Last update 2 May 2022
Flinders University continues to closely monitor the national COVID-19 trajectory to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of our community in SA, the NT and elsewhere.
Latest information about COVID-19 for South Australia can be found on the SA Health website.
If you’re at one of our Northern Territory locations please check advice from NT Health.
The latest advice for each State and Territory is available at the following links: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, WA, Tasmania and the ACT .
Wherever you are, it’s important to maintain safe physical distances, practice thorough hygiene, and if unwell stay at home, arrange to have a COVID test and self-isolate until you receive a negative result.
If you are deemed a close contact of a positive case, please isolate and get tested as advised by your local health department. Close contact requirements for SA and NT are available on their respective websites: SA Health, NT Health.
Close contact reporting
Staff who have been in close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case should speak to their supervisor, and where possible use online alternatives to reduce contact with others.
However, if close contacts need to attend our campuses, they can continue to do so provided they have no symptoms, a mask is worn, regular RATs are conducted, and the University is notified.
To ease the reporting process for close contacts an online form is available here. Simply fill out the declaration and submit. It’s also suggested College or divisional supervisors are kept informed. Should you go on to test positive, please stay home and advise your supervisor and WHS via whs@flinders.edu.au.
Face masks are no longer required to be worn indoors while on campus.
The University continues to support staff who choose to wear them.
We understand staff may wish to request mask wearing in situations in which students and staff are required to be in close personal contact in indoor locations. Although this will remain a personal choice for staff and students, as a community we should be supportive of this, and a small supply of masks has been provided to Colleges for use in such circumstances.
Please remember that masks continue to be mandatory in a range of settings including health care, disability care and aged care and if people are close contacts.
Close contact reporting
Staff who have been in close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case should speak to their supervisor, and where possible use online alternatives to reduce contact with others.
However, if close contacts need to attend our campuses, they can continue to do so provided they have no symptoms, a mask is worn, regular RATs are conducted, and the University is notified.
To ease the reporting process for close contacts an online form is available here. Simply fill out the declaration and submit. It’s also suggested College or divisional supervisors are kept informed. Should you go on to test positive, please stay home and advise your supervisor and WHS via whs@flinders.edu.au.
Change to quarantine
For 7 days following exposure close contacts are required to:
- Undertake 5 rapid antigen tests during the 7-day period
- Wear masks when leaving the house
- Be prohibited from high-risk (now referred to as sensitive) settings
- Notify employers and educational facilities of their close contact status
- Strongly recommended you do not attend non-essential gatherings
- If you do subsequently develop symptoms and test positive you must then isolate as per SA Health requirements
Flinders is renowned for rich and engaging learning experiences. Our campuses remain open, and we’re offering our students opportunities for on-campus learning and activities, augmented by online learning. Please plan your courses to include an online alternative to accommodate those who are unable to attend campus.
Evidence of vaccination, or a negative Rapid Antigen Test result within the preceding 3 days, is now required of staff attending all Flinders locations. When on campus masks should be worn indoors, unless medically exempt, and physical distancing of at least 1.5m should be maintained. Regularly and thoroughly sanitise your hands and things you touch, and do not come to campus if you become unwell or develop symptoms of COVID-19.
Vaccinations remain the most effective means of reducing harm from COVID-19. Flinders University strongly encourages anyone who can get vaccinated or is eligible for a booster to please do so.
Flinders University’s Health Service offers first, second and booster COVID-19 vaccinations to Medicare card holders.
Please call 8201 2118 to make an appointment.
Flinders University staff and student COVID-19 survey
From 11-17 November Flinders University invited staff and students to share their position on vaccination via a survey. 3868 participants responded with the following results:
- 92% of survey respondents are vaccinated or are intending to be vaccinated/have an appointment.
- 87% of survey respondents believe it is important for all South Australians to be vaccinated.
- 76% of survey respondents feel more comfortable coming to campus if others are vaccinated.
- 72% of survey respondents would support Flinders University requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for on-campus staff and students.
Flinders is renowned for rich and engaging learning experiences. Our campuses will remain open, and we intend to offer opportunities for all students to have some on-campus learning if they choose. These on-campus activities will be augmented by online learning.
Staff will need to plan their courses to provide an online alternative to accommodate students who are unable to attend campus, or to ensure continuity during self-isolation. Students are being directed to look at their FLO Topic site for information so staff should update these to reflect the teaching arrangements for the semester.
All on campus activities must adhere to strict COVID-19 safety practices including mask wearing at all times indoors, physical distancing, observance of thorough hygiene and careful recording of attendees.
- Masks are to be worn in all indoor areas.
- Please remember that some people may be unable to wear masks due to a medical condition or disability. By wearing a mask, you are helping create a safer environment for those who cannot.
- Visit the SA Government website for a full list of reasons why a person may not be required to wear a mask.
- Maintain social distancing wherever possible, keeping at least 1.5m between yourself and others
- Good hand hygiene with regular hand washing and the use of hand sanitizer will reduce any risk of transmission.
- Do not attend work or come on campus if you are unwell or have any COVID-19 symptoms.
- Supervisors of work areas in which staff cannot achieve a physical distancing of 1.5m should contact WHS to discuss alternatives.
- If you develop symptoms of COVID-19 then please get tested as soon as possible and self-isolate until you receive a negative test result.
- The University’s response to TTIQ requirements will be centrally managed by our Work, Health and Safety area. WHS will be responsible for communicating with SA Health, and SA Health will notify anyone whom they consider having been at any risk of exposure.
Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042
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