This page provides up-to-date information about the coronavirus outbreak as well as changes coming into effect and measures being taken.
Semester ticket: exceptional rules - update
Last updated: 30 June 2020
Exceptional rules continue to apply in some cities only.
See below for important information about your semester ticket.
Since many students had the problem that their semester ticket public transport passes had expired and it was not possible for them to renew them (i.e. have the new expiry date printed on them), we had agreed on special arrangements with the public transport providers in the region. These arrangements were in place in all cities until 31 May 2020. New rules went into effect on 1 June 2020, which were different in each city.
As of 1 July 2020, the following rules will apply:
- Bamberg: In Bamberg, the exceptional rules for the semester ticket will continue to apply until the end of the 2020 summer semester (30 September 2020). An enrolment certificate (Immatrikulationsbescheinigung) for the 2020 summer semester issued by the University of Bamberg in combination with an official photo ID will be accepted as a ticket on public transport.
- Schweinfurt: In Schweinfurt, the exceptional rules for the semester ticket no longer apply. However, to ensure a smooth transition back to the normal rules, the public transport providers will continue to accept an enrolment certificate (Studienbescheinigung) in combination with an official photo ID as a ticket in exceptional circumstances.
- Würzburg: In Würzburg, the normal rules for the semester ticket apply again. The only document that will be accepted as a ticket on public transport is your renewed student ID card.
Where in Würzburg can you renew your card?
- Students of the University of Würzburg can access the validation terminals in the following locations:
- Neue Universität, Sanderring 2 → you must use the east entrance (Geschwister-Scholl-Platz)
- Central University Library, Campus Hubland Süd (entrance hall)
- Campus Hubland Nord, Oswald-Külpe-Weg 82 (ground floor in the hall near the Chip Card Office)
- Students of the University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt can be given access to the validation terminals in the building at Münzstraße 12 every Monday to Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
- Students of the University of Music Würzburg can access the validation terminal in the building on Hofstallstraße. The building is usually open Monday to Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Where in Schweinfurt can you renew your card?
- Students can now access the validation terminal via the Ignaz-Schön-Straße 11 entrance every Monday to Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Corona pandemic: bridging aid for students in financial emergency situation
Last updated: 15 June 2020
The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is helping students who are demonstrably in a financial or economic emergency situation owing to the corona pandemic with allowances totalling 100 million euros.
Semester ticket: exceptional rules - update
Last updated: 19 June 2020
Exceptional rules continue to apply in some cities only.
See below for important information about your semester ticket.
Since many students had the problem that their semester ticket public transport passes had expired and it was not possible for them to renew them (i.e. have the new expiry date printed on them), we had agreed on special arrangements with the public transport providers in the region. These arrangements will remain in place in all cities until 31 May 2020.
As of 1 June 2020, new rules will apply. These are different in each city:
- Bamberg: In Bamberg, the exceptional rules for the semester ticket will continue to apply until the end of the 2020 summer semester (30 September 2020). An enrolment certificate (Immatrikulationsbescheinigung) for the 2020 summer semester issued by the University of Bamberg in combination with an official photo ID will be accepted as a ticket on public transport.
- Schweinfurt: In Schweinfurt, the exceptional rules for the semester ticket will continue to apply until 30 June 2020. An enrolment certificate (Immatrikulationsbescheinigung) for the 2020 summer semester issued by the University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (campus Schweinfurt) in combination with an official photo ID will be accepted as a ticket on public transport.
- Würzburg: In Würzburg, the exceptional rules for the semester ticket no longer apply. The only document that will be accepted as a ticket on public transport is your renewed student ID card.
Where in Würzburg can you renew your card?
- Students of the University of Würzburg can access the validation terminals in the following locations:
- Neue Universität, Sanderring 2 → you must use the east entrance (Geschwister-Scholl-Platz)
- Central University Library, Campus Hubland Süd (entrance hall)
- Campus Hubland Nord, Oswald-Külpe-Weg 82 (ground floor in the hall near the Chip Card Office)
- Students of the University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt can be given access to the validation terminals in the building at Münzstraße 12 every Monday to Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. (Schweinfurt: access to the validation terminals is possible from Wednesday, 24.06.2020, via the Ignaz-Schön-Straße 11 entrance every Monday to Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.)
