Dear all 

Unfortunately, we are facing a new shutdown due to the high coronavirus numbers in Aarhus. 

The lockdown will come into force from tomorrow morning, Wednesday 9 December 2020 to 3 January 2021, or until further notice. 

The lockdown means specifically:

•  All employees who do not have critical functions must work from home.
• Critical functions refer to both social-critical functions and functions in which physical presence is necessary to ensure animal or human life or ensure that     infrastructure – including research infrastructure – is not damaged.
  If critical research data is at risk of being lost, research activity with physical attendance can also be justified.
  Critical functions are estimated to amount to maximum 25 % activity per research group, including students. It is the responsibility of the group leader to ensure that this is complied with. Essential activity exceeding 25 % in a group must be approved by the management team, i.e. me or one of the deputy heads of department.
  As far as it is possible, please do not initiate new experiments.
• Office work must be done from home.
• Meetings as well as social and academic events through 3 January 2021 must be cancelled, postponed or rearranged into a virtual format. The meeting rooms must therefore not be used.
• The large cafeteria in the Skou building will be closed, while the kitchenettes in Skou and the lunch rooms in West and South will be open, so there will be a place to have lunch.
• The Plan B of the faculties for the completion of teaching and exams must be initiated as soon as possible. Among other things, this means that all exams in January and February will be converted into digital exams. More information about teaching and exams will be provided by the teaching rganization.
• The office aids and the washing facilities will continue at reduced hours.
• Parcel deliveries, please postpone deliveries to the extent possible.
• The current restrictions on maximum number in rooms, physical distance, etc. are still in force.
• Everyone must wear a face mask or a visor when entering and moving around in the buildings. Face masks can be handed out by the office aids.

Take care of each other

I would also like to encourage everyone to be aware of each other and keep in touch with your closest colleagues, especially those who do not yet have a large network in Denmark.

Additional initiatives

We are working to create a local website, where you can find the latest news from the department management team and a link to AU's Corona website. A link to this will be forwarded later.

The management team will take turns being present in the buildings. Thus ensuring that we comply with the activity level of a maximum of 25 %.

 Best wishes

Thomas G. Jensen

Dear all

I hope you had a great and relaxing Christmas.

Unfortunately, the current COVID restrictions have been extended until 17 January 2021. This means in specific terms:

• All employees who do not have critical functions must work from home. Critical functions refer to both social-critical functions and functions in which physical presence is necessary to ensure animal or human life or ensure that infrastructure – including research infrastructure – is not damaged.
• If critical research data is at risk of being lost, research activity with physical attendance can also be justified.
• Critical functions are estimated to amount to maximum 25 % activity per research group, including students. It is the responsibility of the group leader to ensure that this is complied with. Essential activity exceeding 25 % in a group must be approved by the management team, i.e. me or one of the deputy heads of department.
• As far as it is possible, please do not initiate new experiments.
• Office work must be done from home.
• Exams and teaching are online. There may be a few exceptions, for example in connection with exams and teaching activities in labs as well as in cases where digital exams are not practicable. More information will follow from the teaching organisation.
• Meetings as well as social and academic events through 17 January 2021 must be cancelled, postponed or rearranged into a virtual format. The meeting rooms must therefore not be used.
• The large cafeteria in the Skou building will be closed, while the kitchenettes in Skou and the lunch rooms in West and South will be open, so there will be a place to have lunch.
• The office aids and the washing facilities will continue at reduced hours.
• Parcel deliveries, please postpone deliveries to the extent possible.
• The current restrictions on maximum number in rooms, physical distance, etc. are still in force.
• Everyone must wear a face mask or a visor when entering and moving around in one of the following buildings: Building 1231 and 1232 (teaching wing Anatomy Building), building 1241 (teaching wing Bartholin Building). 

For more information, please follow the link: https://medarbejdere.au.dk/en/corona/

See the latest Department updates here:  https://biomed.medarbejdere.au.dk/corona-restriktioner-biomedicin/

After 17 January

When these more strict restrictions are lifted, a variety of other restrictions will still remain in force through 28 February 2021. These restrictions apply to the entire country and include a mask/face shield mandate as well as recommendations to work from home and cancel social events wherever possible. Read more in the Ministry of Higher Education and Science’s announcement

 

I wish you all a safe and happy New Year.

