Studying on site

• The rule of being PCR-tested, or vaccinated or of having recovered (2.5 G rule) applies to on-site course and exams as well as to Student Spaces. 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.
•  In addition, persons present during on-site courses and exams have to additionally present a PCR test result. This also applies to persons who are vaccinated or have recovered from a COVID-19 infection.
  • 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.
  • Persons who have recovered from a COVID-19 infection do not have to present a negative test result for 90 days after recovery. An official notice for self-isolation (‘Absonderungsbescheid’) or a medical certificate are considered a valid proof.
• 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 courses and exams, the use of FFP2 face masks is again mandatory (except for people lecturing or oral contributions by participants). In addition, wearing an FFP2 face mask is mandatory in all public interior spaces of the University (entrance areas and corridors, Student Spaces, SSCs, etc.).
• 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.

The interaction between teachers and students as well as among students is of utmost importance to the University. Courses and exams will take place on site to a large extent again in the winter semester of 2021/2022. We are delighted to welcome you back to the University of Vienna. Depending on the situation (e.g. due to a lockdown), there might be short-term changes. We hope for your understanding and flexibility.

Different measures will be taken to provide a safe environment in courses. These measures will be announced via e-mail and on this website.

To give you planning security, courses that were planned to be held in a purely digital format will not be changed to take place on site.

Due to the current situation, it cannot be ruled out that persons who are vaccinated or have recovered from a COVID-19 infection also contract and spread the virus. Therefore, this additional safety measure has been introduced for the duration of the lockdown to protect you and others involved in courses and exams. We hope for your understanding for this measure.

Persons who have recovered from a COVID-19 infection do not have to present a negative test result for 90 days after recovery. An official notice for self-isolation (‘Absonderungsbescheid’) or a medical certificate are considered a valid proof.

The University recommends all persons to get PCR-tested regularly. 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/ (in German)

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.

“Alles gurgelt” (everybody gargle)

People living or working 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, always at 14:00 (only on working days).

• 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

Testing offers in Vienna and Lower Austria

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.

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.

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

Tested

• PCR test (‘Alles gurgelt’ everybody gargle or gargle box) for persons under the age of 12: 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. 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 360 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.
• Students with non-EMA-approved vaccinations (Sputnik V or Sinovac) have to do regular PCR tests. Contact your doctor to find out whether and when you can be vaccinated with an EMA approved vaccine.

 Current information about approved vaccines (in German)

Recovered

• Persons who have recovered from a COVID-19 infection do not have to present a negative test result for 90 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 do not have to present a negative test result for 270 days following the vaccination date.
• Antibody detection tests are not accepted due to the requirements of the federal government. Alternatively, you have to show a PCR test or you may 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 strongly recommends to get vaccinated.

To the vaccination offers by the City of Vienna

To the vaccination booster calculator by the City of Vienna (in German)

Mandatory use of FFP2 face masks in all public interior spaces of the University.  Persons lecturing and participants making oral contributions are exempt from this rule.

For the duration of the lockdown from 22 November until 12 December 2021, the reading rooms of the Vienna University Library and the computer rooms are closed. However, the Student Spaces can be used. You can use the Student Spaces for breaks between on-site courses. In the Student Spaces, the mandatory use of FFP2 face masks and the rule of being PCR-tested, or vaccinated or of having recovered (2.5 G rule) applies. You have to register for the Student Spaces (QR code in the entrance area). Do not forget to take a PCR test, if you attend on-site courses and exams.

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.

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. 

The relevant course description on u:find specifies in what form the individual courses will be held (on site, digital).

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 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

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.