Corona Virus – Relevant information (as of December 6, 2021) for all scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Mathematics

All entrance cards will be blocked, starting from November 24, 2021.

The government has decided that only people with a proof of vaccination, recovery or a daily covid test (3G-rule) are allowed to enter the workplace. For further information please contact the reception desk in person as soon as possible with one of the above mentioned proofs.
 

During the pandemic, regulations are imposed by different sources. The German government imposes the overall rules, but the governments of the individual Länder (federal states in Germany) as well as some cities have the freedom to impose regulations with regard to the particular situation of the area. Here we try to summarize the information relevant for our guests as best as possible and to keep it up to date. We assume no liability for this information and refer to the government websites for the official regulations:

NRW website [2] (only in German), Federal Foreign Office's website, [3]city of Bonn's website. [4]

Regulations in Bonn / NRW / Germany

Updates, valid from December 3, 2021:

3G-rule = Geimpfte, Genesene, Getestete = fully vaccinated*, recovered**, tested people*** are allowed.

2G-rule= Geimpfte, Genesene = fully vaccinated*, recovered** are allowed.

• The following facilities, offers, and activities may now only be used, attended, or participated in as participants by immunized persons (=2G): Retail stores and markets (with exceptions, like supermarkets, baby stores, drugstores, pharmacies, medical supply stores, gas stations, opticians, etc.); cultural institutions (e.g. museums, theater,), gyms, swimming pools, events
• From Wednesday, November 17, 2021, there is a mask obligation (medical, FFP2 or similar) in effect in the city center from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Where and when exactly, please see here [5].
• From November 13, 2021, everyone can again be tested for Corona at least once a week free of charge in test centers.
• Indoor restaurants/cafés: no special distances/room dividers required anymore. However, masks are still required outside the fixed seat.
• Mask requirement remains in effect in certain areas, e.g. public transport; retail; public indoor areas, and more.

You can see the current numbers regarding Covid-19 in Bonn here [6].

* full vaccination protection occurs 14 days after the last vaccination shot
** the positive test must be at least 28 days and maximum six months old
*** a certified negative result of a rapid antigen test carried out within 24 hours or a PCR test certified by a recognized laboratory as having been performed within 48 hours

Christmas Market regulations

• November 17 to December 23, 2021 daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Consumption of drink and food Sunday to Thursday until 9.30 p.m., Friday and Saturday until 10.30 p.m.).
• On November 21, 2021 the Christmas Market will be closed due to a holiday.
• mask obligation (medical, FFP2 or similar) in effect in the city center from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Where and when exactly, please see here [5].
• 2-G regulation applies on the market grounds = only vaccinated or recovered persons are allowed to participate in the Christmas Market.
• the city's public order service will randomly check the 2-G proofs for visitors actively participating in the Christmas Market.
• for passers-by who only cross the Christmas Market area, the 2-G regulation does not apply.

As the institute is in the middle of the city center, you will come across market stalls on your way here. If you want to stop at any stalls, please make sure to have a 2G-proof with you.
 

Covid Vaccination

Here you can find some information about vaccination on the homepage of the City of Bonn [4].

You can get vaccinated at one of the listed doctor's offices [7] or at the vaccination bus as part of the mobile vaccination campaign [8]. It is also possible to get booster vaccinations there under certain conditions. Please read the website of the mobile vaccination campaign for more information.

Vaccination side effects can be reported here [9].

Travel

All persons traveling to Germany from abroad will be required to present an official negative test result, proof of recovery or proof of complete vaccination protection (regardless of whether you arrive by plane, train or car and from where you arrive).

For the digital entry registration when entering from a high risk - or virus variant area, please register at www.einreiseanmeldung.de [10] before arriving in Germany and carry proof of registration with you upon entry.