Kind regards,

Thomas G. Jensen

Dear all 

As you may have heard, the requirement for social distancing has changed from 1 to 2 meters. This also applies to us. This is, until further notice, valid until 17 January 2021.

In addition, I would like to remind you that only critical functions can be performed with physical presence in the buildings - and a maximum of 25% activity pr. research group is allowed. It is the responsibility of the group leader to ensure this. In case of doubt, please contact Jeannette Madsen or me.

For more information, please follow this link: Stricter COVID-19 restrictions will apply in institutions of higher education — Uddannelses- og Forskningsministeriet (ufm.dk)

We will keep you updated, and more information will follow from the teaching organization in relation to the teaching activities. 

Kind regards

Thomas G. Jensen

Dear all

Since my email Wednesday, the University Management underlines the following points:

1. Only critical functions* can be performed with physical presence in the buildings. Please do not initiate new experiments (this applies especially for animal experiments)
2. Office work is not allowed in the buildings.
3. Social distancing has changed from 1 to 2 meters. Thus some rooms can only be used alternately. If this in some short-term situations it is not possible, you must wear face masks. Please note that the numbers (for max numbers of persons in the rooms) applied on the doors are not valid at the moment.

It is the group leader's responsibility to comply with the above.

Unfortunately, due to the management group's reporting obligation, we will increase the monitoring in all our buildings.

 *Critical functions

For more information on critical functions, please see the description in the email from 9 December 2020: https://biomed.medarbejdere.au.dk/corona-restriktioner-biomedicin/. 

The Most important sentences are: Critical functions refer to both social-critical functions and functions in which physical presence is necessary to ensure animal or human life or ensure that infrastructure – including research infrastructure – is not damaged. If critical research data is at risk of being lost, research activity with physical attendance can also be justified.

 

Kind regards  

Thomas G. Jensen

Dear all

Unfortunately the current corona restrictions have been extended through 7 February 2021. 

Animal Facility - new restrictions

In order to comply with the increased corona-preventive measures and to secure personal safety for both staff and users while working in the Animal Facility, new guidelines will be applied and existing guidelines must be underlined:

• To work in the Animal Facility, we encourage you to have a corona test performed every 7 days, starting from Wednesday 20 January 2021 
• The test can be either a PCR test or a Quick test. 
• If you are asymptomatic, you don’t need to wait for a negative PCR test result. 
• If the test result is positive, you should follow the official guidelines, isolate yourself, and inform the Animal Facility if you have been in the Animal Facility within the previous 48 hours.
• Animal studies must be postponed as far as possible 
• This also includes adjusting breeding setup to reduce animals for experiments in the coming period 
• Ordering of animals will be limited 
• To secure the personal safety of staff performing essential functions in the Animal Facility, it is very important that all users: 
• Minimize assess to the Animal Facility as much as possible 
• Work alone and plan to work at odd hours as far as possible, also in laboratories 
• Keep a physical distance of 2 meters 
• Face mask (or equivalent personal protective equipment) must be used in the entire Animal Facility, and must be put on in the locker room. 

Teaching and exams – news

Online classes until the end of March: As a general rule, classes at Aarhus University will be taught online until the end of March. This decision was made in order to provide the greatest possible degree of consistency and predictability. 

In-person classes only in exceptional cases: The Ministry of Higher Education and Science has made it clear that exceptions to the online-only policy can only be made in isolated, exceptional cases, such as in connection with clinical, lab and workshop-based instruction. 

No further changes to exam schedules: All winter exams have already been converted to online formats, with few exceptions. This means that scheduled exams will not be affected by the extension of the restrictions. 

For more information, please find:
Previous  e-mails from the department regarding corona restrictions: https://biomed.medarbejdere.au.dk/corona-restriktioner-biomedicin/

AU corona information: https://medarbejdere.au.dk/en/corona/

Kind regards,

Thomas G. Jensen

Dear all at Biomedicine 

Unfortunately the current corona restrictions have been extended through 28 February 2021.

Corona test

I recommend that those of you who, due to critical functions, work in our buildings, are tested regularly.

