COVID-19

COVID-19 advice for the QUT community

Information updated: Thursday 28 May, 9am (AEST)

As part of QUT's commitment to our community's health and safety we are monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely and following all the relevant advice from government agencies and global organisations.

This page provides advice and information about support available to QUT staff and students. The page will be updated as needed.

• The Australian Government recommends all Australian citizens and residents return to Australia and has banned all overseas travel from Australia at this time.
• The Australian Government on 27 March 2020 advised that any person landing in Australia after midnight on Saturday 28 March 2020 would be forced to self-isolate in hotels or other accommodation for 14 days before returning home.
• Since 20 March 2020, only Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate families have been permitted entry into Australia and have been required to self-isolate for 14 days. Certain travel exemptions apply to New Zealanders and Pacific Islanders. Read the advice issued by the Department of Home Affairs and the Department of Health.
• Queensland state borders closed at midnight on Wednesday 25 March. Anyone entering the state after this time is subject to a mandatory 14-day isolation period. Further restrictions from Friday 3 April mean only Queensland residents and those considered exempt persons can enter the state.

Support for students
QUT has directed additional budget support towards The Emergency Student Fund that provides $1,000 to eligible students experiencing financial hardship. If you are in a position to assist, please join our QUT executives, other staff and alumni in making a donation. As well, we have established a dedicated International student COVID-19 hardship fund.

FAQs

What is COVID-19?

A new strain of coronavirus (officially named Corona Virus Disease COVID-19 by the World Health Organization) was identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province in China, in January 2020. It belongs to a large family of viruses that can cause illnesses similar to a common cold, and also more serious disease, such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

How is COVID-19 spread?

Scientists are working to understand more about COVID-19. Similar viruses spread from person-to-person through cough and sneeze droplets or touching an infected person.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms can include fever, flu-like illness such as a cough, sore throat and headaches, and difficulty breathing. Authorities believe it can take up to 14 days after exposure for symptoms to develop, and people may be contagious before showing symptoms.

Who is most at risk?

The elderly and people with underlying health problems or compromised immune systems may be at particular risk.

Is there a specific treatment for COVID-19?

There is no specific treatment for this new strain of coronavirus. Australian scientists are among those working around the world to develop a vaccine. Symptoms can be treated with supportive medical care.

What should I do if I experience symptoms?

Anyone who experiences flu-like symptoms, fever or difficulty breathing should seek medical advice or visit a GP immediately. People should call ahead and advise of their symptoms and their recent travel.

How can I protect myself and others?

One easy and effective way to help protect against transmission of COVID-19 and other infections is to maintain good personal hygiene standards.

• If you begin to exhibit any symptoms such as fever, a dry cough or fatigue, you should contact your GP or call 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84). If you have breathing difficulties call 000 and advise the operator you have flu-like symptoms.
• Stay at home if you are unwell.

To reduce the spread of infection to yourself and others, health authorities recommend to wash your hands frequently with soap and water. As a minimum, handwashing should occur:

• when you arrive at work
• when you arrive home
• after you have disembarked public transport or entered/exited a public space
• before and after preparing or eating food
• after sneezing or coughing – use a facial tissue or the crook of your elbow to minimise droplet spread
• after using the toilet/washroom
• during normal daily activities where your hands are in contact with many different surfaces, such as shared equipment
• once your hands are washed, please dry them thoroughly using a hand air dryer or paper towels.

If you are on campus but in a location where you are unable to wash your hands with soap and water, then please use a hand sanitiser – the university has 200 alcohol-based hand rub dispensers placed across our Gardens Point and Kelvin Grove campuses.

More information from the Department of Health.

What is social distancing?

Social distancing means reducing close contact between yourself and others.

Some of the measure you can take are:

• to stay at home and away from others if you are unwell
• if you feel a cough or sneeze coming on, move away from others
• stay at least 1.5m away from other people as much as you can (e.g. in meeting rooms, lifts, common areas)
• large gatherings should be rescheduled, staggered or cancelled
• don't greet people with a handshake, hug or kiss
• hold meetings via video conferencing, phone call or outside in the open air, where possible
• use stairs as an alternative to the lift.

Watch the Department of Health social distancing video and find more information in the guidance on social distancing.

To reduce risks of COVID-19 transmission, the Australian Government has introduced restrictions on outdoor and indoor non-essential gatherings, which are being enforced by the Queensland Government.

Essential gatherings include university activities where students and staff cannot study or work from home. Social distancing and good hygiene practices at essential gatherings must be followed.

What does self-isolation mean?

Except to get medical care, you should not attend public places, work, school, childcare or university. Only people who usually live in the household should be in the home. Do not allow visitors into the home. Where possible, have other people get food and other necessities for you. If you need support organising essential food and medicines while you are self-isolating, the Queensland Government has set up a dedicated hotline for Queenslanders, on 1800 173 349.  More information on self-isolation.

What medical help is available at QUT?

The QUT Medical Centre can be contacted on 07 3138 2321 (Gardens Point) or 07 3138 3161 (Kelvin Grove) from Monday-Friday between 8:30am and 5:00pm. The Medibank OSHC Health and Support Line can also be contacted on 1800 887 283.

Can I visit QUT campuses and facilities?

Students and staff who cannot study or do their work from home are able to attend QUT campuses and facilities, and QUT libraries and computer labs remain open.

The Sphere at our Kelvin Grove campus, and at Gardens Point The Cube, QUT Art Museum, William Robinson Gallery, Old Government House and the Gardens Theatre are closed to visitors until further notice.

The two main campus locations open to receive deliveries are:

• Gardens Point: ChemStore, Level 1, Room 133, Q Block, Lamington Drive, Brisbane 4000
• Kelvin Grove: QUT's Logistics Centre, F Block, Level 1, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove 4059.

All students, staff and visitors to our campuses and facilities must follow government directions on social distancing and good hygiene practices.

Will QUT change its payment terms for suppliers that may be facing financial hardship?

QUT will act fairly and reasonably to support our suppliers. Where immediate payment cannot be made by QUT corporate credit card, the university will consider requests for shorter invoice payment terms on a case-by-case basis.

QUT Procurement will liaise directly with suppliers and key stakeholders to assess early payments. Suppliers can email procurement@qut.edu.au.

Can I access QUT Library and library services?

All QUT branch libraries remain open. You can chat to a librarian via phone, email or online. If you need more information or would like help, please contact QUT Library.

Should I wear a face mask?

The Department of Health advises that using surgical masks in the community is only helpful in preventing people who have COVID-19 disease from spreading it to others. There is little evidence that widespread use of surgical masks in healthy people prevents transmission in public, so if you are well, the advice is you do not need to wear a surgical mask. In line with this advice, masks are not needed in day-to-day activities around QUT and at this time, QUT will not be providing face masks to staff or students.

What are the main myths or fake news about COVID-19?

Misinformation and fear about COVID-19 have been spreading quickly on the Internet and social media. Here is the latest advice for the public by Queensland Health.

Where can I get further information?

• Federal Department of Health

• Queensland Health

• Smartraveller

• DFAT

• World Health Organization