Coronavirus (COVID-19) information

• DVC (Research) update: 31 March
  
• Vice-Chancellor update: 27 March
• DVC (Students) update: 27 March
  
• DVC (Research) update: 27 March
  
• Changes to Library spaces: 25 March
• DVC (Students) update: 24 March
• Virtual Town Hall livestream: 25 March
  
• Campus retail and services update: 23 March
• Social distancing and working from home: 20 March
• Strong start for online uptake: 20 March
• Staff leave: 18 March
  
• Positive COVID-19 notification at Flinders University: 18 March
• Vice-Chancellor update: 16 March
• DVC (Students) update: 16 March

What is the novel coronavirus COVID-19?

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 Organization has formally named it COVID-19 (a shortened form of Coronavirus disease - 2019)

What are the symptoms of COVID-19 infection?

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).

What should I do if I have some of the symptoms of COVID-19?

• 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) returned from overseas or have spent time with someone recently arrived or diagnosed with COVID-19. This will assist the doctor to manage your appointment appropriately. 

How can I protect myself against COVID-19?

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.
• Avoid touching your face as much as possible.
  
• 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.

We have also installed hand sanitiser dispensers at Bedford Park, Sturt and Tonsley campuses. See below.

Is there hand sanitiser on campus for me to use?

We have made hand sanitiser available at the locations listed below at Bedford Park, Sturt and Tonsley.

Are there quarantine requirements regarding students and staff returning from high risk areas?

Australia’s borders are now closed. Only Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members can travel to Australia.

If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you and your immediate family members can return to Australia.

Changes from 11.59pm Saturday 28 March

From 11:59pm on Saturday 28 March 2020, all travellers arriving in Australia via air or seaports must undergo 14 days of isolation in the city of their arrival.

At overseas airports, Australian Border Force liaison officers will work with airlines to identify travellers who should not board flights.

The Australian Government will provide accommodation for the quarantine period.

If your final destination is in a different state or territory, you must still complete your quarantine in the state or territory you arrived in, before returning home.

States and territories will enforce these requirements with support from the Australian Government. This includes the Australian Defence Force and the Australian Border Force, if needed.

View more information.

What does self-isolation mean if I do not live alone?

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. 

What happens if I am being tested for COVID-19 infection?

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.

Where can I get accurate information about the global situation?

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

What should I do if I notice a staff member or student not complying with Health Department advice regarding quarantine?

• 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.

Should pregnant staff or students take any other precautions?

Currently we believe there is currently no evidence that pregnant women are more at risk, as long as they are otherwise healthy. If any pregnant staff or students have concerns, we can arrange specialist advice.

Pregnant women, like others, should engage in usual preventive actions to avoid infection, like avoiding people who are sick with infectious illnesses, avoid touching of the face, mouth, nose and eyes with unclean hands and practicing good hand hygiene, covering coughs and sneezes and wiping down surfaces.

What are the current limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings?

The National Cabinet agreed that from 30 March 2020 there will be a limit to both indoor and outdoor gatherings of two persons only.

Exceptions to this limit include:

• people of the same household going out together
• funerals - a maximum of 10 people
• weddings - a maximum of 5 people
• family units. 

Individual states and territories may choose to mandate and/or enforce this requirement. 

National Cabinet’s strong guidance to all Australians is to stay home unless for:

• shopping for what you need - food and necessary supplies
• medical or health care needs, including compassionate requirements
• exercise in compliance with the public gathering requirements
• work and study if you can’t work or learn remotely.

National Cabinet agreed that playgrounds, skate parks and outside gyms in public places will be closed. Bootcamps will be reduced to two persons, including the trainer. 

Read more here.

I am experiencing stress or anxiety regarding the virus. Can I talk to someone?

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.

How are we addressing the impact of these changes and social isolation on mental health among staff and students?

While our campus facilities are still available for students, such as our computer laboratories and study spaces – we understand the significant changes on campus may leave staff and students feeling isolated or alone.

