19 April

As of 19 April, the extended university management (EUL) has enacted an updated protection concept. The main changes are as follows:

Individual lecture halls in the Uni/PH building are open to students for individual work on a reduced basis; there is a mask-wearing and social- distancing requirement, a maximum occupancy of 15 people and a ban on food.

The lockers are now accessible again.

The foyer and the canteen remain closed. The consumption of food and drinks in the publicly accessible areas of the Uni/PH building (stairs, corridors, entrance area, etc.) remains prohibited. The possibility to eat in the building is being examined.

Regular courses are always held digitally. Lecturers may exceptionally offer a hybrid delivery or an on-site delivery. Participants may insist on digital participation without giving reasons, and lecturers must inform them of this possibility. Non-discriminatory participation must be possible for all (see below for details). There is a limit of 10 people for on-site delivery. Mask wearing and spacing requirements apply.

As already decided in March, the oral and written examinations will take place digitally.

All events (conferences, colloquia and other academic events, continuing education events, events for external or internal participants) will generally be held digitally, exceptionally hybrid or on site. The maximum occupancy for on-site events is 25 persons. In addition, there is a capacity limit for room occupancy of 1/3 of the available seats. All participants must be allocated defined seats. Participants are allowed to insist on digital participation without giving reasons, and they must be made aware of this possibility. Non-discriminatory participation must be possible for all (see below for details). If conducted on-site, mask wearing and social-distancing requirements apply.

Meetings, discussions with internal or external parties (e.g. commissions, job interviews, individual discussions with students, etc.) are generally conducted digitally and only exceptionally hybrid or on-site. A limit of 15 persons applies on site. Participants may insist on digital participation without giving reasons, and they must be made aware of this possibility. Non-discriminatory participation must be possible for all (see below for details). If conducted on site, mask wearing and social-distancing requirements apply.

Doctoral examinations take place in the form specified by the dean/head of department. In the case of hybrid or on-site examinations, there is a limit of 15 persons on site. Participants may insist on digital participation without giving reasons and must be made aware of this possibility. Non-discriminatory participation must be possible for all (see below for details). If conducted on site, mask wearing and spacing requirements apply.

Enabling non-discriminatory participation (equal opportunities to take part in discussions, etc.) is to be organised independently by the organisers as regards any technical requirements (owl, video conferencing tools, etc.) (no increased demands may be made on the Teaching Development Centre, IT, Facility Management, etc. by the organiser).

Since 19 April, University Sports (Hochschulsport Campus Luzern HSCL)  has been offering certain indoor sports activities in attendance mode. Since 1 March, there have been offers in attendance mode in outdoor areas. There is also an online sports offer.

22 March

As of 22 March, the extended university management (EUL) has enacted an updated protection concept.

The EUL has decided that regular courses will all be held digitally until the end of the semester. The oral and written examinations will also be conducted digitally.

Conferences, colloquia and other academic events will all take place digitally until further notice, as will continuing education events. Meetings and discussions always need to be held digitally until at least 19 April 2021. The obligation to work from home remains in place.

The opening hours of the library will be extended. From Monday, 29 March 2021, the regular opening hours of the Uni/PH building and library will apply (Monday to Friday 07:00 to 21:30 [building] or 07:30 to 21:30 [library]; Saturday 7:45 to 15:30 [building and library]). Access for students and the public remains restricted to accessing the Central and University Library and the Student Shop (open Tuesday and Thursday between 11:00 and 14:00).

Until Saturday 27 March 2021, the following opening hours will continue to apply: Monday to Friday 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (building) and 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (library); Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., respectively.

In May / June 2021, it is planned to open the library on Sunday for students of the University of Lucerne and the PH Lucerne. The details will be communicated later.

The consumption of food and drink in the publicly accessible areas of the Uni/PH building (stairs, corridors, entrance area, etc.) is prohibited.

In front of the entrances to the Uni/PH building (Frohburgstrasse, 2nd floor break area, etc.) the ban on gatherings of more than 15 people must be observed and a protective mouth/nose mask must be worn at all times.

