20-03-20
FAQ on coronavirus
FAQ on coronavirus
The Studentenwerk Osnabrück (student Service) takes its duty to regard the welfare of its students and guests very seriously and is anxious to do its duty in the best possible manner.
We provide you with information on coronavirus below, and answer any questions you may have.
- How long will the canteens and cafeterias remain closed?
Osnabrück Student Services‘ canteens and cafeterias will remain closed until the 19th of April, 2020.
- Where can I get food?
Please, provide food for yourself. Food retailers, pharmacies, weekly markets and beverage shops are not closed.
- Can my residential complex be closed?
No, you have a valid tenancy agreement, with which we will of course continue to comply. What is important now is to reduce personal contact. Keep your distance from each other and spend as little time as possible in the communal kitchens. Please avoid unnecessary hand contact, wash your hands often and thoroughly and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with your hands. Ventilate your rooms for 10 minutes four times a day if possible. (Hygiene instructions).
Please do not attend and/or organise private parties under any circumstances.
- Is there quarantine in the residential building?
So far there have been no confirmed cases of Corona in our facilities. A quarantine is always declared by the public health department.
- How long will there be no personal consultation hours?
The personal consultation hours in the housing division, the student dormitories, the BAföG department, the psychological counselling service and the social counselling service are cancelled until further notice. We are currently unable to predict when they can be offered again. However, we will inform you on all our communication channels as soon as there is any news. Please continue to use the contact possibilities via telephone or e-mail. Kontakte
- Use of digital means of communication
Of course it is still important to remain in contact with people. As a precaution, we recommend making greater use of digital means of communication to minimise the risk of infection and spread of the virus from contact with people.
Many student issues can be dealt with easily at the service points of Osnabrück Student Services by phone, email or online at www.studentenwerk-osnabrueck.de. You do not need to visit during the usual walk-in hours.
Documents can be submitted by using the facilities’ letter boxes.
- How will Osnabrück Student Services respond in the event of a suspected case?
Osnabrück Student Services has an emergency and contingency plan in place. A crisis team meets regularly, and will call an immediate meeting if necessary. We are able to respond to any situation, thanks to our close coordination with the competent authorities – Osnabrück City and Rural District, Vechta and Lingen, local public health departments and the Betriebsarztzentrum (BAZ) in Osnabrück.
All suspected cases must be notified to the public health department. The public health department will coordinate further measures, such as informing people who may have been exposed to the virus, in close cooperation with Osnabrück Student Services. If a suspected case of coronavirus is confirmed, it is up to the public health department to decide on further measures.
We also consult with our university partners. Should higher education institutions have to close sites in Osnabrück, Vechta and/or Lingen on account of suspected cases of coronavirus, we will take the necessary measures in consultation with the competent public health departments.
- What should I do if I have been diagnosed with coronavirus after visiting a facility?
When asked about people who may have been exposed to the virus, please specify that you visited a particular facility so that we can take the necessary measures. In this case, we will be informed by the local public health department; you need not necessarily notify us separately.
- What should I do if I fall ill?
In this case, contact your General Practitioner (GP). Please refer to our further information and to the advice provided by the Robert Koch Institute.
Please cancel any personal appointments you may have, e.g. with the Psychosocial Counselling Centre (psb) or with Student Financing. This can also be done at short notice and by phone. The main thing is to avoid the risk of infecting others.
- Who can I contact if I have any further important questions?
You can continue to contact us by phone or email. The key contact details are available here:
General information about coronavirus
What constitutes a potential infection?
- A potential infection is when:
You and/or a person in your immediate domestic environment visited a risk area (see information provided by the Robert Koch Institute) and/or attended events after the virus was detected (after 19 February).
You had close contact to people who have since been diagnosed with coronavirus.
Even if you have no symptoms, you may still be infected.
- What to do in the case of a potential infection
If you notice medical symptoms, please call your GP immediately to discuss what to do. It is important to mention on the phone which country you were in and that you may be infected. This will help to break the chain of infection.
If your GP asks you to self-isolate, please do so and do not visit any facilities operated by Osnabrück Student Services. These facilities include all six dining halls and cafeterias in Osnabrück, Vechta and Lingen, the administration and counselling centres such as the Psychosocial Counselling Centre (psb) and Student Financing, as well as our CampusKita and the three day nurseries we support in Osnabrück and Vechta (Die kleinen Strolche, Kindervilla and Spatzennest).
- When am I considered to be a person who may have been exposed to the virus?
The Robert Koch Institute has drawn up recommendations for defining “contact persons” and how to handle them. Osnabrück Student Services follows these recommendations:
In essence, contact persons are people who have had close contact (more than 15 minutes cumulative face-to-face) with a person who has tested positive, for example during a conversion. In any case, this includes people cohabitating in the same household.