Critical functions

In order for us to still be allowed to perform critical tasks with physical presence in the buildings, it is very important that all groups continue to take responsibility of what is a critical task. If you, as group leader, are in doubt, please contact me or someone else in the management group.

Teaching

Regarding teaching, it has previously been decided to reschedule to online teaching until 31 March. This is an extension of the current restrictions and so far there are no changes or new guidelines.

For more information

For more information about critical functions at the department, please find the previous announcements in the link: https://biomed.medarbejdere.au.dk/en/corona-restrictions-biomedicine/

For more information about the corona situation at AU in general, please see this link: https://medarbejdere.au.dk/en/corona/

 

Best regards,

Thomas G. Jensen

Dear all 

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter. 

Please find information below regarding the reopening: 

• From today, employees with tasks that require physical presence can access the buildings with a negative corona test (taken within 72 hours, random checks will be carried out).
• The current rules on distance (2 meters) and protective equipment still apply.
• Meetings and office work must still take place from home / online, so far until 6 May. Short stays in the office in relation to laboratory work are, however, permitted.

Animal Facility

As mentioned before Easter, the management team has decided on the following prioritization criteria (in random order) for starting up animal studies:

• Experiments associated with or important for time-limited Ph.D. or VIP employments
• New groups
• Final experiments related to grants that are close to expiring

More detailed information about the reopening of the Animal Facility will follow soon, hopefully Thursday.

Link for detailed information

For more detailed information, please follow the link below (the English version is coming soon):

• Danish version: https://medarbejdere.au.dk/corona/til-medarbejdere/
• English version: https://medarbejdere.au.dk/en/corona/for-staff-members/

If you are in a risk group

If you do not feel safe about the reopening or you are in a risk group, it is important that you talk to your nearest manager.

Kind regards

Thomas G. Jensen

Dear all at Biomedicine 

We have received various questions in relation to the gradual reopening. With this email, we would therefore like to clarify on the following points: 

Corona testing

The testing requirement will be met if two negative Covid-19 tests are administered at regular intervals in the past seven days, for example day 1 and day 4. 

The Building Service Management will follow up on the test requirement through random samples among staff and students. The initiative follows current rules and regulations and is established on a factual criterion for minimizing infection in society.  If one cannot or will not present a test, I will be involved. 

AU is working on a solution to offer local test capacity. We will keep you informed about this. 

Face masks

There are no changes in the use of face masks: Face masks must be applied if you move into an "open” AU building, e.g. the teaching wing/1231 or if you, in particular situations, cannot keep a distance of 2 meters. 

Possibility of physical attendance

If physical attendance is a necessity to perform your job, e.g. research activities in lab or critical technical administrative tasks, you are allowed access to the buildings as long as you comply with the safety guidelines, e.g. the 2 meters distance and testing requirement.  

Canteen area 

It is okay to use the canteen areas for lunch breaks only. Please make sure you are seated with a two-meter distance to each other and please clean your seat before to leave it.  

Please do not hesitate to contact your nearest manager or the management team, if you have questions or feel insecure about the circumstances outlined. 

Kind regards

Thomas G. Jensen

Dear all 

Just a brief update on the corona restrictions. 

From today PhD students are can again use their office space at AU.  

Unfortunately, social activities are still not allowed and meetings with physical presence are only allowed in very special cases. 

For more information: https://medarbejdere.au.dk/en/corona/

 

Kind regards,

Thomas G. Jensen

Dear Employee at Biomedicine,

During the last couple of days several persons from the Department have tested positive with Covid-19. All close contacts have been identified and send home for self-isolation awaiting negative PCR-tests on day 4 and 6 before they can return.

I would like to emphasize that it is important that we follow the guidelines to avoid spreading the virus. Remember to keep a distance of at least 1 meter, use personal protection gear if you have to be close in a work situation, use the hand sanitizer often etc. Physical meetings should be avoided unless in very special circumstances and social events are forbidden.

Read more about how we handle Covid-19 at Aarhus University here: https://medarbejdere.au.dk/en/corona/for-staff-members/

 

Best regards,

Thomas G. Jensen 

Dear all  

It is great that we are moving towards more “normal times”.

As announced by the University Senior Management, in addition to physical presence in connection with laboratory work or teaching, we are now allowed office work with physical presence up to 20 % or one day a week starting from Friday 21 May.

