
Information on coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)
This page provides an overview of the most important information currently available on coronavirus. This information has been collated by Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and is being updated on a regular basis.
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Rules for outpatients

Given the sharp increase in new infections, Charité has now implemented the 3G rule for all patients attending outpatient and day case facilities.
Upon entry to Charité premises, outpatients and day case patients must be able to prove that they have either been fully vaccinated, have recovered from COVID-19, or that they have an up-to-date negative test result. Exceptions will be made for emergencies. Limits will be placed on the number of appointments available.
Visits by outpatients who are taking part in clinical studies will be postponed unless there are compelling reasons why this cannot be done. In these exceptional cases, the 2G-Plus rule shall apply: in addition to providing proof of their vaccinated or recovered status, study participants must provide proof of a negative coronavirus test result.
The aim of these rules is to prevent the virus from entering and spreading through Charité, and to optimize the level of protection in place both for Charité staff and for vulnerable patients with severe underlying medical conditions.
What these new rules mean for our patients:
- Outpatients and day case patients must be fully vaccinated, recovered, or provide proof of either a negative rapid antigen test (obtained no more than 24 hours earlier) or a negative PCR-based test (obtained no more than 48 hours earlier). The 3G rule also applies to children above the age of 5 and to adolescents. Presentation of the child’s student ID card will not be sufficient. Asymptomatic children aged 5 or younger do not require proof of testing.
- Outpatients taking part in clinical studies must provide evidence of their vaccinated or recently recovered status in addition to providing proof of a negative rapid antigen or PCR test result obtained no more than 24 (antigen test) or 48 (PCR test) hours earlier.
If you are planning to visit a patient in hospital, please arrange your visit in advance by contacting the relevant ward’s nursing staff. Please bring your identity card or passport with you to your scheduled visit. These will be checked at the entrance and your details recorded. You will then be issued with a visitor pass or visitor armband and granted admission to the hospital grounds.
The collection and processing of personal data is solely for infection control purposes, in order to ensure the safety of patients, visitors, accompanying visitors and hospital staff should an infection develop or be diagnosed at a later stage. All collected data will be erased after a period of 2 weeks. Please click on the following link for more information on the processing of personal data under the GDPR.
Visitors are advised that checks at entrances may result in delays. We apologize for any inconvenience caused. To minimize delays, please ensure that you have all required documentation ready for inspection.
For us, safety comes first.
As a patient, you might be worried about the risk of contracting the coronavirus in hospital. While such concerns are understandable, they can put lives at risk – when acute symptoms are ignored, and treatment is deferred too long.
We would therefore like to introduce you to the measures we have taken to make Charité a safe place for all – our patients, our visitors and our staff.
Please watch the video and have a look at how this works in detail.
Please feel free to learn more about our measures to control and prevent the spread of coronavirus.
FFP2 masks are compulsory

In line with the tighter rules on mask use issued by the Senate of Berlin, Charité has amended its rules for visitors and patients. The wearing of surgical masks will no longer be permitted.
- All patients must wear an FFP2 mask when leaving their rooms and while others are present in their (single or shared) rooms.
- FFP2 masks will be compulsory for all visitors wishing to visit family members in hospital.
Our video demonstrates how to use masks which cover the mouth and nose correctly.
Packing for your inpatient stay
Please ensure you are aware of current visitor restrictions and pack accordingly.
Exceptions will only be made in cases of emergency admission.
Please consult our checklist detailing what you should bring with you into hospital.
Access points to the Charité campuses
Safety measures have been implemented in response to the coronavirus crisis to restrict access across all Charité campuses. Please consult the location maps below to find out which entrances you can use to access campuses and buildings.
- Campus Benjamin Franklin (CBF)
- Campus Charité Mitte (CCM)
- Campus Virchow-Klinikum (CVK)
Visitors are advised that checks at entrances may result in delays. We apologize for any inconvenience caused. To minimize delays, please ensure that you have all required documentation ready for inspection.
Digital visits via video call
While medical care is essential to a patient’s recovery, contact with loved ones also plays an important role. Ensuring that our patients remain in touch with their families during their stay at Charité is very important to us, especially during these challenging times. We therefore offer a video call service which enables our patients to see and speak to their loved ones while in hospital.
Interested patients can contact their ward’s nursing staff to arrange a video call and borrow a tablet computer for this purpose. Patients should also speak to a member of nursing staff to obtain the login details needed to register on Jitsi Meet in order to launch their video call-based digital visit.
Rules for visitors and accompanying visitors

