COVID-19 advice

This page provides information and advice for the Curtin community. We encourage you to check this frequently for updated information.

Updated 28 February 2020 AWST.

Key points and government advice

The outbreak of the COVID-19 virus (previously known as novel coronavirus) has evolved rapidly since first being detected in Wuhan, in the Hubei Province of China in December 2019. The situation is still extremely fluid and Curtin is following Federal Government advice to protect the health and safety of our community.

As countries are responding in different ways to the COVID-19, procedures will differ among our campuses. The information provided here relates primarily to the Western Australia campuses and each Pro Vice-Chancellor will be communicating with the staff and students of their respective campus. Key points for the Curtin community in Australia are:

- Australia will deny entry to anyone who has left or transited mainland China from 1 February 2020 with the exception of:
  - Australian citizens
  - permanent residents
  - immediate family members of Australian citizens and permanent residents including spouses, minor dependants and legal guardians.

The travel ban will be reviewed on 7 March 2020

If people have travelled from Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan, they are not required to isolate themselves unless they have been in Hubei province in the last 14 days, or any part of mainland China on or after 1 February
People who have travelled to other countries from mainland China to see out the 14-day travel exclusion period, and who have had no recent contact with people with COVID-19, will be welcomed to Australia. Those who have spent more than 14 days in another country after leaving mainland China do not require quarantine, as long as they have not had contact with a confirmed case.
People who have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 must isolate themselves for 14 days after the last contact.

For further advice from the government regarding the impact on universities, read this information sheet.

Curtin is supporting staff and students affected by the travel bans or who must self-quarantine.

We understand that members of the Curtin community are concerned about this situation. Our Critical Incident Group chaired by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Seth Kunin includes expertise from across the University. The Group is monitoring the situation and the advice from the Government as part of developing Curtin’s response to the novel coronavirus. We will continue to update staff and students as new information becomes available, and take actions to protect the health and wellbeing of our community.