Meetings are still to be conducted online to the extent possible. However, special circumstances may allow some meetings to be held with physical presence as long as all guidelines are followed. If in doubt, you can contact the management team at the Department.

The Skou Canteen will start opening next week with bread in the morning and lunch prepared as take-away. 

Now that we are slowly reopening, it is very important we comply with the guidelines for distance, max number in rooms, hand hygiene etc. in order to prevent local spread of Covid-19.

Kind regards

Thomas G. Jensen

Dear all

Please find a few clarifications on the information from the senior management below. 

Work on campus

You are (still) allowed to work on campus, if this is necessary to perform your job. Office work, however are allowed up to 50 % until August. From August, we can return to campus 100 %. 

Meetings

Meetings are now allowed on campus, however until August, we encourage you to hold meetings online when appropriate.

For more information on social events, please see below.

Animal Facility

We continue with the 1-2 meters distance requirement and the use of facemasks in the Animal Facility until 31 July as this area may be more exposed in the case of a corona outbreak.

From 1 August we can return to campus 100 %. Furthermore, from August, it is no longer required that we can present a negative COVID-19 test, why the AU test capacity is closing on 30 June 2021.

Please talk to your nearest manager, if you have questions or special considerations to be taken in this regard.

Dear all in the Skou Building,

Due to the fact, that several people in the Skou Building were tested positive with COVID-19 today, we have decided on the following:

From tomorrow Wednesday 7 July until 31 July:

• the coffee machines in the Skou Canteen will be shut down – you can still have coffee in the kitchenettes
• you are not allowed to sit or stay in the kitchenettes or in the canteen –  you can have lunch outside or in the atrium
• the distance requirement of 2 meters is reimposed

I'm sorry to have to bother you with this, but unfortunately it is necessary in order to keep the Skou Building open.

 

Kind regards  

Jeannette

Dear all at Biomedicine 

Please find an update on the corona guidelines below. 

Corona passport

Staff can expect random checks by the department management group: https://biomed.medarbejdere.au.dk/en/organisation/management-group/

Building Services performs random checks of students.

Symptoms of or a positive COVID-19 test

Employees with symptoms of COVID-19 must stay home until they are well even if their symptoms are mild. If an employee begins feeling symptoms at work on campus, the employee must go home as soon as possible. If an employee tests positive in an antigen test (rapid test/self-test), the employee must go into self-isolation and get a follow-up PCR-test taken as soon as possible to confirm the results of the rapid test.

Employees are encouraged to immediately inform their immediate supervisor of a positive PCR test so that close contacts at AU can be informed as well. Your manager will, together with the department management, help you clarify which colleagues and students you have been in contact with.

Information

The department management will provide information about COVID-19-infected employees (on an anonymous basis) to a relevant extent, for example at building or department level. Close contacts are informed separately.

For more information, please see the AU corona website: https://medarbejdere.au.dk/en/corona/for-staff-members

Dear all at Biomedicine   

Please find the latest update on COVID-19 in the email below as well as some clarifications:

• We must wear face masks in the department buildings with public access: Building 1231 (teaching wing, Biomedicine South) and the Bartholin Building
• Social distancing is important, especially in kitchenettes, canteens and laboratories
• We should be working from home whenever possible

If you have questions, please contact your group leader/manager.

The current restrictions apply from Monday 20 December 2021 – 16 January 2022.

The Covid restrictions currently in force have been extended through 31 January. Therefore, we must still:

• wear face masks in the department buildings with public access: Building 1231 (teaching wing, Biomedicine South) and the Bartholin Building
• remember that social distancing is important, especially in kitchenettes, canteens and laboratories
• be working from home whenever possible

If you have questions, please contact your group leader/manager.

Update on employees tested positive for Covid-19

Furthermore, we can inform you, that a few employees working different places in the Skou Building have been tested positive for Covid-19 this week. Close (“other”) contacts have been informed.

In the light of the authorities' announcement that the corona restrictions will end on 1 February, we will from now on no longer send out information about people in the department buildings tested positive for Covid-19. However, we encourage you to still act conscientiously and stay home when you are ill and to continue to ensure good hand hygiene etc.