Case numbers continue to fall, and we appear to have passed the peak of the Omicron wave. As a result, Charité is updating its rules for visitors and accompanying visitors.
From 7 March 2022, inpatients will once again be permitted to receive one visitor per day, for a maximum of one hour. Critically ill patients will be exempt from this restriction.
Outpatients, day case patients and patients attending Charité’s emergency departments may bring one accompanying visitor.
All visitors and accompanying visitors must provide proof of a negative rapid antigen test result obtained on the day of their visit.
The aim of these rules is to prevent the virus from entering and spreading through Charité, and to optimize the level of protection in place both for Charité staff and for particularly vulnerable patients with severe underlying medical conditions.
What these new rules mean in practice:
- Only individuals with a negative rapid antigen test result will be permitted to visit or accompany patients. This rule also applies to fully vaccinated and recovered individuals. To be considered valid, the negative test result must be no older than 24 hours. This testing requirement also applies to children above the age of 5 and to adolescents. Presentation of the child’s student ID card will not be sufficient. Asymptomatic children aged 5 or younger will not require proof of testing.
- To gain admission to hospital grounds, all visitors will be asked to show proof of a negative test result, in addition to an identity card or passport. Visitors will then be issued with a visitor pass or visitor armband and granted admission to Charité premises. Visitors who are unable to produce a visitor pass or armband will be asked to leave the premises immediately.
- Children and adolescents under the age of 19 who are being accompanied by a parent or carer during their stay may continue to receive one visitor (another parent or carer) for up to one hour every day. Exceptions may be made in certain circumstances, subject to discussion with the ward’s clinical and nursing managers.
The following rules remain unchanged:
- Mask mandate and distancing rules: Visitors and accompanying visitors must wear FFP2 masks (without a valve) at all times while inside Charité buildings and maintain a minimum distance of 1.5 meters from others whenever possible, including when outside.
- Individuals with symptoms of respiratory infection will not be permitted within any Charité buildings.
Please bring your identity card or passport with you to your scheduled visit. These will be checked at the entrance and your details recorded. You will then be issued with a visitor pass or visitor armband and granted admission to the hospital grounds.
Visitors are advised that checks at entrances may result in delays. We apologize for any inconvenience caused. To minimize delays, please ensure that you have all required documentation ready for inspection.
FFP2 masks are compulsory

In line with the tighter rules on mask use issued by the Senate of Berlin, Charité has amended its rules for visitors and patients. The wearing of surgical masks will no longer be permitted.
- All patients must wear an FFP2 mask when leaving their rooms and while others are present in their (single or shared) rooms.
- FFP2 masks will be compulsory for all visitors wishing to visit family members in hospital.
Our video demonstrates how to use masks which cover the mouth and nose correctly.
Access points to the Charité campuses
Safety measures have been implemented in response to the coronavirus crisis to restrict access across all Charité campuses. Please consult the location maps below to find out which entrances you can use to access campuses and buildings.
- Campus Benjamin Franklin (CBF)
- Campus Charité Mitte (CCM)
- Campus Virchow-Klinikum (CVK)
Visitors are advised that checks at entrances may result in delays. We apologize for any inconvenience caused. To minimize delays, please ensure that you have all required documentation ready for inspection.
Digital visits via video call
While medical care is essential to a patient’s recovery, contact with loved ones also plays an important role. Ensuring that our patients remain in touch with their families during their stay at Charité is very important to us, especially during these challenging times. We therefore offer a video call service which enables our patients to see and speak to their loved ones while in hospital.
Interested patients can contact their ward’s nursing staff to arrange a video call and borrow a tablet computer for this purpose. Patients should also speak to a member of nursing staff to obtain the login details needed to register on Jitsi Meet in order to launch their video call-based digital visit.
Preventing infection – Protecting yourself and others
Everyone can do their bit to ensure we keep one another safe. We are doing everything we can to protect our patients, visitors and our staff against infection with the coronavirus. Please also adhere to the following rules, which serve to protect you and others against infection. Thank you!
Wear a face mask
Even if you are vaccinated: Always wear a mask when others are present and whenever you leave your room.
Our video demonstrates how to use masks which cover the mouth and nose correctly.
Video: How to use masks which cover the mouth and nose correctly

- Why is it important to use face masks in hospitals?
- What needs to be considered when putting on and wearing face masks?
- Can masks be reused?
- What rules must patients and visitors observe while using Charité’s inpatient and outpatient areas?
Our video provides you with the answers to these questions.
You are worried you may have an infection. What to do?
Charité’s coronavirus-related news from the fields of medicine and research
Press release
25.01.2022
Corona: New Insights into Antibody Response against Viral Variants
Press release
22.12.2021
Charité experts support Colombian SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic efforts
Scientists aim to gain better insight into infection levels among refugees and migrants
Press release
25.10.2021
Nature article: SARS-CoV-2 disrupts timing of immune response
Press release
13.09.2021
COVID-19: What is driving the escalating hyperinflammation
Study published in Nature suggests novel treatment option
Press release
31.08.2021
Prior exposure to common cold coronaviruses enhances immune response to SARS-CoV-2