- Students of the University of Music Würzburg can access the validation terminal in the building on Hofstallstraße. The building is usually open Monday to Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
New: Guest registers
Last updated: 26 May 2020
Our canteen at the Studentenhaus Würzburg, the Mensateria on Campus Hubland Nord (Würzburg) and the canteen on Feldkirchenstraße in Bamberg have reopenend, however, we need to record the names and contact details of the guests that eat there.
We will have to make that information available to the health authorities if it turns out that one of our guests is infected with COVID-19. We will not use your information for any purpose other than this.
If you only come to pick up a takeaway but do not eat at the canteen or Mensateria, you will not have to give us your details.
You can either use a QR code to register your details or you can add them to a paper-based list.
Three canteens to reopen
Last updated: 20 May 2020
The authorities have authorised dine-in eating places to reopen. We have developed a set of safety and hygiene practices and will reopen the canteen at the Studentenhaus Würzburg, the Mensateria on Campus Hubland Nord (Würzburg) and the canteen on Feldkirchenstraße in Bamberg for dine-in service on 25 May 2020.
Click here for more information.
Semester ticket – exceptional rules to remain in place
Last updated: 29 April 2020
See below for important information about your semester ticket.
In the current situation, many students are having the problem that their semester ticket public transport passes have expired or are due to expire and they cannot renew them (i.e. have the new expiry date printed on them) because either they are not in their university town at the moment or they cannot access the validation terminals in their university buildings.
This is why we have agreed on special arrangements with the public transport providers in the region. These exceptional rules will continue to apply until 31 March 2020.
Pick up take-away meals at the canteen at Studentenhaus Würzburg
Last updated 27 April 2020
You can order take-away meals from the canteen at Studentenhaus Würzburg.
Click here for more information.
Click here to order a takeaway.
FAQs about coronavirus and studies
Last updated: 27.03.2020
Find further information on BAföG and accommodation during the coronavirus pandemic below.
This information is updated continuously.
FAQ Wohnen
FAQ BAföG (in German)
FAQ Social Counselling and Legal Advice
Did not find the right answer? Or would you like to know more about a topic?
Contact us - our employees will be happy to help you.
Semester ticket: exceptional rules in April 2020
Last updated: 31 March 2020
In the current situation, many students are having the problem that their semester ticket public transport passes have expired or are due to expire and they cannot renew them (i.e. have the new expiry date printed on them) because either they are not in their university town at the moment or they cannot access the validation terminals in their university buildings.
This also leads to another problem: We expect long queues at the validation terminals on the envisaged start date of the lecture period of the 2020 summer semester (20 April), something that should be avoided in the current situation.
To solve these two problems, we have agreed on the following arrangements for the period from 1 April to 30 April 2020 with the public transport providers in the region:
Semester ticket Bamberg in April 2020:
The following rule applies in the city and district of Bamberg in the period from 1 April to 30 April 2020:
An enrolment certificate (Immatrikulationsbescheinigung) for the 2020 summer semester issued by the University of Bamberg in combination with an official photo ID will be accepted as a ticket on public transport.
Semester ticket = enrolment certificate 2020 summer semester + official photo ID
The chip card without the new expiry date printed on it will not be accepted as a ticket in April 2020.
Semester ticket Schweinfurt in April 2020:
The following rule applies in the city and district of Schweinfurt in the period from 1 April to 30 April 2020:
An enrolment certificate (Immatrikulationsbescheinigung) for the 2020 summer semester issued by the University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (campus Schweinfurt) in combination with an official photo ID will be accepted as a ticket on public transport.
Semester ticket = enrolment certificate 2020 summer semester + official photo ID
Semester ticket Würzburg in April 2020:
The following rule applies in the entire area covered by the Verkehrsunternehmens-Verbund Mainfranken GmbH (VVM) public transport providers in the period from 1 April to 30 April 2020:
The student ID card (chip card) with the expiry date “31 March 2020” or “15 March 2020” for the 2019/20 winter semester printed on it in combination with a printout of the enrolment certificate (Immatrikulationsbescheinigung) for the 2020 summer semester and an official photo ID will be accepted as a ticket on public transport.
In the case of first-semester students who do not have an expiry date printed on their student ID cards, the cards will be accepted without an expiry date printed on them.
