In order to ensure access to education, closing educational institutions should only be done on a limited basis or at a very late stage, even when trying to combat a pandemic. In this regard and after consulting the guidelines, according to the Ministry's guidelines, in principle and based on the current situation. classroom teaching will remain on-site and in-person for the time being. We will, however, continue to monitor the situation and the rate of infection, particularly on campus, as well as coordinate with other universities and the Ministry. This means, however, that there could be changes at any time.

Switching from on-site classroom instruction in individual cases or at the discretion of course instructors would lead to a variety of problems and would not greatly impact the rising rate of infection. For example, students would have to continue coming to campus for on-site sections and would take part in online classes while on campus. In addition, it would not be fair to students who are ultimately then solely dependent on the course instructor’s decision without regard to decision made about their own opinion on the risk or the situations. This would also result in pressuring other instructors more.

Overall, generally switching over to distance learning would, of course, also have some impact on the students and their situation and would affect a significant segment of the educational system, particularly a group that has not only demonstrated a high rate of vaccination (83% among students at public universities, according to Statistics Austria as of the end of September) but a group that also complies with all of the mandates and measures. At the moment and in regard to teaching, strict safety measures – such as adherence to the Austrian “2.5 G Rule” and mask mandate - are in effect at the JKU. Together with the high rate of vaccination, these precautions have resulted in fewer reports of infection and at the moment, there is practically no indication of transmission during class or during examinations.

Since the start of the Winter Semester, we have seen only a slight increase as, on average, two to three student cases of infection are being reported to us as positive. This is a very low number given the 4,000-7,000 students that go through the coronavirus check-in points (depending on the day of the week).

In regard to classroom instruction at the Faculty of Medicine, in the short-term different rules and mandates may be published in lieu of the Faculty’s direct relationship to the healthcare system and to protect the medical care system.