1 March

As of 1 March, the extended university management has put an updated protection concept into effect after the Federal Council relaxed the Covid measures the previous week. This includes the adjustments already communicated on 26 February (opening of the Unu/PH building for access to the library and student shop, longer opening hours for the library and the use of workstations in the library possible again, start of outdoor sports programme; see below for details). In addition, the deadlines for restricted activities have been extended. Accordingly, all events, regardless of whether they would have taken place in the Uni/PH building, the library premises or in external premises in presence mode (teaching, continuing education, meetings, discussions, events such as aperitifs, coffee breaks, etc.), will take place purely digitally until at least 22 March 2021. The canteen will remain closed.

As already stated in the previous protection concept, regular teaching events will take place purely digitally until at least 2 April 2021. The obligation for employees to work from home also continues to apply.

26 February

The Uni/PH building will be open again from 1 March only to enable access to the library and the student shop.  All other rooms such as lecture halls, seminar rooms, tutorial or foyer will remain closed. Access is only possible via the main entrance on Frohburgstrasse.

In the library, the reading and work stations can be used again from 1 March, subject to compliance with the protective measures. The spaces are limited. A minimum distance of 1.5 metres and the obligation to wear a oronasal face mask apply. Eating and drinking in the library is not permitted.

Opening hours

From Monday, 1 March, University Sports (Hochschulsport Campus Luzern HSCL) will again offer on-site training sessions. The physical sports on offer are limited to outdoor activities. The online trainings will continue. (Further information: Website HSCL)

3 February

The Corona Bridging Aid for students of the University of Lucerne will be reactivated with immediate effect.

18 January

The protection concept was updated on 18 January. The main changes are as follows:

The Uni/PH building will remain closed until at least 28 February.  Access to the library is granted to students from Swiss universities, employees of the University of Lucerne as well as people with library cards from a Swiss university library. Reading rooms and workplaces remain closed, only the lending and open access holdings are accessible and open. Access to the library is via the night entrance to the right of the main entrance and is monitored. Access is granted to students of Swiss universities upon presentation of a library card and persons in possession of  a Swiss university library card. Employees can enter the library at any time via the night entrance.

The library is open from Monday to Friday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. It remains closed on Saturday.

Work from home is compulsory for staff. The decision on exceptions to this rule is the responsibility of the deans or the heads of department and the heads of division.

All events, irrespective of whether they would have taken place in the Uni/PH building, the library premises or at external premises in presence mode (teaching, continuing education, meetings, discussions, events such as aperitifs, coffee breaks, etc.) will take place purely digitally until at least 14th March 2021.

Regular courses take place in purely digital form until at least 2nd April 2021.

The Hochschulsport Campus Luzern (HSCL; University Sports) is offering a purely digital sports programme until at least 28 February.

The measures are an integral part of the protection concept (Appendix A) and are binding for employees and visitors.

1. Infection factors

The corona virus is transmitted through exposure to aerosols and droplets, close contact and through hands touching contaminated surfaces. In general, the risk of infection is dependent on time (duration) and the intensity of interpersonal contact. The risk of infection increases due to these risk factors:

• many people
• small rooms
• bad ventilation.

2. Hand hygiene

Employees, students, lecturers and visitors:

• must clean hands regularly with soap and water or with disinfectant on arrival,
• must clean hands with soap and water or with disinfectant before and after: each session, each over-the-counter meeting, each lesson in a lecture hall, seminar room or meeting room, after reading newspapers and other published brochures
• must avoid touching the surfaces of objects.

3. Keep your distance and wear an oronasal face mask

Employees, students, lecturers and visitors:

• maintain the defined basic distance to other persons,
• wear an oronasal face mask on the premises of the University of Lucerne (exceptions in 3.2  COVID 19 protection concept),
• refrain from shaking hands and other forms of physical contact
• set up their workplaces in such a way that t the basic distance is adhered to,
• observe the minimum distance also in the common rooms,
• limit their contact with students and visitors to a minimum,
• restrict access for consultation hours,
• pay attention to the basic distance in over-the-counter situations and - where this is not possible - use a plexiglass screen,
• avoid the use of the lift,
• observe the personnel guidance measures, e.g. in the stairwell, waiting areas, toilet facilities.

4. Working remotely

• Employees work from home, exceptions only granted by special approval.

5. Ventilation

• offices are well ventilated several times a day.
• classroooms are optimally ventilated by technical ventilation: the windows remain closed.
• the classrooms have separate systems for fresh air and extracted air. Thanks to this structural building requirement, the spread of viruses via the ventilation system can be excluded.

