Dear colleagues,
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to grip the country, incidence rates in the Hannover region have been high for months. The enactment of the fourth law to protect the population during a pandemic at national level ("Viertes Gesetz zum Schutz der Bevölkerung bei einer epidemischen Lage von nationaler Tragweite", "Notbremse") is intended to contain the virus and reduce the number of infections. The German Rectors'' Conference (HRK) has made active contributions to the debate over this law, severely criticising the unsuitable arrangements for teaching and learning in higher education. Forbidding all on-campus learning formats without exception if the incidence rate exceeds 165 will affect a significant number of students and have a negative impact on the success and length of their studies. With this law, the few practical elements currently available in teaching and learning, such as laboratory work and practical training periods, as well as access to university library material, will be prohibited. Regardless of the excellent hygiene measures implemented in higher education or the fact that higher education institutions have always fulfilled their duty to ensure the well-being of students and staff.
Nevertheless, I am obliged to inform you of some updates regarding the situation at our university:
Coronavirus tests for practical laboratory courses, practical sessions and field trips
The Presidential Board and the emergency committee of LUH have decided that students must provide a negative coronavirus test result in order to participate in practical laboratory courses, other practical sessions and field trips, effective immediately. For the time being, students should make use of the free tests for citizens ("Bürgertest"). Moreover, the faculties are asked to provide test capacities in the form of self-test kits. Prospectively, this will be possible from 1 May.
For example, a test centre has been established at Café Extrablatt (Königsworther Platz). Further information regarding testing can be found here:
- https://www.hannover-entdecken.de/corona-testzentren-hannover/
- https://www.arztauskunft-niedersachsen.de/ases-kvn/
- https://www.mein-apothekenmanager.de/covid-19-schnelltest-suche
A form template, which can be used to declare that a negative test result has been obtained, is available in FAQ section 2.4 on the coronavirus pandemic. Moreover, proof of a negative test result may be provided via a smartphone. Student IDs or identity cards (including a photograph) are recognised as an additional form of authorisation. The test result must have been obtained within the past 24 hours.
On-campus learning
If the seven-day-incidence-rate for the Hannover region exceeds 165 over a period of three days, on-campus learning at LUH is no longer permitted and must be suspended two days after this period. This includes student laboratory work, practical sessions and field trips. Theses and examinations are not affected. (see Bundesgesetzblatt; see justification, section 28b paragraph 3 "Bildungseinrichtungen", last sentence)
Measures will be implemented in accordance with the figures published on the website of the Hannover region. University management will observe the incidence rates but asks all members of teaching staff to inform themselves proactively. University management will make an announcement on the website and via email if on-campus learning must be suspended or when on-campus learning can be resumed.
Coronavirus self-test kits for members of staff
Coronavirus self-test kits are procured via the central administrative department. Meanwhile, procedures for distributing these test kits among faculties and facilities work quite well. Two tests per week are available for members of staff unable to work from home and required to work on campus at least twice per week. One test is available for members of staff unable to work from home and required to work on campus once per week.
I would like to thank all those involved for their unbroken and outstanding commitment, as well as for their flexibility and proactive approaches in dealing with this significant challenge.
Yours sincerely,
Prof. Dr. Volker Epping
President
