31. March 2022
Dear
University Members,
the announcement of the federal government to reduce the number of free Covid
tests starting April 1 has also caused uncertainty for us at Angewandte. Tonight, the federal government's regulation was
published, which regulates the limitation of free Covid tests starting tomorrow, April 1, 2022.
Our
covid testing strategy, which has been successfully implemented for many months, was unique in Europe in this consequence
and has enabled university teaching and research in face-to-face mode in times of high covid infection rates, which is indispensable
for a university as we understand it.
Due to a joint argumentation offensive towards the Ministry
of Health by the Ministry of Science and the Rectorate of Angewandte in the last few days, it has been possible for Angewandte
to continue its proven testing strategy (negative PCR test result as a prerequisite for admission) beyond April 1 until the
beginning of the Easter vacations. This is possible because the regulation of the Minister of Health now contains a special
clause:
In the month of April, in addition to the five free PCR tests, five "old" 'Alles
gurgelt‘ test kits that have already been collected (or are still in stock at Angewandte), can still be handed in
and evaluated via 'Alles Gurgelt'.
The PCR test obligation at the Angewandten will therefore
remain in effect until Fri, April 8, 2022, as announced. As of Sat, April 9, 2022, Covid access controls will be
discontinued.
If you do not have any more PCR test kits in stock at home, you will still
receive a maximum of 5 PCR test kits as usual at the university entrances from now on. Unfortunately, the daily collection
of these test kits from Angewandte will be discontinued on Fri, April 1, 2022, so please use supermarkets and drugstores in
the area instead next week.
The FFP2 mask is still mandatory within university buildings,
and its consistent use will become all the more important now that the PCR testing requirement has been removed.
Taking
into account the hopefully further decreasing infection figures, the rectorate will inform after Easter which new Covid protection
measures will be implemented at the Angewandte after the Easter vacations.
We ask for your understanding
that due to the long decision-making process on the part of the federal government, it was not possible to provide you with
more timely information this time, and we thank you as always for your responsible and constructive approach to the difficult
circumstances.
With our best wishes for relaxing holidays,
Gerald Bast,
Bernhard Kernegger, Barbara Putz-Plecko, Eva Maria Stadler, Maria Zettler
Rektorate
