Coronavirus and Children – When Your Child Must Stay at Home

As a general rule, if the child has a fever (over 38.5 °C) they should stay at home, as this potentially points to an infection. If the child has symptoms such as a fever, a dry cough, breathing difficulties, a sore throat, a loss of smell/taste, or muscle and joint pains, you should consult a doctor. Because of the common nature of colds and runny noses among children, the Ministry for Children, Family, Refugees and Integration of North Rhine-Westphalia recommends that the child be supervised at home for 24 hours. If no further symptoms occur, the child can return to the daycare facility. Further information can be found in the recommendations for dealing with symptoms of illness (German).

It is generally possible to take time off work for childcare due to your child being in quarantine.

You can find more information in our FAQ on reconciling corona and care work. Link, wenn Seite fertig
Application for leave from work to care for children due to the coronavirus (German)

If the daycare facility is under quarantine, this means above all else that everything possible is being done to protect your child. Often COVID-19 infections are detected early enough and the daycare facility can return to normal once the period of quarantine is over.But frequently the daycare facility being placed under quarantine means that alternative childcare needs to be arranged. Organizing childcare in emergencies at short notice is not always easy.
For employees of Forschungszentrum Jülich (and all branch offices), the services of pme Familienservice is available.

This service offers virtual and offline childcare services: In addition to virtual events, it is also possible to book a wide range of services such as holiday and emergency holiday care for children from the age of 3.

The service provider is also personally available to support parents with individual concerns.
More information about the new service provider pme Familienservice

Not being able to see friends, visit the playground, or generally go outside for a long period is a very stressful situation for many children that disrupts their usual routine. "COVID-19: Tipps für Eltern", an information sheet published in German by the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK), provides a number of tips on this subject.

Parents in contact with anyone who is in quarantine or who is awaiting a test (mandated by health officials or recommended by a doctor) count as contact persons and should switch to working from home. Working from home while in isolation does not equate to a form of quarantine. Parents who are affected must inform the Safety Control Centre immediately on 02461 61-5222 (available 24/7). For further Information see Corona: regulations and info or the FAQ on combining work and family in adjusted normal operations. Links!

For single parents or parents with shared custody, all these situations can be twice as stressful. Helpful information on this can be found on the website of the Association of Single Mothers and Fathers NRW (VAMV NRW). The Corona crisis hotline for single parents set up by the VAMV NRW can be reached at 0201 82774-799.