To see in which category (no risk, high risk or virus variant area) which countries are, please see the Robert Koch Institute website. [11]

For vaccinated people: you need a proof of a Covid-19 vaccination in German, English, French, Italian or Spanish in digital or paper form (for example Digital COVID certificate of the EU [12] or yellow WHO vaccination certificate). The vaccination must have been carried out with a vaccine listed on the website of the Paul Ehrlich Institute [13]. The last necessary vaccination dose must be received at least 14 days before entering Germany. For recovered persons one vaccination dose is sufficient and this vaccination does not have to be 14 days ago either.

For recovered people: you need a positive PCR test result obtained at least 28 days but not more than 6 months before entry to Germany.

For unvaccinated people: negative test result with nucleic acid amplification technique (e.g. PCR, PoC-PCR) in English, French, German, Italian or Spanish. The test must be performed no more than 72 hours prior to entry (time of swab collection).
Alternatively, a negative result of a rapid antigen test in English, French, German, Italian or Spanish. The test in case of a previous stay in a high-risk area must be done no more than 48 hours before entry. In the case of a previous stay in a virus-variant area, the test may be performed no more than 24 hours before entry.
Details on the recognition of tests are provided by the Robert Koch Institute [11].

Please make sure to check if these regulations apply for entering Germany from the respective country you will travel from and for your particular circumstances.

Regulations from us and the Max Planck Society

In case of absence of at least 5 days, a negative test result, a proof of complete vaccination protection or a proof of recovery must be presented on the first day back at work. Exception: fully vaccinated persons. This does not apply in case of absence due to illness or home office.

• there is a mask obligation in the institute, except for in your office (if the distance to other people can be maintained) and during meals (only as long as it is necessary for consuming the meal) Please do not use the meal time as an excuse to sit in public areas leisurely without a mask.
• every confirmed case of Covid-19 has to be reported to personnel@mpim-bonn.mpg.de [14] or 0228-402-255. Please also inform us if you have suspicious symptoms, so that we can quickly trace your contacts.
• work from home as much as possible, keep your visits to MPIM brief
• if you enter the institute, please disinfect your hands immediately at the dispensers on the ground floor next to the elevator or at the reception desk
• do not stay in a small office (or one without windows) with multiple people
• participate in virtual meetings and talks
• if necessary, talks may be held in the lecture hall with up to 20 people - vaccinated or recovered guests with an entrance card
• wash and disinfect your hands regularly,
• keep at least a 1.5m distance,
• ventilate the rooms regularly.

If you meet in person, we strongly encourage you to meet outside. In case you meet for a brief discussion at the institute, wear masks and meet in a wide and well-ventilated area, such as the blackboards in the tea area, lecture hall, etc.

We all hope that normal life (at MPIM and elsewhere) can resume soon.

Gerd Faltings, Dennis Gaitsgory, Peter Scholze and Peter Teichner

Further information from our staff

• The reception and IT at MPIM will be staffed as usual.
• The library is open and staffed Wednesdays. Please disinfect your hands when entering and leaving the library.
• Our staff will work mostly from home but will be still available by e-mail and for urgent questions in person at MPIM on Wednesdays.
• The daily tea will not take place until further notice.

We ask you to make responsible decisions for you and other people to help slow down the infection rate. We wish you good health and a positive mindset. We thank you for your understanding and will keep you updated about the situation. For further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by e-mail. [15]
 

Information for invited guests

You are still welcome to start your research stay at the institute as planned, but please be aware of the current entry regulations (see above).

Unfortunately, we cannot postpone your visit, since our office space is already fully booked. However, you can shorten your visit if needed. You can also choose the option to reapply through our online application system [16] (no new recommendation letters are needed in this case).

If you have already booked an accommodation and you plan to cancel your stay, please contact the landlord immediately to cancel the rental contract (to avoid costs) and try to find a solution for both sides.

If you have not yet booked a flight or accommodation, please wait before doing so and book only at short notice. We do not know how the situation will change and can only recommend not to book anything yet. If you have booked your flight already, check this link [17] to rebook or cancel for free.

Please be so kind and inform us about your plans by e-mail [18].