Coronavirus information

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). They are found worldwide in humans and animals.

A novel coronavirus (CoV) is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans. This novel coronavirus is closely related to SARS (hence the virus has been described as SARS-CoV-2). The World Health Organisation has formally named it COVID-19 (a shortened form of Coronavirus disease - 2019)

Symptoms include (but are not limited to):

• fever,
• cough,
• fatigue,
• shortness of breath,
• rapid breathing,
• sore throat, and
• runny nose.

Occasionally only gastrointestinal symptoms are present (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea).

• If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above and are concerned it could be related to COVID-19 please phone your doctor or the Flinders University Health, Counselling and Disability Service Centre on 8201 2118 (weekdays 8.45am to 5pm).  
• SA Health advise that you should tell your doctor or health clinic when making your appointment that it is related to COVID-19 and you have recently (within 14 days) arrived from China or have spent time with someone recently arrived or diagnosed with COVID-19. This will assist the doctor to manage your appointment appropriately. 

Precautions advised by public health experts include:

• Frequently cleaning hands with soap and warm water, or where unavailable an alcohol-based hand rub.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover the mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue – throw the tissue away immediately and wash your hands.
• If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention early and share your recent travel history with your health care provider when making your appointment.
  

The Commonwealth Department of Health advises that:

• Travellers who have left, or transited through mainland China on or after 1 February 2020, must isolate themselves in their home until 14 days has elapsed since they left mainland China.
• People who have been in contact with any confirmed cases of COVID-19 virus infection must isolate themselves in their home until 14 days have elapsed since exposure.
• Travellers who have been only to Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan do not need to self-isolate.

If the 14 days elapse and no symptoms have arisen then students or staff are free to resume normal activities and attend classes.

If you are affected by quarantine requirements and unable to attend classes, please call our International Student Services on +61 8 8201 2717 or email us so we can assist you.

If you are a student in shared accommodation, please notify your accommodation provider immediately who will be able to assist with the isolation requirements.

The South Australian Centre for Disease Control (SACDC) advises that self-isolation does not affect any other person you live with unless they also meet the criteria above. The advice is that your family or housemates do not need to self-isolate.

The SACDC advises those in self-isolation should not attend public places and not allow visitors to their home or residence. They should wear a surgical mask when using common areas in the house and should practice good hygiene.

If the isolated person needs to go out of their home they are advised to wear a surgical mask. 

You will need to follow the advice of your doctor and where required the SA Health Department. If you are advised by your doctor or SA Health not to attend University for a period of time, please contact your College or supervisor.

Test results will usually be available within approximately 24 hours.

Flinders University offers services for students and staff seeking support

• Students can contact our Health, Counselling and Disability Service Centre on 8201 2118 or the Out of Hours Crisis Service on 1300 512 409 04 text 0488 884 103.
• Staff can access support via the University’s Employee Assistance Program

Remember, if you have symptoms please phone your doctor or the University’s health service in the first instance.

If you have seen a doctor and have been advised to undertake self-isolation, counselling support can be accessed by phone.

The World Health Organisation is monitoring and managing this virus outbreak with global health authorities. Information can be accessed from the Department of Health  or the World Health Organisation.

If your arrival has been delayed or you are affected by quarantine requirements, please call our International Student Services on +61 8 8201 2717 or email us so we can assist you.

If you have not already, please enrol online and call our International Student Services on +61 8 8201 2717 or email us so we can assist you.

Regular classes are continuing as normal at Flinders. If you are required to self-isolate based on the criteria outlined in the Department of Health advice, you will not be penalised.

We have also extended the last date when students from mainland China can arrive for Semester One to 31 March and we will provide additional classes for these students when they arrive.  

In many courses we are providing access to online study and providing help to students and staff to do so.

In some courses we are able to offer students an intensive study period starting in late April in which they can complete all of their Semester One study before the start of Semester Two.

Please call our International Student Services on +61 8 8201 2717 or email us so we can assist you.

O’Week will continue as planned. Students who are unable to attend will be able to catch up on some sessions and information via online resources and recordings.

For our students who have been unable to come to Australia alternative study options have been developed so they can study this semester and we have additional supports in place to assist them to do so. 

Our Colleges and International Student Services are providing advice to affected students about specific arrangements for them, including online study. 

Staff should phone their supervisor to notify absence from work for the purpose of self-isolation, and discuss if there is work that could reasonably be undertaken while isolated. If this is not possible then your supervisor will need to liaise with People and Culture for options to manage your absence from work.

• If you are the supervisor of the staff member you should seek advice from People and Culture.
• If you are not the supervisor of the staff member then you should bring your concerns to the supervisor of the staff member.
• Staff may talk to a student or colleague in regards to their welfare, and to ensure they are aware of the current advice, however there are many conditions that cause cold or flu-like symptoms.

Please contact your supervisor who will liaise with People and Culture and consider the options in regards to your particular situation.

For staff and students travelling on behalf of the University on University-approved activities:

• Any travel to/from Hubei Province booked after 22 January will not be covered by insurance.
• Any travel to/from mainland China booked after 2 February will not be covered by insurance.
• Claims for cancellation costs will be assessed by the insurer on merit and will depend on a number of factors, including the date the travel was booked, the date the travel was cancelled and the travel date.  For example, cancellations where the travel date is more than 4 weeks away may not be covered.  For more information, please email riskandinsurance@flinders.edu.au.

For staff and students’ personal travel, the University’s travel insurance does not apply.  Check with your travel insurance provider and contact your travel agent or airline for refunds, rebooking fees, etc.