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Thursday, 30 January 2020

Dear colleagues,

The University is continuing to closely monitor the coronavirus outbreak as the safety and wellbeing of the UWA community always remains paramount.

We have a coordinated, senior response team in place and we are actively engaging with students and staff impacted by this situation.

UWA has established a coronavirus FAQ website where you can find the latest official health and travel advice and support information for our students and staff. For all enquiries or concerns please contact [email protected]

What health advice has changed?

Late yesterday afternoon Australia’s Chief Medical Officer announced the following changes to Australia’s current health advice:

  • People who have been in contact with any confirmed novel coronavirus cases must be isolated in their home for 14 days following exposure;
  • Returned travellers who have been in Hubei Province of China must be isolated in their home for 14 days after leaving Hubei Province, other than for seeking individual medical care.

The University is in active contact with our students in China who are directly impacted by this situation. We are working with teams across the University, at the highest level to ensure the safety of the UWA community and minimise disruption to our staff and students.

UWA is also working with residential colleges to ensure we have plans in place to support students living on campus.

What is the advice for people experiencing symptoms?

This advice remains the same:

  • If you experience symptoms you are encouraged to remain at home or place of accommodation and immediately contact a healthcare provider by telephone (not online), and inform them of the travel history and your symptoms.
  • Do not attend a medical centre, clinic or surgery in person without an appointment. This is to enable reasonable precautions to be put into place for your visit and reduce risk to other patients.

What travel advice has changed?

DFAT has increased the travel risk rating to China Level 3: Reconsider your need to travel .  At Level 3, there are serious and potentially life-threatening risks. This can make the destination unsafe for tourism and unsuitable for most travellers. The advice is to check that your insurer will cover you. Please continue to the advice of Smartraveller .

On this basis all travel to China on University Business (including layovers), is suspended immediately and until further notice.

This situation will continue to be closely monitored and the University will continue to remain in regular communications with DFAT.

We will work UWA travellers currently in country to support their safety.

Where can I find out UWA specific information relating to coronavirus?

  • Visit UWA’s coronavirus FAQ website to follow the latest official health and travel advice and support information for our students and staff.

Where can I find out further advice relating to coronavirus?

Regards

Robert Webster
Chief Operating Officer

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