Covid-19 restrictions
Mensa & Cafeteria Open Again [14.09.20]
Picture: University of Hohenheim
Lentils and Spätzle, a choice of the finest salads, schnitzel or veggie lasagna: everyone has their personal favorite, which they miss the most. But one thing is certain: The Mensa and the cafeteria are missed.
After the reopening, they will not be the same places as students and employees remember them for the time being. But the strict hygiene concept that head of the Mensa, Bernd Dubrau, and his team have developed is a prerequisite for them being able to unlock the doors again at all.
Instead of 1106 seats inside, there will initially only be about 170 available - 10 m² per person, according to the recommendations of the state. Outside there will be another 105 seats instead of 280 as before Covid-19.
Check-in via app or paper form
"How great the demand will actually be is extremely difficult for us to estimate. After a discussion with the Chancellor, we expect to see more activity on campus again in the winter semester. But digital courses and working from home are not yet finished," said Dubrau.
The hygiene concept envisages that employees at the entrance monitor the maximum number of people and also check that all guests leave their contact information, as required by the state's Covid-19 ordinance.
The "check-in" can be done either by paper form - or online with the guest registration system "Digital Waiter". When entering the Mensa, a QR code is scanned with a cell phone camera or any other app. The transmitted contact data is encoded in compliance with the DSGVO and deleted after the specified minimum period (4 weeks). The installation of an app is not necessary for this.
"It was important for us to be able to test the check-in before the first lectures on campus start. Therefore we will open the interior of the cafeteria again starting next Tuesday. During this test phase, the range of catering will continue to be somewhat limited for the time being, but we are already looking forward to the first guests," says Dubrau.
No self-service, regular disinfection
In the building, guests are guided by a one-way system, signs, distance markings, and barrier tape. A mouth and nose protection is obligatory up to the seat. Disposable masks are available at the Infopoint at the purchase price.
There are also some changes in the food distribution system: Plates and cutlery for the Mensa dishes will be served together with the food. Self-service counters are no longer necessary. Salads and dressings will be handed out by employees instead. Guests will have to do without soups for the time being. Plexiglas shields protect the employees at the checkout counters; cash payment is not possible for the time being.
After the meal, the dishes do not have to be put on the conveyor belt as usual. Employees clean up and disinfect the tables before the next guests take their seats. Cleaning and ventilation cycles in the entire building are to be greatly increased. Hand disinfectants are available for the guests. Access to the toilets will be controlled.
All visitors are asked to stay in the Mensa only as long as necessary. At the end of the meal, the dining rooms are to be left through the open emergency exits to avoid crowds at the main entrance.
Mensa team is looking forward to the reopening
Despite all Covid-19-related restrictions, the Mensa team is very much looking forward to the reopening: "We all missed our work and our guests at Hohenheim," said Dubrau.
However, even with the reopening, short-time work is not yet completely off the table for the employees. The hygiene concept stipulates that only half of the staff is present at any one time. The division into two fixed teams is intended to ensure that operations can continue even if quarantine is necessary.
Text: Leonhardmair
