COVID-19

Information from the University of Siegen

General information from the University of Siegen concerning the current semester, studies and teaching, hygiene measures and behaviour in case of illness can be found in the corona information portal.  

Since June 2020, there have been additional entry regulations. Please note the information for travellers provided by the Federal Ministry of Health. For further information check FAQ regarding corona testing when travelling to Germany.

Persons entering NRW from a risk area from abroad must first register their entry online at einreiseanmeldung.de.
An up-to-date list of risk areas can be found on the website of the Robert Koch Institute.

After entry, you have to go into domestic quarantine for 10 days. A COVID-19 test is only possible from the 5th day after entry on. If the test is negative, the quarantine can be terminated. Keep the negative test result for at least 10 days! If symptoms of illness occur, please call a doctor immediately.

Corona Test at the Doctor's Office

On the webite Corona-Test-Praxis (available in German only) you can search for the nearest doctor's office in the region, where you can be tested for COVID-19 infections. All practices that perform such a test have the necessary protective measures in place.

Confirmation of In-Person Classes

Freshmen who have to enter Germany for in-person classes in winter semester 2020/21 and need a special confirmation from the University of Siegen to enter the country contact registration@zv.uni-siegen.de. Confirmations will be issued for study programs providing in-person classes only.

General Regulations:

» Distance
You need to keep a distance of 1.5m to other people and avoid gatherings or groups.

» Hygiene
Wash your hands often and thouroughly with soap and water or use hand sanatizer.
Cover mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough and sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.

» Face Mask
In public spaces (supermarkets, bus stops or train stations, public transportation) as well as in doctors' offices, etc. you have to wear a face mask or cloth face covering.

NOTE: NRW and many other federal states have introduced a new regulation on 12 August 2020 which includes a fine of 150 EUR for persons who enter public transport without a mask or face covering.

Regulations in the District Siegen-Wittgenstein (from 23 October 2020 on):

Regular updates and case numbers are published on the website of the District Siegen-Wittgenstein. As information is provided in German only you find a summery of the most important regulations here.

» Social Distancing
The distance regulation of 1.5m applies. In addition, only groups of max. 5 persons are allowed in public in the district of Siegen-Wittgenstein . Exceptions exist for direct relatives or persons from two different households. 

» Mandatory Face Covering in the City Center
Since October 24, 2020, face covering must also be worn in the Siegen city center. This applies to the following area (streets):
 
Bahnhofstraße 1-27 incl. bridge
Scheinerplatz
Kunstweg
Brüder-Busch-Straße
Oberstadtbrücke
Kölner Tor 4-10 as well as 1-3 (opposite side of the street)
Kölner Straße 64-66  

» Events, Congresses and Crowds 
Events, congresses and crowds of more than 100 persons require may take place if the hygiene and safety concept is approved in due time. 
Indoor events with more than 500 participants as well as indoor events with more than 250 participants are cancelled.

» Holiday Celebrations and Special Occasions
Celebrations of holidays or special occasions outside the apartment are limited to 10 persons.

Current Regulations in Germany (from 2. November until end of November 2020)

» Social Distancing  
Avoid contact with people outside your household, private travel and trips to friends or relatives. Between 23 December 2020 and 1 January 2021 small gatherings of family members or friends (no more than 10 persons, excluding children under the age of 14) are allowed.

» Shops and Services 
Supermarket and shops are allowed to open if hygiene regulations are met. Only a small number of customers is allowed inside. Medical treatment by a physiotherapist is still possible. Mask or face covering is required inside and outside the shop as well as in parking lots.
Hairdressers will also remain open. Cosmetic studios and tattoo studios remain closed.

» Restaurants 
Bars, pubs and restaurants remain closed. Takeaway and food delivery services will be operating.

» Sports 
Gyms, sports halls and public pools remain closed. Individual sport activities (e.g. running) are allowed.

» Theatres, Operas und Cinemas 
Theatres, operas, cinemas as well as other public or private cultural institutions remain closed. This also applied to museums, galleries, exhibitions, castles and other memorial sites. Further, amusement parks and fairs remain closed.

» Tourism and hotels 
Tourist overnight stays are not allowed.

Information about the current Stiuation in Germany in different languages: 
Lengoo 
Handbook Germany 
Beauftragte der Bundesregierung für Migration, Flüchtlinge und Integration 
Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung: Infektionsschutz

Many students have lost work and are facing financial hardship during COVID-19. At present, various options are being sought to support students in need. Unfortunately, the administrative processes are very complicated and take time. As soon as there are any news, we will provide further information!

