Yes. We are in full compliance with all social distancing guidelines issued by the Berlin Senate.

• In-person seminars will allow for social distancing, which means that larger seminars will either be scheduled in larger spaces, such as the Lecture Hall or Reading Room, or they will be conducted in a blended format in which some participants will be joining in person and some participating from another campus location.
• Lectures given to a larger group will be conducted online or in a blended format.
• When in use, classrooms will be ventilated regularly.
• In good weather, some classes may even be held outdoors.  

Yes. Masks are required:

• Whenever social distancing cannot be maintained
• Inside academic/administrative buildings
• While waiting in line inside in the cafeteria
• While speaking with faculty or staff in their offices, unless otherwise directed
• During in person seminars (Faculty may permit temporary removal by individuals)

Masks are not required outdoors, when social distancing can be maintained; in your household (your on-campus apartment), while eating in the cafeteria, while studying, practicing, or meeting in a small group in the library, reading room, computer lab, or other campus space where social distancing can be maintained.  

Yes, this will be possible without any disadvantage to the student. All students and instructors must refrain from in-person attendance if they are feeling ill or are exhibiting any symptoms linked to Covid-19. However, regular attendance is essential to the collaborative work of learning in seminar format and forms part of the participation grade. Unless prevented by illness, students are expected to engage fully with their classes. Instructors will offer alternatives to in-person attendance where needed, including remote participation or asynchronous options.

Yes, and students may sit outside in the garden at any time.

• Due to space limitations, on-campus students are asked not to sit inside the cafeteria to eat lunch. Instead, students are requested to take their meal to their residence hall or other campus space, or sit outside.
• Off-campus students are also encouraged to make use of other campus spaces for lunch.
• Students waiting in line must stand 1.5 meters apart.
• Faculty and staff are asked to eat lunch in their offices or outside, or to use the kitchens, terraces, or free spaces of the academic/administrative buildings.
• All community members may sit and eat outside the cafeteria at any time, if social distancing can be maintained.

Student Clubs and the Civic Engagement Office have been very active remotely throughout the summer and are encouraged to continue in the fall semester. Any inside gatherings with members of more than one household should be avoided, so all clubs will meet online in the fall.

As the situation evolves constantly, one of the most comprehensive resources are the reports that are regularly issued by the Robert Koch-Institute (RKI), the German Center for Infectious Diseases. The RKI provides daily updated infection numbers on Germany and specific numbers for Berlin are provided (in German only) by the Berlin Senate.

On public transportation, in supermarkets, retail stores and public offices you are required to wear masks in Berlin. You are also required to wear a mask outside in designated shopping areas. A minimum distance of 1.5 m is to be maintained from all persons who do not belong to your household. Public and private events may take place with a limited number of participants. As these stipulations are under regular review, please refer to the official guidelines from the Berlin senate for a comprehensive list of social distancing measures.

You are still allowed to meet other people, but are urged to reduce your physical social contacts outside your own household to an absolute minimum. This applies in particular to people who have symptoms that indicate a coronavirus infection, such as coughing, a fever, a cold or loss of smell. Contact restrictions are currently in force due to the increasing rate of infection. In public spaces and indoors, you may only be in contact with people from your own household and two other people from other households. Persons from two households are also allowed to meet as long as the maximum 10 of persons is not exceeded.

Bard College Berlin community members are expected to download and utilize the Corona-Warn App, issued by the German federal Government, to track any potential exposure to individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19.

If you are experiencing symptoms, please stay at home and check the current guidelines from the Berlin senate that outline your next steps and provide answers on where to get tested.

A number of hospitals in Berlin have set up special coronavirus screening centers. You should call beforehand to ask when and how you should travel to the screening center; please observe preventive measures when traveling to the center.

For all mental health concerns, Bard College Berlin offers its students a variety of services. Students have the possibility to set up online appointments and speak confidentially to a professional counselor about any personal difficulties. In addition, Student Life staff and trained peer counselors (BRAVE Counselors) also assist students in finding mental health specialists. You can also pursue mental health support from professionals where you live.