How the Hertie School is supporting our community during the pandemic
Keeping our community safe has always been our highest priority. In navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hertie School has always aimed to provide as safe a campus as possible – in our teaching, in our on-site activities and in the way we support our students with their learning, student life and well-being.
Our hygiene rules and measures for daily operations are continually updated to reflect changing guidelines and regulations by local health authorities. Together, we all share the responsibility of keeping our community safe and healthy. Stay up-to-date by reviewing the FAQs regularly and by reading update emails sent by our Management.
Your safety comes first – and Student Life is here to help. Reach out to the Student Life team if you have questions about COVID-19 regulations or topics related to moving to Berlin, such as health insurance, residence permits and housing.
Please note that, as of 13th February 2023, there are no more COVID-19-related restrictions in the state of Berlin; accordingly, there is no mandatory quarantine requirement if you test positive for COVID-19. However, we strongly recommend getting tested if you exhibit any symptoms of COVID-19 and that, if you test positive, you stay at home until you have received a negative result.
FAQs
COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions in Berlin
Restrictions
As of 13th February 2023, there are no more restrictions for the State of Berlin and, accordingly, at the Hertie School. However, we strongly recommend getting tested immediately if you exhibit any symptoms of COVID-19 and that you stay at home until you have received a negative result.
The State of Berlin regularly revises regulations based on a series of indicators (e.g. rate of infection, number of new infections per week, number of patients requiring intensive care).
An updated list of local measures and FAQs is available in English on the City of Berlin’s website.
Updated information about entering Germany from abroad can be found on the website of the Federal Foreign Office.
You no longer need to inform the Hertie School if you test positive for COVID-19. However, we strongly recommend getting tested immediately if you exhibit any symptoms of COVID-19 and that you stay at home until you have received a negative result.
Vaccination and testing
Vaccination
On 7 June 2021, Germany’s vaccine priority list was lifted, which means that all adults are now eligible for vaccination. Appointments for individuals can be secured at one of Berlin’s vaccination centres online (website only available in German).
General practitioners (Hausärzte) may also issue vaccines.
It has been officially announced that booster shots are now available for all eligible Berlin residents three months after receiving their last COVID vaccination. You can book an appointment beforehand.
The 2G (being vaccinated or recovered) and 3G (being vaccinated, recovered or tested) rules no longer apply as a precondition for entering the Hertie School premises. However, all guests and members of the Hertie Community are strongly encouraged to stick to the 3G rule on a voluntary basis in order to prevent a spread of the coronavirus.
We strongly recommend that all students get vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine approved by the EMA or accepted by the Paul-Ehrlich-Institute.
Although it is not mandatory to be vaccinated when studying at the Hertie School at the moment, for entering Germany stricter rules with regards to the vaccination status may still apply. Therefore, please check the website of the Federal Foreign Office: https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/coronavirus/2317268
International students whose vaccination was carried out with a vaccine other than those named by the Paul Ehrlich Institute are encouraged to consult a medical doctor if they are uncertain about receiving a booster shot.
Travelling/Moving to Berlin
Moving
Please consult the website of the Federal Foreign Office (Auswaertiges Amt) for more information about travel restrictions and guidelines for your country.
Teaching and learning
Teaching
At the Hertie School, we have always remained committed to providing students with an engaging and safe learning environment despite the challenges imposed by the pandemic.
In the Spring 2023 semester, MDS, MIA, MPP and EMPA teaching is taking place onsite. In some exceptions, a few seminars may be delivered online. During the enrolment period, each syllabus clearly stated how each course would be taught.
We are confident we can provide a safe environment. We have a 100% vaccination rate among both our students and staff. We have air filters in all teaching rooms.
Given the COVID case rates in Berlin, we may still face COVID cases on campus. In such situations, instructors use their judgement and conversations with their students to determine whether and when to switch online temporarily.
While most courses in Spring 2023 are taking place onsite, a small number of courses will be taught in an online format. Moreover, onsite courses may have online or hybrid sessions. Our IT and Curricular Affairs Team have developed learning tools, trained faculty and assistants and outfitted our classrooms with the technology needed to facilitate the participation of all students.
Depending on course type and capacity, your courses might be:
- Onsite: This is the norm in Spring 2023.
- Online: A very small number of seminars will take place entirely or mostly online. Online sessions will be delivered via MS Teams or Zoom, to ensure maximum interaction between students and professors, as well as among students.
Labs
Weekly labs taught by teaching assistants accompany large lectures, such as Statistics and Economics. All labs are onsite.
Assignments and exams
Examinations, including both assignments during courses and final exams, may be conducted either online or onsite. For in-class exams the School will provide full information closer to the exam date. Assignments and exams will be identical for online and onsite participants.
Further information on teaching and course organisation
Our teaching plan remains flexible in order to swiftly respond to any changes in safety regulations. We will continue to inform our community of any changes to our teaching plan via email and our Moodle site.
Classes are taught onsite.
There are many services available to support our student community, and we are here to help. Students are welcome to reach out to our Student Life team under +49 (0) 30-259219-116 or via email at studentlife[at]hertie-school[dot]org.
For more information about additional resources for mental health and wellbeing, we encourage you to check out Moodle.