Semester ticket = student ID card with expiry date 2019/20 winter semester or without expiry date (in the case of first-semester students) + enrolment certificate 2020 summer semester + official photo ID
Coronavirus update: curfew imposed
In order to slow down the spread of coronavirus, a statewide curfew will be imposed in Bavaria effective Saturday, 21 March 2020. The curfew will be in place for an initial period of two weeks.
The following rules will apply during the curfew:
People will be allowed to leave their homes only if they have a valid reason, e.g. to go to work, to buy food and other essential supplies, to see the doctor, to go to the pharmacy, to help others and to visit their partners. People will also be allowed to go for walks or exercise outdoors – however, they will only be allowed to do so alone or together with people who are living in their household.
All restaurants, cafes, pubs, clubs and bars – except for drive-through and take-away restaurants – as well as hairdressers, DIY stores and garden centres will be closed.
What will change at the Studentenwerk Würzburg?
You will still be able to contact the teams at our counselling services (social, legal and psychotherapeutic counselling) on the phone and per email. Their contact details and office hours can be found on the respective pages on our website.
Accommodation services, the BAföG Office, our financial counselling team as well as our info point, the chip card office and the main cash desk can also be contacted on the phone and per email.
All canteens and cafeterias in Aschaffenburg, Bamberg, Schweinfurt and Würzburg will remain closed.
Information about the washing machines in our student residences
Last updated: 27 March 2020
You need to do the laundry, but you have no money on your chip card?
Here is where you can find chip card load locations that you can access in the current situation:
- Würzburg:You can access the load location in the foyer of Burse in the Studentenhaus building Monday to Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
- Bamberg: You can use the load location in the "Weberei 5" (ERBA) building. You can open the main entrance to the foyer Monday to Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. with your Service Card.
- Aschaffenburg: A staff member of the International Office will unlock the door of building 20 every Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. so that you can access the load location there (to get to the load location, use the door facing building 40 and the lawn; click here for a map). Please arrive on time. The door will be locked again as soon as the last student in the queue has left the building. Please keep a distance of at least 1.5 meters from the other students in the queue! Please be aware that you must use your EC card to load money onto your card. If you do not have an EC card, you must have the exact amount that you want to load onto your card. We cannot provide change.
- Schweinfurt: You can access the load location in the foyer of the canteen (door between building 7 and building 8) on Wednesdays between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
In Aschaffenburg and Bamberg, you will find validation terminals near the load locations. In Schweinfurt and Würzburg, you will not need to validate your card in order to be able to load money onto it.
You will not have to validate your chip card in order to be able to use the washing machines!
If you notice that one of your fellow tenants needs to load money onto his/her card, help him/her out with your card so that he/she can avoid going to a load location.
Changes due to the declaration of a state of emergency in Bavaria
Last updated: 16 March 2020
Due to the current situation and after a state of emergency has been declared in Bavaria, the following changes will take effect at the Studentenwerk Würzburg:
Canteens and cafeterias:
All canteens and cafeterias in Aschaffenburg, Bamberg, Schweinfurt (as of 16 March 2020) and Würzburg will be closed as of Tuesday, 17 March 2020 and until further notice.
Counselling services
Until further notice, the Studentenwerk Würzburg will no longer offer face-to-face counselling services. Counselling will only be available over the phone and per email. This applies to social, legal and psychotherapeutic counselling, counselling in the area of accommodation, financial counselling, the info point, the chip card office and the main cash desk.
You can contact the BAföG Office per email at wuerzburg(at)bafoeg-bayern(dot)de. Your contacts there can be reached over the phone.
You can also contact the teams at our social, legal and psychotherapeutic counselling services over the phone and per email. Their contact details and office hours can be found on the respective pages on our website.
Child care facilities:
As we have announced on Friday, 13 March 2020, our child care facilities will be closed as of Monday, 16 March 2020.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused. We will keep you up-to-date on developments via our website and social media channels.
Take care of your health!
Kellerperle closed
Last updated: 16 March 2020
Due to the coronavirus outbreak, the Kellerperle will be closed until further notice.
The University of Würzburg and the Universiy of Bamberg suspend courses until further notice
Last updated: 11 March 2020
On 10 March 2020, the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts decided that all universities in Bavaria should stop courses immediately and until further notice. There are new rules in place for exams, too.
