Coronavirus
update Coronavirusupdate

On 30 April 2022, the general requirement to wear a mask in indoor spaces in Hamburg expired. Masks continue to be mandatory in some areas – for example, in the buses and trains of Hamburg’s public transport system. The high number of infections shows that the pandemic is not over yet. HAW Hamburg therefore strongly recommends that individuals wear masks (ideally FFP2 masks) after 30 April 2022. This will enable us to continue to ensure a relatively secure environment for study and work on campus. By wearing masks, we can protect one another and make it possible for vulnerable individuals to come to the university. 

Whether or not a mandatory requirement to wear a mask is necessary in specific areas, particularly when it is not possible to thoroughly air out a room or physical distance cannot be maintained, must be determined on a case-by-case basis via a risk assessment. The risk assessments posted on the right side of this page are available for this purpose.

If you require a medical mask when you are on campus, you can obtain one at the following locations:

Now that the legal requirement for employers to enable employees to work from home has expired, a new agreement ('Working from an alternative location') under section 93 of the Hamburg Employee Representation Act has entered into force. This means that employees can continue to perform some of their work from home, provided that their tasks and university operations permit. This will ensure that personal contact in the workplace is reduced and offices can be used by one person at a time.

As previously, staff members should agree on home-office arrangements in writing (e.g. by email) with their direct supervisors. An agreement template is available on the university’s employee portal. It should be noted that the occupational health and safety rules currently in effect also apply to work undertaken in another location. This means that a risk assessment must be completed before an employee can begin working from home. The templates and additional information are available in the occupational safety, health and environmental management system (AGUM). 

Corona: How can we increase our resilience?