As many of you would be aware there have been several updates to the COVID-19 situation in Perth and Peel over the weekend. On Saturday, Premier Mark McGowan announced that there were three new cases of community transmission in Perth, and masks are now to be worn indoors and outdoors until the situation is next reviewed. There were no further cases of community transmission today.
As we advised you on Friday, universities may now re-open with teaching returning to the Semester One timetable, and research is able to continue. We have been advised by the Health Department and the Police this afternoon that this advice remains current for now. Please see the COVID Update issued on Friday here.
In summary:
- All students should check the list of potential exposure locations. If you have been in any of the listed locations you must be tested for COVID-19 and self-isolate until you receive a health clearance.
- You will see a number of posters around campus reminding you to wear your face mask at all times, except when eating, drinking or teaching. Guidance around the use of face masks at Curtin, including exceptions from use, can be found here. You are also reminded that you need to wear face masks and physically distance if you travel outside the Perth/Peel regions during this period.
- Do not come on to campus if you are unwell or waiting for the results of a COVID-19 test. Any suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 must be reported to Curtin’s Safer Community Team immediately on 9266 4444.
- Physical distancing and good personal hygiene measures must be maintained at all Curtin sites and the ongoing use of contact registers and the SafeWA app is critical to quickly containing potential COVID outbreaks.
- All campus users must continue to scan in or sign the contact register where the SafeWA QR code is displayed. It is more important than ever for us not to become complacent about this.
- Continue to use the two square metre rule as a useful guide to appropriate physical distancing. It is important that staff and students keep their distance from each other wherever possible, including in teaching and learning and other work spaces, when queuing at food outlets, or moving around our campuses.
We will be working with student placement providers to agree on an approach to placements disrupted by the recent restrictions. Students who are unsure about their placement are encouraged to contact their placement coordinator to clarify their personal situation.
To see the COVID-19 protocols which will be in place in WA from 12.01am 1 May to 12.01am 8 May, please visit the State Government website.
