COVID-19 information about university operations

This means that students, teachers and employees have to provide proof of being PCR-tested or vaccinated or of having recovered from a COVID-19 infection when they participate in on-site courses or when they use the reading rooms at the Vienna University Library.

Valid proof

A vaccination offers the best protection against COVID-19. Therefore, the University of Vienna strongly recommends all university members to get vaccinated.

To the vaccination offers by the City of Vienna

University buildings can be accessed within the opening hours (Monday to Friday, 6:00-22:00, Saturday, 7:00-19:00) subject to the general hygiene rules and rules of conduct.

Wearing a FFP2 face mask is mandatory in all public interior spaces of the University of Vienna. This also applies to the workplace if more than one person is present in the room, unless all persons present have been tested or vaccinated or have recovered from a COVID-19 infection.

Those types of evidence that are generally accepted as official proof in Vienna are also accepted for courses and exams at the University of Vienna.

Tested

• PCR test (‘Alles gurgelt’ everybody gargle or gargle box) for persons under the age of 12: 48 hours
• Antigen-tests are no longer accepted as access tests.

Vaccinated

• For vaccines that require 2 doses: You do not have to present a negative test result if you got your 2nd vaccination dose no more than 360 days ago. The proof of vaccination is valid from the day on which you received your 2nd dose onwards.
• For vaccines with only one required vaccination dose (for example, Johnson & Johnson): You do not have to present a negative test result if you got your vaccination dose at least 22 days ago, but no more than 270 days ago.

Current information about approved vaccines (in German)

Recovered

• Persons who have recovered from a SARS-CoV-2 infection do not have to present a negative test result for 180 days after recovery. An ‘Absonderungsbescheid’ (quarantine) or a medical certificate are considered a valid proof.
• An antibody test is valid for 90 days following the testing date.
• Persons who have recovered from a SARS-CoV-2 infection and are vaccinated once do not have to present a negative test result for 360 days following the vaccination date.

Being vaccinated with a vaccine not approved by the EMA

A proof of neutralising antibodies, e.g. after being vaccinated with Sputnik V or Sinovac also corresponds to the rule of being tested, or recovered or of having recovered from COVID-19 in the meaning of a low epidemiological risk. However, this proof is neither regarded as proof of having recovered or of being vaccinated. As a consequence, you are not allowed to access evening gastronomy. A laboratory specialised in human medicine does this test for neutralising antibodies. This is valid as a proof of being tested, or vaccinated or of having recovered from a COVID-19 infection for 90 days.

See also information about the coronavirus / City of Vienna (in German)

A vaccination offers the best protection against COVID-19. Therefore, the University of Vienna strongly recommends to get vaccinated.

To the vaccination offers by the City of Vienna

Please visit the Vienna University Library website to find out more about the opening hours. 

The Facultas bookshops are open. For further information please go to facultas.at.

Common signs of infection with the new coronavirus include high temperature, a cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. However, there are also mild forms (symptoms of a common cold) and infections without any symptoms.

The Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety Ltd. has issued the following recommendations:

• Wash your hands with soap and water or with alcohol hand sanitiser several times a day.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
• Do not travel to affected areas. Please note the current travel warnings issued by the Federal Ministry of European and International Affairs (in German), which may change at short notice.  

Various websites provide information about this viral disease and about how you can protect yourself:

• Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (in German)
• City of Vienna
• Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health and Consumer Protection
• Austrian Medical Chamber (in German)
• World Health Organization 

Obtain information about the current situation two or three times a day – but not continuously – from reliable media. Avoid misinformation and reduce your Facebook (and other social media) use. The information overload ranging from factual to fake information causes unnecessary stress.

COVID-19 has changed our lives. It is important to be aware of the fact that the virus will pass. The best way to get along during the period of restrictions on leaving home: Continue to engage in your daily activities, as far as possible. Daily routines, e.g. healthy meals, physical exercise and enough sleep, have a positive effect on thoughts and emotions. Do things that you enjoy. Stay in contact with family members and/or friends. This makes you feel safe and gives stability.

If you feel affected by the stress caused by the coronavirus outbreak, seek help. Talking to other people (by phone) can give you a feeling of relief and help cope with anxieties. 

Contact the Occupational Health and Safety team at the University of Vienna or the crisis hotline of the City of Vienna:

• Michael Hamberger, +43-660-212 45 91 michael.hamberger@univie.ac.at
• Natascha Klinser, +43-699-113 49 405 natascha.klinser@univie.ac.at

Social psychiatric emergency services, +43-1-31330