We have a range of support services for students online, including our Online Hub and the Flinders Support Network and we invite students to reach out if they would like to discuss any concerns or speak generally about how they're feeling.

Flinders staff are invited to visit our health and wellbeing page which contains information on our Employee Assistance Program and tips for looking after their mental health during this time.

What contingencies are in place for parents if childcare is shut down for children to attend, or schools are closed and we have no other childcare options?

The University understands that students with children face unique challenges. We need to be flexible with course requirements such as face to face attendance in these circumstances. Please contact your topic coordinator or supervisor and discuss your challenges in the event that childcare / school is closed.

Am I covered by travel insurance if I have to cancel my flights or book flights out of a high-risk country?

The University’s travel insurers have advised that COVID-19 is now considered a ‘known event’ for all countries, which means claims for costs relating to COVID-19 are unlikely to be covered by the University’s travel insurance.

Australia’s borders are now closed. Only Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members can travel to Australia. There is also a ban on all overseas travel, with few exceptions.

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.

• Students - further information about travel insurance.
• Staff - further information about travel insurance.

More information about staff travel insurance.

What if a staff member is unable to return from abroad?

There are currently unprecedented numbers of Australians trying to make their way home. Most countries still have arrangements in place to allow Australians to leave. But in many cases, the window of opportunity to do so is closing. If you want to come back to Australia, and commercial flights are available, take them as soon as possible. 

Please contact your supervisor who will liaise with People and Culture and consider the options in regards to your particular situation. Please also email coronavirus@flinders.edu.au

Should I be working from home from now on?

By Monday, 6 April, those staff who can work safely and effectively from home should do so.

To ensure working arrangements for staff are managed safely and appropriately, the following conditions apply: 

1. Staff must complete the Temporary Working from Home Agreement and Work Health and Safety Checklist and obtain the necessary approvals of their supervisor and manager. Supervisors and managers must confirm that the work is both required and can be undertaken safely and effectively at home.
   
2. Some staff will be deemed by their manager to be required on campus and as such will be required to work as directed at one or more of our campus facilities.
   
3. Staff who have been approved to work from home may subsequently be deemed to be required on campus by their manager, and be required to attend campus, even at short notice, in order to meet operational requirements.
   
4. There will be some staff, as identified by supervisors and managers, who are not required on campus under the prevailing circumstances and whose duties cannot be effectively delivered from home. 

In such circumstances, the University will attempt to find suitable alternative work. If, by 6 April, no suitable work is available, those staff will have access to their 10 days Special Paid Leave after which any accrued Annual Leave or Long-Service Leave can be accessed.

The University will work with individual colleagues on a case-by-case basis to allow flexible access to their leave on a Full-Time or Part-Time basis so as to maximise their financial security.

Staff who have exhausted their accrued Annual Leave and Long Service Leave will be allowed to accumulate a negative leave balance with up to 5 days Annual Leave plus 5 days Personal Leave.

What does this mean for casual staff?

When considering working from home arrangements for rostered casual staff, supervisors and managers will assess whether the work is now needed against the essential criteria of delivering teaching and research and provision of essential operational requirements. Where the work is no longer required, the casual staff member will be advised and where eligible (i.e. those casual staff rostered before 18 March) can then access the 10 days of Special Paid Leave.

Your People and Culture Business Partner can provide further advice as necessary.

Do I need to take leave if I need to isolate myself?

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.

View more information on leave and working from home.

Is Flinders Sport & Fitness open?

Flinders Sport & Fitness is now closed. This is in line with the advice and actions of the Federal Government

Are there any prayer rooms open?

Oasis and the prayer rooms at Tonsley, Sturt and McHughs are now close. This is in line with the advice and actions of the Federal Government.

Is UniSuper still available for consultations?

UniSuper is replacing face-to-face appointments with video and phone meetings—a service they have already offered to some members in more remote locations. All UniSuper campus and city offices are closed to members until further notice. Read more about UniSuper's response to COVID-19, and how to book an appointment.