CAU’s Hygiene Conceptual Framework published

Dear employees and members of the university,

due to the corona pandemic, the on-campus activities at the university have been severely restricted since March. Fortunately, some restrictions can be eased in accordance with the requirements of infection control. For example, the decree of the Ministry of Health, which has been applied on May 18, 2020, no longer demands fundamental closures and bans on university operations, but obliges the universities to set up hygiene concepts.

In order to support the members and institutions of the university on this matter, the University Board has set up a CAU Hygiene Conceptual Framework, which is published on the Corona website www.uni-kiel.de/en/coronavirus. It describes the hygiene principles and (work) safety measures applicable to the entire university operation in teaching/studying, research and administration, as well as to all CAU facilities. Special hygiene and safety measures apply to certain teaching, examination or event formats and special areas of the CAU, for example those with increased public traffic.

Overview of the contents of the Conceptual Framework:

• Hygiene principles
• Hygiene concepts for examinations and teaching
• Hygiene concepts for libraries
• Research and administration, events, self-governance
• Requirements for special areas and institutions at the CAU
• Templates, handouts and guidelines
• Reduce the risk of contagion

Individual hygiene concepts must be drawn up for every single attendance event or opening of a facility, in accordance with the requirements of the state. Based on the Hygiene Conceptual Framework, various sample templates are available for this purpose. With the help of these templates you can meet the requirements of individual hygiene concepts. The Facility Management website lists the services offered in connection with the implementation of the hygiene concepts. In addition, a supplementary guide on the organizational implementation of examinations with attendance will be available from Tuesday, June 2, by the Facility Management. The staff unit Security Engineer and the facilities of the Central Administration will continue to be available for consultation

In principle, however, digital formats should have priority over attendance lectures. Practical courses and examinations should explicitly only be held on-site if they can not or can only partially be replaced by digital formats, and if the requirements according to the Conceptual Framework as well as the individual hygiene concepts can be met.

We are aware that many members of the university, due to the numerous relaxations in the public as well as private sector, would like to have further opportunities to hold e.g. courses or meetings in larger groups again with presence. However, we urgently appeal to continue to make use of all digital possibilities. The aim is and remains to keep the further spread of the virus under control in such a way that an overload of the health care system is avoided in the future. In addition, the hygiene requirements that have to be observed for every lecture or event on-site are connected with considerable spatial and organisational challenges. For example, due to the distance regulations, only about 1/10 of the spatial capacity on the campus is available: Thus, the presence of students and staff on campus should be kept as low as possible to reduce the risk of infection.

We would like to thank all those involved for having succeeded in setting up this Hygiene Conceptual Framework with all its challenges. It offers the best possible support to the university's institutions in carrying out necessary attendance events. We wish all employees and researchers, students and lecturers continued success in this unusual summer semester.

With best regards
The University Board