Coronavirus: protective measures and organization
Version: 1 March 2021
The Uni/PH building will be open again for students and the public from Monday, 1 March 2021, but only for access to the library and the student shop. In the library, the reading and workstations can be used again from this date, under certain conditions. For staff, the obligation to work from home continues to apply. All events will continue to take place in digital format.
These and other measures to contain the Corona virus are set out in the COVID 19 protection concept of 1 March 2021.
On this page you will find continuously updated information about the corona situation. Students, lecturers and staff will be informed by e-mail in case of any major changes.
Protect yourself and others | Information for students | Information for staff | General information
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
| Uni/PH building | Library | |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 7.00 - 19.00 | 7.30 - 18.30 |
| Saturday | 8.30 - 16.00 | 9.00 - 15.30 |
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.
Protect yourself and others
Thank you for protecting yourself and others!
The measures are an integral part of the protection concept (Appendix A) and are binding for employees and visitors.
1. 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.
2. 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 (see exceptions in chapter 2.2 of the protection concept or listed under "General obligation to wear an oronasal face mask"),
- refrain from shaking hands and other forms of physical contact,
- set up their workplaces in such a way that 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.
3. Working remotely
- Employees work from home, exceptions granted by special approval only.
4. 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.
5. 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.
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)
Please observe the recommendations of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) regarding the coronavirus: foph-coronavirus.ch.
Information for students
The start of the spring semester at the University of Lucerne has been digital. Up until the Easter break, all courses will take place digitally.
Whether courses can be offered in hybrid mode in the second half of the semester depends on the development of the epidemiological situation and the legal framework in force at that time. A decision is planned for 22 March. The framework for the possible examination modes will also be determined at that time.
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 counselling@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"
Information for staff
Orders for protection material for the phase after June 8 are placed by faculty managers and heads of department.
Meetings, discussions etc. always take place digitally.
From Monday, 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.
General information
The currently valid protection concept for the University of Lucerne came into force on 1 March 2021.
The Uni/PH building has been open again for students and the public since 1 March 2021, but only for access to the library and the student shop.
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);
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
| Uni/PH building | Library | |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 7.00 - 19.00 | 7.30 - 18.30 |
| Saturday | 8.30 - 16.00 | 9.00 - 15.30 |
Further Information
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". Access to the library is via the main entrance. 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 6.30 p.m.
Saturday 9.00 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.
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, 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 1 March, Hochschulsport Campus Luzern (HSCL; University Sports) has again been offering on-site outdoor training. The online trainings will also continue.
All events, irrespective 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 14th March 2021.
If the epidemiological situation permits, courses in the second half of the semester, i.e. from 12th April 2021, will generally be offered in hybrid mode. The decision on whether to switch from purely digital to hybrid teaching will be made in March 2021.
Contact details for university members (i.e. students, staff and lecturers) with questions specific to the university: safecorona@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.