From 01.08.2022, new COVID-19 measures will apply nationwide. The previous segregation (quarantine) of COVID-19 infected persons will be abolished, instead there will be traffic restrictions.

FAQs for staff about the discontinuation of quarantine, opens in new window

This means for the workplace:

• Positively tested persons may work in future, provided they wear an FFP2 mask. In addition, organisational and spatial measures must be taken. These can be individual offices or premises or teams with only Corona infected persons (the explanations speak of so-called "Corona teams" at the workplace, according to which infected persons form their own teams).
• In the workplace, the employer's duty of care (especially with regard to protective measures) and the employee's duty of loyalty (especially with regard to the disclosure of an infection) are increasingly relied upon.
• Sick persons, i.e. persons with symptoms, do not have to work - as with other diseases.
• Those who cannot wear an FFP2 mask for medical reasons (proof by medical certificate!) are not allowed to enter the place of work.

Duration of the traffic restriction:

• As before, the following applies here: 10 days; from the 5th day onwards, one can be exempted. Persons who then have a negative PCR test or a Ct value above 30 are no longer subject to traffic restrictions.
• The traffic restrictions apply not only in the case of a positive PCR test, but also in the case of a positive antigen test. However, there will be some relief in the case of antigen tests: if one is "only" antigen-positive, one can be retested by PCR test; if this PCR test is subsequently negative, the restrictions end.

Further effects:

• Since in future no notices of isolation will be issued, the employer will no longer be able to receive compensation for loss of earnings under section 32 of the Epidemic Act. Any continued remuneration must therefore be borne by the employer.
• In addition, the telephone notification of sickness is to be reactivated and the exemption for risk groups (presumably limited until October 2022) is also to come into force again.

Access regulations and contact person management have been suspended at the TU Wien for the time being..

Corona rules in force in Vienna: https://coronavirus.wien.gv.at/neue-corona-regeln/, opens an external URL in a new window

Here, too, the FFP2 mask obligation applies in closed rooms until further notice. Internal and external events can be planned and held as before in cooperation with the GUT Service Unit of Event Services, opens in new window. 

It is strongly recommended to keep a safety distance from other people and to remember hygiene when in presence at the TU Wien.

In principle, in the case of a COVID-19 infection, the familiar regulations for sick leave apply. A proven COVID-19 infection does not automatically exempt employees from their duty to work. However, employees who have symptoms do not have to work and can take sick leave (also by telephone).

If an employee has tested positive (and is not on sick leave), he/she must wear a mask at all times at work. This applies indoors if physical contact with other persons cannot be ruled out and outdoors if a distance of 2 m cannot be maintained.

The mask obligation does not apply in enclosed spaces only if physical contact with other persons is excluded. Therefore, masks are not compulsory only when people are in an individual office.
Masks are therefore always compulsory in open-plan offices, divided workrooms, when entering generally accessible areas such as corridors, toilets and lifts.

Protective measures must be taken. Employees who have tested positive and are fit to work should - where possible and reasonable - work in a home office. Spatial separation, such as individual offices, is also possible.

The employee must report a positive test due to the duty of loyalty. As part of its duty of care, the employer must check the wearing of the mask as far as is reasonable, i.e. on a random basis.

The "normal" sick leave applies. Sick leave must be reported in good time.

No. Home office can be granted without an agreement for the duration of the traffic restriction (10 days or free testing from the 5th day). However, supervisors should record such an agreement in writing in an e-mail to the employee.

The level of protection at the TU Wien is high and should be maintained. A high vaccination coverage rate among all university staff is of great importance. Info online at https://www.oesterreich-impft.at, opens an external URL in a new window.

Vienna has different test offers, opens an external URL in a new window (entry tests: PCR self-tests, gargle boxes, test lanes, pharmacies). Please note that since 1 April 2022 only 5 PCR and 5 antigen tests per person, opens an external URL in a new window are free of charge.

All current information on Vienna's test offers can be found at https://coronavirus.wien.gv.at/testangebote, opens an external URL in a new window.

The current home office policy, opens an external URL in a new window gives managers and employees sufficient room for manoeuvre. Planning is done jointly, adapted to the requirements of the workplace and the COVID situation, in order to create a safe working situation. 

Home office regulations since 1 April 2021

The National Council passed legal regulations on home office on 25.03.2021. These regulations came into force on 1.4.2021. The TU Wien already adopted a comprehensive guideline on working from home on 22.9.2020, which already includes many of these legal regulations. 

Tax relief

With the home office regulations, tax relief was also created: From the assessment year 2021, flat-rate income-related expenses can be deducted per working day in the home office. Please note that since 1.4.2021, exact documentation of home office days is required and therefore a certificate will no longer be sufficient.

Further information on home office, the agreement and the FAQ can be found at www.tuwien.at/intern/personalwesen/fb-arbeitsrecht/homeoffice, opens an external URL in a new window.

The Vice Rectorate for HR and Gender has published a guide for care duties (PDF), opens a file in a new window (only available in German).

Further information can be found in the FAQ on the intranet (login required).

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