6. Protection of ‘at risk’ persons

all members of the university make the protection of ‘at risk’ persons a priority and take the initiative if they see any room for improvement. Persons who belong to a risk group are particularly worthy of protection:

R = persons at higher risk of exposure due to being over 65 years of age or due to illness;
I = infected persons (with and without symptoms);
Q = persons in quarantine or isolation;
K = persons who live with persons from the groups I, Q, R;

A general obligation to wear oronasal face masks has been in force on all premises of the University of Lucerne since mid August. In the protection concept, the obligation to wear oronasal face masks is specified and exceptions are defined.  

Even with protective masks, the minimum distance of 1.5 meters must be maintained at all times - if possible.

The obligation to wear an oronasal face mask for the mouth and nose is excluded for the following persons/circumstances:

• persons who are exempt from the obligation to wear a mask by means of a medical certificate in accordance with Art. 3a Para. 1 lit. b Covid 19 Ordinance Special Situation, whereby these persons may only stay on the premises of the university in exceptional cases and only if absolutely necessary. To obtain exceptional permission to enter and stay, an application must be submitted to the head of the Corona working group (Prof. Markus Ries) and a statement from the designated person responsible for health issues in the Corona working group (Dr. Christian Schirlo) must be enclosed.
• persons who work in individual offices;
• persons working in multi-person offices, when they are alone in the office.

How to behave if you experience any symptoms and the quarantine rules are defined in chapter 3.1 of the protection concept. Employees, students, lecturers, visitors must therefore stay at home if symptoms of the disease appear and go into quarantine for 10 days if they have been less than 1.5 metres away from an infected person for at least 15 minutes without a protective mask or protective glass, - if they have been instructed to do so by cantonal authorities, if they have received a corresponding notification via the SwissCovid App or if they have entered Switzerland from a risk area according to the FOPH list. List of countries and further information (FOPH)

For people who have symptoms and are unsure how to behave, the FOPH has provided an online tool.

If uncertainty persists, it is advisable to consult a doctor.

For questions about quarantine regulations, the cantonal medical service is responsible in each respective canton.

SwissCovid App and Contact Tracing

Contact tracing is used to find close contacts of persons infected with the coronavirus. The SwissCovid App supports this: It determines if we have had contact with an infected person. This enables us to stop transmission chains. The University of Lucerne recommends employees, students, lecturers and visitors to use the app. Further information (FOPH)

Coronavirus check

For people who have symptoms and are unsure how to behave, the FOPH has provided an online tool. After answering various questions, the user receives a recommendation for action from the FOPH. The University of Lucerne recommends that employees, students, lecturers and visitors with symptoms carry out the online check. Online tool (FOPH)

Regular courses will generally be held digitally until the end of the spring semester. Lecturers may exceptionally offer a hybrid delivery or an on-site delivery. Participants may insist on digital participation without giving reasons, and lecturers must inform them of this possibility. Non-discriminatory participation must be possible for all. There is a limit of 10 people for on-site delivery. Mask wearing and spacing requirements apply.

The written and oral examinations will also be conducted digitally. The respective faculty / departmen arrange the details of the exam organisation.

Individual lecture halls in the Uni/PH building are open to students for individual work on a reduced basis; there is a mask-wearing and distance requirement, a maximum occupancy of 15 people and a ban on food.

Lecture halls 2, 4 and 5 are currently available. If required, further lecture halls can be made available.

The workplaces are in addition to the study places in the library. The occupancy of the seats in the library can be seen in the "Seat Navigator".

Recently some students have once again been called to serve in the military, civil defense or civilian service. Several cantons are also recruiting people with medical or nursing training for medical assistance service. In addition, although schools and day nurseries remain open, in individual cases corona-related extended care obligations may arise in the event of isolation, quarantine or care of sick persons. For these students, the possibility of corona-related compensation for disadvantages has been revived. The modalities of the compensation of disadvantages are regulated by the respective faculties. Affected students should contact their course directors or the faculty student advisory services. In the case of a corona-related official duties, the course director or the faculty student advisory service will check the entitlement to compensation for disadvantages. In the case of corona-related care responsibilities, the entitlement to compensation for disadvantages will be checked by the Office for Equal Opportunities. In both cases, the measures for compensating the disadvantages will be regulated by the faculties or the department.

