vaccine not approved by the EMA (Sputnik V or Sinovac) have to get PCR-tested regularly. Obtain information from a doctor to find out if and when you can get vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the EMA.

Current information about vaccines

Recovered

• Persons who have recovered from a COVID-19 infection are considered as "recovered" for 180 days after recovery. An official notice for self-isolation (‘Absonderungsbescheid’) or a medical certificate are considered a valid proof.
• Persons who have recovered from a SARS-CoV-2 infection and are vaccinated once are considered as recovered/vaccinated for 360 days after the vaccination.
• Proofs of neutralising antibodies are no longer accepted as evidence in accordance with the Federal Ministry’s applicable rules. Alternatively, you have to present a PCR test result or get vaccinated.

See also information about the coronavirus / City of Vienna (in German)

A vaccination offers the best protection against COVID-19. Therefore, the University of Vienna recommends to get vaccinated.

To the vaccination offers by the City of Vienna

Calculator for booster infections by the City of Vienna

You will find information about your courses and the course formats on u:find. On u:find, you will also find the special rules for, e.g. laboratory operations. Teachers inform you about any changes directly in the course, by e-mail or via u:find.

To enable contact tracing, please keep a seat number record. It allows you to quickly reconstruct your attendance in different course/exam rooms in case of an infection.

In case of a suspected COVID-19 infection, call the hotline 1450 and stay at home.

Notify the University via the service desk for reporting COVID-19 infections if you have been on site.

If you experience typical COVID-19 symptoms (e.g. a cough, high temperature, a sore throat, etc.), stay at home and call the hotline 1450.

If you are infected with COVID-19 and have been at the University 48 hours before you experienced the symptoms or before you received a positive test result, or if you have been at the University after having had contact with an infected person, please notify the University via the service desk. 

Wearing an FFP2 face mask is mandatory in all public interior spaces of the University. During on-site courses and exams all persons present must wear an FFP2 face mask. This rule also applies to giving lectures or making oral contributions to minimise the risk of infection.

Please present a medical certificate for checks of the proof 2.5G and at courses/exams if you are exempt from wearing it for health reasons. It is recommended to send the information about the exemption by email to the instructor of the course beforehand.

If you are not able to attend a course or exam for health reasons (member of a group at increased risk, etc.), contact the lecturer or the examiner so that they can check whether a digital format can be provided.

University buildings can be accessed within the opening hours (Monday to Friday, 6:00-22:00, Saturday, 7:00-19:00) subject to the general hygiene rules and rules of conduct.

On 7 January 2022, the University decides whether the reading rooms of the Vienna University Library and Student Spaces are opened again after 9 January 2022.

Please visit the Vienna University Library website.

Please note the information provided on the website "Risk groups, quarantine, entry restriction". Please contact your teachers in due time, who will adapt their courses/exams accordingly.

The Accessible Studying Team answers your questions and supports you in finding a solution.

Subscribe to the newsletter of the Accessible Studying Team

Up-to-date information is available on the websites:

• Uniport
• Postgraduate Center
• Language Centre
• University Sport Institute (USI)

(22 September 2020)

Various websites provide information about this viral disease and about how you can protect yourself:

• Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (hotline available 24-7: 0800 555 621)
• City of Vienna
• Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health and Consumer Protection
• Austrian Medical Chamber (in German)
• World Health Organization

Obtain information about the current situation from reliable media. Be critical of allegations and rumours that are not based on reliable primary sources. The information overload ranging from factual to fake information causes unnecessary stress. Avoid misinformation and reduce your social media use.

Please inform your teachers in due time if you need sign language interpreters or personal assistance in the course. This allows teachers to consider your needs when planning their courses.

Subscribe to the newsletter of the Accessible Studying Team

Version: 10 June 2021

Up-to-date information is available on the website “Risk groups, quarantine, entry restriction”

(3 November 2020)

Please contact your teachers immediately or send an e-mail to your StudiesServiceCenter (SSC). Briefly describe the issue in a comprehensible way. Your questions will be answered. If you cannot participate on site due to the new regulations (use of FFP2 face masks no longer mandatory), you can de-register from courses/exams also at short notice by contacting the lecturers or examiners.

These questions are answered on the FAQ website of the International Office of the University of Vienna.