IMPORTANT UPDATE | CORONAVIRUS 3 Feb 2020
3rd Febuary 2020
To the UNE Community,
UNE is monitoring the evolving situation regarding the novel coronavirus , 2019-nCov that has originated in Wuhan City in China. The situation is constantly evolving.
As you may have heard, on Saturday 1 February the Australian Government issued new restrictions relating to the coronavirus:
- People travelling from mainland China, or transiting through mainland China, will not be permitted entry to Australia;
- Only Australian citizens, permanent residents, and their immediate family (dependents, legal guardians and spouses) returning from mainland China, or transiting through mainland China, will be allowed to enter Australia and will be required to isolate for 14 days;
- Australians are advised not to travel to mainland China.
We want to assure you that UNE is working as quickly as possible to respond to the changes, and plan for other possibilities.
Further isolation guidance has also been issued by the government. As of Saturday 1 February, students travelling from mainland China (not just Hubei province) must isolate themselves for 14 days from the day they leave mainland China:
Please see this document for all guidance
For students who may not be able to join us in person at the university for Semester One due to these restrictions, please do not worry. We are already working on options should these restrictions continue for some time.
As mentioned in our recent email, students, staff and the UNE community who have:
- Travelled to Hubei province, China, within the past 14 days, must isolate themselves for 14 days after leaving Hubei province
- Been in close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus, must isolate themselves for 14 days after last contact with the confirmed case.
UNE has arranged isolation accommodation on-campus in Armidale as a precaution for returning students who need this requirement and are unable to find a solution. Please email jwall@une.edu.au to register.
Isolation means staying at home or at your place of residence in Australia except when seeking medical assistance, not attending university and avoiding contact with others.
All other students are able to attend University as planned.
We will continue to keep you informed and work with you to ensure as much as possible your studies are not impacted.
Advice from NSW Health
NSW Health advises the best way to protect yourself is the same as you would against any respiratory infection. Practice good hygiene by:
- making sure to clean your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand rub
- cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with a tissue or a flexed elbow
- avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms
Travel Advice
DFAT has updated travel advice to Do Not Travel to China.
This message has been provided by Professor Peter Creamer | Chief Operating Officer, UNE
