COVID-19 Update: Digital first in the summer semester 2021!

The motto for the summer semester 2021 is still “digital first”. Online teaching will continue. Individual face-to-face teaching is possible, and from May 19 students have to be tested, recovered or vaccinated. For the winter semester 2021/2022, we will take all measures to offer face-to-face teaching – practical and project-oriented – again. We look forward to welcoming you in person at FH JOANNEUM as soon as possible!

Although we have been successfully implementing and living with our COVID-19 measures for months now, for the benefit of our students, we would like to again summarise the rules which will continue to apply. From May 19, 2021, the following measures will apply until further notice:

Admission and conduct

Students and staff may only enter the buildings one at a time upon presentation of a valid student ID card or employee ID card.

The following rules continue to apply on the FH JOANNEUM premises: maintain a minimum distance of one meter, wear an FFP2 mask, adhere to the hygiene rules and avoid gathering in groups, including in open spaces like balconies, smoking areas and in front of the buildings.
Use hand sanitiser when entering the building. Follow coughing and sneezing etiquette and maintain good hand hygiene. If you feel unwell, stay at home. We can only protect each other if we work together.

Students must wear an FFP2 mask on the FH JOANNEUM premises until further notice. The following rules apply: FFP2 masks are mandatory on the entire FH JOANNEUM premises, including in lecture halls, labs, workshops, corridors, foyers, lifts, toilets, libraries, and social and learning areas. Students are required to bring an FFP2 mask with them.

The cafeterias on all three campuses are closed until further notice.

Rule: tested, recovered or vaccinated

To further increase the level of security for absolutely required courses or exams that cannot be substituted online, all students must meet one of the following requirements prior to the start of a face-to-face course:

Tested negative prior to the start of a face-to-face course by:

• a negative self-test recorded in an official state data processing system (not older than 24 hours)
• a negative antigen test (not older than 48 hours)
• a negative PCR test (not older than 72 hours)

For recovered people:

• a written proof of a survived COVID-19 disease within the last six months (medical confirmation or segregation notice due to a disease; the date of the confirmation/notice is valid)
• a written proof of antibodies no more than three months old

For vaccinated people:

• a proof based on the vaccination passport (electronic or paper) or after the introduction of the “green passport” of a performed COVID-19 first vaccination (valid from the 22nd day after the first vaccination for 3 months from the first vaccination)
• a proof on the basis of the vaccination passport (electronically or in paper form) or after the introduction of the “green passport” about a performed COVID-19 second vaccination (valid for 9 months from the first vaccination)
• a proof based on the vaccination passport (electronic or paper) or after the introduction of the “green passport” about a performed COVID-19 vaccination for vaccines where only one vaccination (currently Johnson&Johnson) is foreseen (valid from the 22nd day after vaccination for 9 months from vaccination)
• a proof based on the vaccination passport (electronic or paper) or after the introduction of the “green passport” about a performed COVID-19 vaccination, provided that there was a positive PCR test at least 21 days before the vaccination or an antibody detection before the vaccination (valid for 9 months from vaccination)

Test center at FH JOANNEUM

Starting Tuesday, May 18, 2021, there will be a test center at FH JOANNEUM. In the cafeteria (Eggenberger Allee 11) at the campus in Graz, free antigen self-tests will be available in cooperation with the city of Graz.
The test center is open from Monday to Friday from 7:00 to 19:00. Registration is via Österreich testet or telephone +43 800 220330. However, it is possible to be tested without registration, but this could lead to longer waiting times.

The offer for an observed antigen self-test is open to all students, staff and the public. You will need to bring an e-card, photo ID, a registration confirmation and an FFP2 mask. International employees and international students without an e-Card can also be tested, instructions can be found here.

More info about the test center here.

Teaching

As before, the principle of ‘digital first’ applies wherever online teaching is possible and appropriate. Any classes, practical sessions and exams which cannot take place online can be held in person in accordance with FH JOANNEUM’s stringent hygiene and safety measures. This includes lab exercises, workshop practicals and practical units in health studies.
Students have to be tested, recovered or vaccinated when attenting a course. Wearing a FFP2 mask during the course is mandatory and students have to clean the equipment (tables, keyboards, therapy equipment …) after using it.

Excursions are not permitted until further notice.

Vocational internships are carried out as usual – to the extent permitted by the latest developments in the COVID-19 situation. If planned internships are unable to go ahead, a suitable alternative solution will be agreed with the relevant head of degree programme.

Exams

Your degree programme will provide details about the holding of exams. Students have to be tested, recovered or vaccinated when taking an exam. Wearing a FFP2 mask during the exam is mandatory and students have to clean the equipment (tables, keyboards, therapy equipment …) after using it.

Library

The libraries will maintain a contactless service: students can collect pre-ordered media from the libraries in Bad Gleichenberg, Graz WEST (Eggenberg) and Kapfenberg. The online scanning service is also available for obtaining literature. Please use the returns box provided to return items. The reading rooms in the libraries are closed until further notice. More information can be found here.

Graduations

Based on the current outlook, we unfortunately have to assume that graduations will not be able to take place in the usual way during the summer semester. However, circumstances permitting, we are planning to hold graduation ceremonies in the form of hybrid events involving an official ceremony for graduates and an online stream for relatives.

Events

No events are taking place at present. Many events are being offered online; more information can be found under “Events” on the website.

Procedure in the event of suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19

All suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 among students, employees or lecturers must be reported.

The FH JOANNEUM task force has devised detailed processes for reporting suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19. See here for details of the procedure for handling suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19. Please read this document carefully so that you know exactly what to do, if required!

IMPORTANT: All suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 must be reported, in spite of the requirement for online teaching and home working. Please report all suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 via our online reporting tool!

What to do in the event of a suspected case of COVID-19:

• Stay at home as soon as COVID-19 symptoms emerge (fever, cough, sore throat, breathing difficulties, shortness of breath, catarrh or inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, sudden loss of taste/smell) or if you have had contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
• Contact the health hotline (tel. 1450) immediately and follow their instructions.
• Inform us and your head of degree programme immediately and provide all relevant details and contacts using the online reporting tool.
• All further steps will be handled by FH JOANNEUM, in consultation with the health authorities.

When is a case classed as suspected COVID-19?

• With the emergence of COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, catarrh of the upper respiratory tract, sudden loss of taste/smell).
• After coming into contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, even if you are not displaying any of the typical symptoms.
• In the case of developing other non-COVID symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhoea, the following additional criteria apply:
• Following return from areas with a high level of the virus or previous contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19.

If you develop symptoms of COVID-19 while on the premises of FH JOANNEUM:

• Isolate yourself, put on a face mask and call the health hotline immediately (tel. 1450).
• Inform us and your head of degree programme immediately and provide all relevant details and contacts using the online reporting tool.
• All further steps will be handled by FH JOANNEUM, in consultation with the health authorities.

Our entire COVID-19 team will personally guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have at the central reporting address info_covid19@fh-joanneum.at.