Students of the University of Lucerne who are in financial difficulties due to the Corona crisis and who have no other means of support should still be able to continue their studies successfully despite the pandemic. The Corona Bridging Aid for students of the University of Lucerne steps in when there are no other support options and entitlements, such as benefits from unemployment insurance. Amounts of between 500 and 1500 Swiss francs are paid out. The bridging aid is financed by funds from the Student Organisation SOL, the ALUMNI Organisation, the University Association and the University Foundation.

Guidelines on the Corona Bridging Aid for students of the University of Lucerne

Application form - Corona Bridging Aid

Contact: Eliane Suter, Managing Director of the Corona Bridging Aid

More information about "Financial and Budgeting Advice" is available in German

For doctoral students, PostDocs and incoming students there is now a new counselling offer: in order to help you get through these difficult times we are dedicated to helping you with personal, emotional and psychological concerns. Should you like to get such help – completely free of charge - please get in touch with counsellingremove-this.@remove-this.unilu.ch for strictly confidential counselling. As a trained and practicing psychologist, the person in charge has a longstanding, specialised experience in counselling students and academics. Remote, individual sessions over the internet are offered in English, French or Italian.

For further topics see "General Information"

Meetings, discussions with internal or external parties (e.g. commissions, job interviews, individual discussions with students, etc.) are generally conducted digitally and only exceptionally hybrid or on-site. A limit of 15 persons applies on site. Participants may insist on digital participation without giving reasons, and they must be made aware of this possibility. Non-discriminatory participation (equal opportunities to take part in discussions, etc.) must be possible for all. This is to be organised independently by the organisers as regards any technical requirements (owl, video conferencing tools, etc.) (no increased demands may be made on the Teaching Development Centre, IT, Facility Management, etc. by the organiser). If conducted on site, mask wearing and social-distancing  requirements apply.

All events (conferences, colloquia and other academic events, continuing education events, events for external or internal participants) will generally be held digitally, exceptionally hybrid or on site. The maximum occupancy for on-site events is 25 persons. In addition, there is a capacity limit for room occupancy of 1/3 of the available seats. All participants must be allocated defined seats. Participants are allowed to insist on digital participation without giving reasons, and they must be made aware of this possibility. Non-discriminatory participation (equal opportunities to take part in discussions, etc.) must be possible for all. This is to be organised independently by the organisers as regards technical requirements  (owl, video conferencing tools, etc.) (no increased demands may be made on the Teaching Development Centre, IT, Facility Management, etc. by the organiser). If conducted on-site, mask wearing and social-distancing requirements apply.

Doctoral examinations take place in the form specified by the dean/head of department. In the case of hybrid or on-site examinations, there is a limit of 15 persons on site. Participants may insist on digital participation without giving reasons and must be made aware of this possibility. Non-discriminatory participation (equal opportunities to take part in discussions, etc.) must be possible for all. This is to be organised independently by the organisers as regards technical requirements (owl, video conferencing tools, etc.) (no increased demands may be made on the Teaching Development Centre, IT, Facility Management, etc. by the organiser). If conducted on site, mask wearing and spacing requirements apply.

Since 18 January 2021, work from home is compulsory in Switzerland. At the University of Lucerne, the decision on exceptions to this rule is the responsibility of the deans or the heads of department and the heads of division.

Further information on the topic of home office (in German)

Employees who are ill, have tested positive for coronavirus or show typical symptoms (especially fever and/or cough) report immediately to their supervisor and stay at home. They are entitled to continued payment of their wages. The same applies to employees who have had close contact with a person who is ill with coronavirus and who therefore have to go into quarantine due to the order of the responsible cantonal authorities (contact tracing) or who go into self-isolation due to a report of the SwissCovid App. If possible, home office services are provided. There is no entitlement to continued payment of salary if no home office is possible and the quarantine was the result of a trip to a risk area, after whose return a quarantine must be followed in accordance with federal regulations.

Quarantine obligation for travellers from certain areas

Since 6 July 2020, quarantine obligations have been imposed on travellers from certain areas. The obligation applies for 10 days after entry. List of countries and further information (FOPH)

The "Zoom" software is used for lectures and meetings. Information and instructions can be found via www.unilu.ch/zoom.

