Dear staff and students,
I write to confirm and reassure staff and students that the information and advice in my email yesterday is still accurate and current.
We have confirmed with SA Health this afternoon that their advice regarding Sturt has not changed.
SA Health has issued a clarifying statement this afternoon following their lunchtime press conference that people should refer to the advice on their website, which is up-to-date and accurate. SA Health has not foreshadowed any change to that advice. I will write and advise if that does change.
I do want to thank those staff and students who had been at Sturt between 13-28 November for getting tested promptly and for letting us know they are OK. Those staff and students are reporting that they have not had long to wait, either to get the test done, or to get the results. This is great news, and even better is that in all the test results we have heard of so far there are no positive cases.
I have reiterated below the advice I sent yesterday for ease of reference.
Sturt Campus
SA Health advise anyone who has visited the Flinders University Sturt Campus from Friday 13 to Saturday 28 November should seek testing immediately, even if you do not have any symptoms, and isolate until you get your results.
Sturt Campus refers to the buildings in the Sturt Precinct known as Sturt North, Sturt South, Sturt East and Sturt West, including the Sturt Café and Sturt Library, Health2Go, Sturt Gymnasium and FISC.
It does not include the Flinders Living Precinct, FMC or the North or South Ridge Precincts of the Bedford Park Campus.
SA Health also advise that those who are required to get tested do not need to self-quarantine if you receive a negative test result, however you should monitor for symptoms and get re-tested immediately if symptoms appear. Detailed information is on the SA Health website here.
Intensive English Language Institute
The SA Health website has more specific directions for people who visited the Intensive English Language Institute (IELI) between 13 to 28 November and information is available here. There are now 14 day quarantine requirements for the staff and students of IELI, but these do not apply for the Flinders staff and students at other parts of the Sturt precinct.
Links to specific SA Health Advice and Alerts:
Notice of closure – Sturt Campus closed until 2 December
All buildings on the Sturt Campus are closed until 8am on 2 December. This closure includes IELI itself, as well as Health2Go, FISC, Sturt Library and the Sturt Café. This is to ensure that a second round of deep cleaning can be completed throughout the area.
Studying and working from home
There is no change to the advice provided to staff and students who have not been to the Sturt Campus between 13-28 November.
Staff in SA are encouraged to work from home this coming week (30 November - 4 December) if able to do so and in consultation with their supervisor or manager.
Students are asked to only come to one of our South Australian campuses if they have a scheduled class activity or exam or need to access one of our services in person.
Ongoing updates, information and support
If you have any questions or concerns, please email them to coronavirus@flinders.edu.au.
Please check our staff and student websites for regular updates.
I realise that the rapidly changing nature of the situation may cause concern or worry for members of our community. Please remember that our student and staff support networks are available to you throughout this period.
Take care and look after each other,
Clare