A number of questions have already arisen, which the head of the Office Michél Kubisch answers below:
What kind of self-testing will be offered?
The University is distributing rapid test kits manufactured by Boson Biotech. These rapid tests use swabs taken from the anterior nasal cavity.
What are the criteria for distribution to the faculties?
Distribution is based on the staffing ratio (as of 11 March 2021). The management teams in the faculties, Central Institutions and central administration are responsible for distributing kits internally. There are enough tests for staff working on site to be tested once a week. This is regardless of the number of hours worked on site. Employees who are currently working entirely elsewhere or from home, or who are on annual leave or sick leave, will not be taken into account when issuing the rapid test kits.
Will students also get rapid test kits?
The Free State does not plan to test students. Students with an employment contract at Leipzig University are considered employees.
How are the tests supposed to be carried out (for example under supervision and documented, or self-reporting of tests performed at home)?
There are no plans to supervise and document the tests at this moment in time. In the event of a positive test result, the employee will be personally responsible for temporarily self-isolating and booking a PCR test with their GP or one of the specialist clinics.
How will it be monitored whether self-tests have been conducted – is the faculty able to monitor this at all?
There will be no monitoring.
How many of these tests will there be and how often will they be delivered?
Once distributed, the tests should be sufficient for two to three weeks. We’ve not yet received word from Dresden as to when the next tests will be delivered. The Office for Environmental Protection and Occupational Safety kindly asks for feedback after two weeks; please let us know whether you had enough, or even too many, tests.
If necessary, which groups should be prioritised? According to which criteria should test kits be distributed if there aren’t enough?
Priority should be given to employees with in-person teaching duties in the context of laboratory work, internships, and employees who encounter many different people, e.g. in the University Library and in the University Computing Centre (URZ), and maintenance workers.
If the allotted rapid tests are not sufficient, please notify the Office promptly, indicating the likely number of rapid test kits needed for four weeks.
Who is subject to compulsory testing? Are there criteria for this?
According to feedback from the Ministry of Science, University employees who have contact with students are not subject to compulsory testing.
What if someone refuses to take a test?
There will be no consequences for refusing a test. We are merely offering tests.
How should the test be carried out?
- Self-testing is voluntary and should be done at home if possible.
- Please follow the instructions enclosed with the kits. The Free State of Saxony has also prepared an explainer video for using rapid test kits. The back of the packaging also serves as a stand for the tube.
- Rapid tests should be carried out at the beginning of the week if possible. It would make sense to take another private test towards the weekend. The City of Leipzig offers free testing services for this purpose.
- Regardless of the result, used test kits can be disposed of in normal household waste.
- In the event of a positive test result, please note the general decree issued by the City of Leipzig, which explains the isolation rules for category I contacts, suspected cases, and people who have tested positive for coronavirus: “Absonderung von Kontaktpersonen der Kategorie I, von Verdachtspersonen und von positiv auf das Coronavirus getesteten Personen” (PDF).
The Health Office (Gesundheitsamt) must be notified. People are individually responsible for this by emailing gesundheitsamt(at)leipzig.de or by calling +493411230. - If the result of your self-test is positive, then you are considered a suspected case. The test must then be confirmed by a PCR test. PCR tests are performed by GPs and specialist clinics. It is important to telephone in advance for an appointment.
- For reporting obligations at Leipzig University, please refer to the current information for staff, especially the section on quarantine.