An offer of support is organised for lecturers with regard to the implementation of hybrid teaching. Further information is available at www.unilu.ch/hybrid.

Orders for protection material are placed by faculty managers and heads of department.

Employees with free capacities - for example, due to the cancellation of conferences, lectures, etc. - can contact their supervisor within the framework of the "Helping each other" project. Via an online form, free capacities, time slots and competences can be indicated or it can be reported what someone needs help with.

Form Offer of Support / Request for Support

For further topics see "General Information"

The updated protection concept for the University of Lucerne will come into force on 20  April 2021.

The library, canteen (currently closed), university sports and student shop have their own protection concepts approved by the university.

The Uni/PH building is open for students and the public. However, some areas (canteen, foyer) remain closed.

On all premises of the University of Lucerne (Uni/PH building and ancillary locations) and at all times:

• the minimum distance of 1.5 metres - if possible - must be observed;
• the hygiene regulations according to Appendix A must be observed;
• an oronasal face mask must be worn, regardless of whether the minimum distance can be maintained (Exceptions apply to persons in individual offices; persons in multi-person offices if they are alone in the office and under certain conditions persons with a medical certificate);
• the consumption of food and drink in the publicly accessible areas of the Uni/PH building (stairs, corridors, entrance area, etc.) is prohibited.

There are to be no aperitifs, coffee breaks, lunch breaks etc.

In front of the entrances to the Uni/PH building (Frohburgstrasse, Pausenplatz 2. OG, etc.), the ban on crowds of more than 15 people must be observed and an oronasal face mask must be worn.

The Lucerne University of Education, which is also located in the building, regulates access to its rooms in its own protection concept.

The Uni/PH building is closed to students and the public. Access to the library is possible via the night access from Monday to Friday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.

Opening hours

Further Information

Information on ventilation in the Uni/PH building

The library in the Uni/PH building is open on a restricted basis for borrowing and for consulting books that cannot be borrowed. The protective measures include limiting access by means of a "drop counter". There are 300 study places available.

Masks must be worn in the library and there is a minimum distance of 1.5 metres. Eating and drinking in the library is not permitted.

Opening hours

Monday to Friday 7.30 a.m. to 9.30 p.m.
Saturday 7.45 a.m. to 3.30 p.m.

Learning places

There are 300 workstations available in the library. The doctoral students' room can be used to a limited extent by doctoral students and students working on their master's theses. The occupancy of the workstations can be seen in the "Seat Navigator".  Additional workstations are temporarily available in individual lecture halls on the ground floor.

Group work rooms

The group work rooms are closed.

Lending

The open access holdings are accessible. Borrowable media can be borrowed at the self-service check-out counter or at the regular counter.  On-site media use (i.e. newspapers) is not possible.

Copying

Two photocopiers and a book scanner are available.

New research platform swisscovery

Since 7 December 2021, the new research platform swisscovery is in operation: https://rzs.swisscovery.slsp.ch. Research and borrowing via the previous platforms iluplus and swissbib is no longer possible.

Electronic media

The range of electronic media will continue to be available around the clock via www.zhbluzern.ch/recherche/e-medien.

Further information

Website of the ZHB Luzern: www.zhbluzern.ch

Since 19 April, University Sports (Hochschulsport Campus Luzern HSCL)  has been offering certain indoor sports activities in attendance mode. Since 1 March, there have been offers in attendance mode in outdoor areas. There is also an online sports offer.

HSCL website

Contact details for university members (i.e. students, staff and lecturers) with questions specific to the university: safecoronaremove-this.@remove-this.unilu.ch.

The Psychological Advice Centre of the University of Lucerne, the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU) and the University of Teacher Education (PHLU) offers students, lecturers and employees support, advice and assistance in specific stressful situations and with problems connected to university study or everyday professional life. The advice is free of charge and confidential.  More information (Website Psychological Advice Centre, in German)

The university chaplaincy is also available to provide advice in difficult situations.

Help and support around mental health (Compilation of the BAG)

The University of Lucerne is continuously monitoring the situation and is assessing the situation based on information provided by the responsible federal and cantonal authorities. We are also adhering to all instructions given by these authorities. University management has taken the necessary provisions to be able to react effectively to the situation. A task force was set up to monitor and assess the situation on a continuous basis.

Official information from the authorities: 

Federal Office of Public Health

Canton of Lucerne