Here are a few tips and information that could help you if you currently have little or no financial resources available:

» Interim Financial Aid Funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
The monthly Interim Financial Aid by the BMBF is available from November 2020 to March 2021. 

» Rent:
Talk to your landlord or landlady, explain your situation and ask if a rent deferral is possible. Many landlords have shown understanding.

» Health insurance:
Talk to your health insurance company. Here too, it is sometimes possible to pay contributions a little later.

» Small loans from the AStA:
The general students' committee AStA grants small loans of about 250 Euros and the application process is fairly easy. Please contact the social department of the AStA. 

Please remember, however, that deferrals and loans mean a payment or repayment at a later date! 

Further possibilities:

» Refund of the semesterticket:
You can still apply for a refund of you semester ticket fee at the AStA until 8 May.

» Student job:
If you have lost your part-time job, ask at supermarkets, for example. Some of them are currently hiring more staff because they have increased demand for staff. Also check with the university's job agency.

» Emergency Food Assistance:
Free food is distributed Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Siegener Tafel. The Heimatverein Achenbach and foodsharing also provide free food to people in need. 

» Financial support by religious organisations:
If you are in great need, please contact the Katholische Hochschulgemeinde (KHG), which - regardless of your religion - can support you with a one-time financial grant after examination. The Evangelische Studierendengemeinde (ESG) can provide you with meal vouchers.

» Scholarship for the final period of your studies:
If you are about to finish your studies and are planning or already writing your final thesis, you can apply for a scholarship at the association AWiPro oder at the Evangelischen Studierendengemeinde (ESG).

If your residence permit expires in the near future and you need to extend it, please contact the Foreigners' Registration Office. The staff is available by phone or email. You are only allowed to enter the building with an appointment.

If you are still abroad and your residence permit expires, please also contact your Foreigners' Registration Office in Germany for further information.

The Foreigners' Registration Office is aware of the difficulties you are currently facing.  and consequences of the current semester. It may be that you won't be able to get all achievments as planned. If you can prove this, you will not be put at a disadvantage.

If you have any problems, please contact the department ISA.

The current situation is a challenge for all of us - especially because we are hardly allowed to have direct social contacts. However, try to stay in touch and find new ways to organize your day. It is important to keep daily routines and to develop a firm structure for your work.

Learning and entertainment

» ISA Facebook group:
The Facebook group of ISA gives you ideas and information about everyday life regularly.

» Online meeting "Stammtisch":
Every Thursday evening at 7 p.m. our online regulars' table (called "Stammtisch) takes place. There you can meet other students - German and international - can chat, exchange information and play together. You can find the regulars' table via the Adobe Connect room https://webconf.vc.dfn.de/usistammtisch. Usually it works best if you download the application.

» Free online courses:
Take part at one of the 600 free online courses on Class Central and expand your knowledge

» Learn German:
There are many opportunities to get to know German and the German culture further. For example via the YouTube channel Easy German.

 
Mental and physical health

» Sports :
Exercise daily. Exercise in the fresh air - walking, jogging or cycling - is permitted (even without a mask). There are also many online offers to do sports at home. Take a look at ALBA Berlin, for example, where you can take part in a sports lesson every day. Also many fitness studios and even health insurance companies have online offers.

» Structuring your everyday life:
You can find very detailed tips on how to structure your day, for example, at the Studierendenwerk Leipzig.

» Psychological support:
If you are not feeling well and need support, please contact the psychological counselling service of the University of Siegen.

» Psychological health:
Many newspapers and magazines currently publish helpful mental health tips, such as the BBC's article "Coronavirus: How to protect your mental health"

Please note that the university buildings are currently closed. However, all employees can be reached by email and / or telephone.

International Student Affairs (ISA)

If you have any problems, please contact us. We support you as best we can. Send us your phone number or ask for a video call, if you need to talk.

» International degree seeking students: Ms Eva Grottschreiber
» International Erasmus students: Mrs Nathalie Bourin-Budig
» International exchange students (besides Erasmus): Ms Susanne Engelmann

STARTING
If you have any questions regarding registration, change of your studies or your student card, please contact the department STARTING . 

Studies
If you have any questions about your studies, please contact the staff of your faculty. Don't hesitate to write to your lecturer directly if you have questions about one of your courses.
You can also get help from the  Academic Advisors of your faculty / study programme.

Examination office
Your Examination Office will also help you with any questions regarding your achievements and registration of your achievemnts / exams.

Psychological consultation
If you have problems with your studies, feel alone or are not feeling well, you are very welcome to contact the Psychological Counselling Service.