Dear student,
Advice and directions to the Flinders community in response to the current SA COVID-19 cluster.
The South Australian Premier has this afternoon announced new Advice and Directions designed to address the Parafield Gardens COVID-19 cluster. The advice and directions will come into effect from midnight tonight and are expected to apply for two weeks.
The State government is acting swiftly and decisively to ensure this outbreak is brought under control and we will do the same.
We continue to monitor developments very closely and will take additional measures as required.
The Premier has continued to prioritise education as an essential activity, and schools and universities will remain open.
University facilities and services
All our university facilities will remain open for the time-being, including our Libraries, College Offices and Student Service points.
The exception to this is our gym and sporting facilities. These are required to close from midnight tonight, and all sports training is cancelled for the next two weeks.
Studying from home
Whilst we will remain open, students are asked to follow the advice of the South Australian government and to only travel if necessary.
This means that you should not come to one of our South Australian campuses unless you need to attend a scheduled event such as an examination or class activity. These arrangements will be in place from 17-30 November unless advised otherwise.
If you are unwell you should not come to campus. If you have any symptoms of COVID-19 you should get tested and self-isolate until you get the results.
Students with increased vulnerability to COVID-19 should stay at home wherever possible. Advice on those people with increased vulnerability to COVID-19 is provided by the Federal Department of Health.
Our staff have also been asked to work from home where possible. Only those staff who are necessary to maintain our services will be coming to campus.
All events organised to occur between 17-30 November are to be cancelled or postponed to a later date.
Examinations
Examinations will continue for students so you can complete your assessments this semester. Examination rooms have been checked and all examinations will take place in rooms with allow for 4 square metres per person and 1.5 metres distance between people.
Masks
Masks are not required, but are recommended to be worn by students where physical distancing may be difficult. It is also suggested that you consider wearing masks in other public places to minimise potential risks.
Ongoing information and support
We will continue to provide and update general information on the student COVID-19 website.
If you need counselling support, call (08) 8201 2118 between 9am and 5pm on weekdays or email counselling@flinders.edu.au
If you need urgent crisis support outside business hours call 1300 512 409 or text 0488 884 103.
Information on all our other support services is available on our student website.
Finally
The Flinders University community has demonstrated its agility, cooperation and resilience earlier in this pandemic, and I have no doubt you will all rise to this fresh challenge. Our swift action and adherence to best practice will ensure that we do our part to help South Australia to overcome this outbreak as quickly and decisively as possible.
Stay safe and look out for each other.
Clare
Professor Clare Pollock