Updated COVIDSafe settings: Deakin is open, but continue to study from home if you can
While many restrictions have eased for fully vaccinated Australians, the ongoing impact of COVID-19 will shape how we live, work and study in 2022. It is important to know that while some risks remain, Victoria’s COVIDSafe settings and Deakin’s COVIDSafe requirements are designed to keep our entire community safe.
In response to increasing cases of the Omicron strain in the broader community, the government recently announced updates to Victoria’s Public Health Order and Victoria’s COVIDSafe settings, which will take effect from 11.59pm on Wednesday, 12 January 2022.
What do these changes mean for me?
The new COVIDSafe settings recommend all Victorians should study or work from home if they can. Deakin campuses remain open, and if you have a timetabled campus-based learning activities, these will continue to be offered on campus.
Deakin is committed to ensuring the health and safety of our students, staff, and University community. We will continue to comply with all Government directives and public health guidelines to keep our community safe while reintroducing more activities on campus when it is safe to do so.
Find out more about our COVIDSafe approach to on-campus teaching and learning, research, and services.
What are my responsibilities during this time?
We all have a responsibility and role to play in keeping each other safe during these changing circumstances. Here are some important things you need to know and do when you’re out in the community or come to campus.
Before you come to campus for the first time
In keeping with Victorian public health regulations, you must complete Deakin’s online COVID-19 Vaccination Status form and upload your digital vaccination certificate/other proof of your vaccination (or proof of your exemption) before attending a campus or another University site for the first time.
Every time you attend campus
It is essential you understand your responsibilities before you attend campus and remember you must adhere to the specified health guidelines each and every time you attend a Deakin site.
- Do not come to campus if you have any symptoms at all, however mild. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, chills or sweats, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, or loss or change in your sense of taste or smell. Self-check and stay home if you’re unwell – use the Symptom Checker, get tested and follow isolation guidance.
- Masks are mandated indoors, and where 1.5 physical distancing cannot be maintained outdoors.
- All students, staff, and visitors must check-in using the Service Victoria app and QR codes to access campus facilities and buildings.
- Maintain physical distancing, good hand hygiene and use the hand sanitiser available.
Getting tested
See the When to get tested guidelines to determine if you should be tested for COVID-19 and where you can go to have the test done.
Understand what to do if you test positive for COVID-19
While Victoria’s isolation rules have changed, some COVID-19 risks still remain, and it is important to know what to do if you test positive to COVID-19 or if you’ve been told you are a contact.
Follow this checklist if you have tested positive for COVID-19:
- Step 1: Focus on your health and get help if you need it.
- Step 2: Report your result and immediately isolate for seven days.
- Step 3: Tell your household and household-like contacts – they must isolate for seven days.
- Step 4: Tell your social contacts to get tested if they have symptoms.
- Step 5: Tell your workplace and/or education facility. An education facility is defined as schools, childcare or early childhood facilities and no longer includes universities.
Visit the Victorian Government’s Checklist for COVID cases webpage for more information.
Have you been exposed to COVID-19 through your contacts?
It is important you know what to do if you’ve been told you are a contact of someone with COVID-19. First, it is important to know what type of contact you are and follow the right advice for your situation.
Household or household-like contacts
- Applies if you have spent more than four hours with someone who has COVID-19 inside a house, accommodation, or care facility.
- You must quarantine for seven days.
- You must get tested on Day 1 of quarantine (or as soon as possible) and get tested again on Day 6 of quarantine – with a rapid antigen test (RAT) or a PCR test if you can’t access a RAT.
- If you test positive on a RAT, you must report your result. Visit the Reporting your result webpage for more information.
All other contacts
- Applies if someone who has COVID-19 informs you that you are their social contact or a workplace or education facility has informed you that you are a workplace or education contact.
- If you have symptoms, you must use a rapid antigen test (RAT) or get a PCR test if you can’t access a RAT.
- If you don’t have symptoms, you are recommended to use a daily RAT for five days.
- If you test positive on a RAT, you must report your result. Visit the Reporting your result webpage for more information.
- If you don’t have symptoms and cannot access a RAT, continue to monitor for symptoms and get tested if symptoms emerge.
More detailed information can be found at the Checklist for COVID contacts webpage.
Getting vaccinated or your booster
We strongly encourage the entire Deakin community to get vaccinated against COVID-19 if you are able. If you are currently fully vaccinated, we encourage you to book your booster vaccine as soon as you are eligible.
Being fully vaccinated with your booster will reduce transmission rates, minimise the severity of illness in healthy individuals and reduce the likelihood of hospitalisation.
Not yet vaccinated, or need to book your booster? You can get your jab on campus, so book now.