For more information, go to the web pages of your university.
Start date of the lecture period of the 2020 summer semester at universities of applied sciences postponed to 20 April 2020
Last updated: 10 March 2020
On 10 March, the Bavarian State Government decided that the start date of the lecture period of the 2020 summer semester at universities of applied sciences will be postponed to 20 April 2020 in order to prevent coronavirus from spreading further (cf. https://www.stmwk.bayern.de/pressemitteilung/11869/nr-047-vom-10-03-2020.html).
For more information, go to the web pages of your university of applied sciences.
General information about coronavirus (COVID-19)
Last updated: 3 March 2020
Since January 2020, the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which originated in China in December 2019, has been spreading to other parts of the world. We are receiving more and more enquiries about how the Studentenwerk Würzburg is handling the issue.
The Studentenwerk Würzburg is monitoring the developments carefully and is acting in accordance with the recommendations of the competent authorities and institutions.
We are asking all students to act responsibly and help us prevent the virus from spreading further. In particular, we are asking all students who are arriving or returning from abroad or are planning to travel abroad to read the available information about coronavirus carefully.
We have provided more information about coronavirus and links to information provided by the German Federal Ministry of Health and the Robert Koch Institute.
The 10 most important hygiene recommendations
To avoid becoming infected with coronavirus, you should practise the same hygiene routines that are also recommended for the prevention of regular influenza (see picture).
FAQs
What are coronaviruses?
Coronaviruses were first identified in the mid-1960s. They can affect both humans and animals, including birds and mammals. Coronaviruses cause diseases in humans that range from common colds to severe and potentially fatal diseases such as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) or the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Although less infectious than influenza, severe diseases caused by coronaviruses, such as SARS or MERS, have caused major outbreaks (e.g. in hospitals) in the past.
Source: Robert Koch Institute
How is the novel coronavirus transmitted?
The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is transmitted through person-to-person contact. The main route of transmission is through droplets. The virus spreads directly from person to person via the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and indirectly via hands which come into contact with the mucous membranes of the mouth or nose or the conjunctiva of the eye. Coronaviruses mainly target the respiratory tract. There are cases in which persons became infected through contact with persons who were displaying only mild or non-specific symptoms. The novel coronavirus has also been detected in the stool samples of some patients. It has not been determined yet whether SARS-CoV-2 is also transmitted via the faeco-oral route.
Source: Robert Koch Institute
What are the typical symptoms of the novel coronavirus?
The typical symptoms include a cough, runny nose, sore throat and fever. Some patients also have diarrhoea. Some patients have severe symptoms including respiratory problems and pneumonia.
Source: Federal Ministry of Health
What is the incubation period?
Researchers currently believe that the time between exposure and onset of symptoms is up to 14 days.
Source: Robert Koch Institute
What can you do to avoid becoming infected?
Practise good cough and sneeze etiquette (cough and sneeze into your elbow), good hand hygiene and maintain a distance (1 to 2 meters) from infected persons.
Source: Robert Koch Institute
How can you tell whether you have the flu or 2019-nCoV (SARS-CoV2)?
The symptoms are very similar. This is why you need to be tested to know for sure. According to the RKI, the risk of becoming infected with 2019-nCoV (SARS-CoV2) is currently low in Germany. If you are displaying symptoms such as a cough, fever or respiratory problems, you are likely suffering from the flu or a cold. To prevent coronavirus from spreading further, it is important, however, to identify persons who may have become infected with coronavirus early, isolate them and have them tested for the virus.
Source: Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety
I am displaying symptoms. What do I do?
If you are displaying symptoms, please phone your doctor. If you have recently been to a high-risk area (e.g. China or Northern Italy), please contact the competent health office (Gesundheitsamt) immediately. Avoid contact with others and continue to practise good hygiene routines and good cough and sneeze etiquette. Always phone your doctor and describe your symptoms before you visit him or her. Your doctor will need to take precautions to prevent himself/herself and others from becoming infected.
Sources: German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment / German Federal Ministry of Health
Whom can doctors contact with queries?
They can contact the competent health office (tools.rki.de/plztool).
Source: Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety
