COVID-19

COVID-19 advice for the QUT community

Information updated: Wednesday 1 April, 11am (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.

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. A gift of any size will help a student in need.

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.

What if I have had contact with someone who has confirmed COVID-19?

Anyone who has had contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case must self-isolate in their homes or accommodation for 14 days following exposure. Self-isolation means not accepting visitors. People who feel unwell should seek medical advice or visit a GP immediately, and call ahead and advise of their symptoms and recent travel.

I have to self-isolate, do the people I live with have to self-isolate too?

This depends on several factors:

• If you have arrived in Australia from March 16 2020 or if you think you have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 you are required to self-isolate for 14 days. Information on self-isolation states that you are to stay at home or in your accommodation and isolate yourself. Take precautions such as social distancing whilst self-isolating in a household. As long as you are asymptomatic and the people who you live do not meet the isolation criteria, they do not need to self-isolate.
• If you have been directed to self-isolate because you have come into contact with a confirmed case, and you are asymptomatic. Follow the directions provided by the Queensland Health public health unit assigned to you.
• If you are a suspected case and symptomatic isolate yourself within the house or your accommodation and wear a mask before accessing communal areas where other people are present and use frequently. Extra hygiene precautions must be followed. The Public Health Unit will be in touch with you and guide you and the other people living with you in what to do and who also may need to be self-isolating with you. The public health unit will be checking in with you regularly.

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.

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 or phone call
• hold essential meetings outside in the open air or provide a teleconferencing option, 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.

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.

What measures is QUT taking on its campuses?

With the evolving COVID-19 situation, the university’s primary focus is the health and wellbeing of both students and staff.

In line with advice, QUT is modifying and adapting its learning and teaching practices in a staged and coordinated approach across the university, including moving to livestreaming all lectures.

From 23 March 2020 there will be no student attendance at lectures for the remainder of Semester 1. Libraries, computer labs and student support areas will remain open.

The university has extended the semester break by a week, and when learning and teaching resumes on 20 April 2020, the university’s goal is to have the majority of learning and teaching activities in an online mode.

To support and encourage good hygiene practice across our campuses, QUT has distributed more than 200 alcohol-based hand rub dispensers to encourage students and staff healthy hygiene practices.

Can I visit QUT campuses and facilities?

QUT welcomes visitors to its campuses at Gardens Point and Kelvin Grove in Brisbane as usual. We request that you check and follow Department of Health advice for travellers and visitors.

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 the World Health Organization.

Where can I get further information?

• Federal Department of Health

• Queensland Health

• Smartraveller

• DFAT

• World Health Organization