Staff and researchers - COVID-19 advice

Actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses include:

• Frequently cleaning hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water
• Avoid sharing objects like phones, keyboards and pens, and clean these objects often.
• Do not touch your face
• When coughing and sneezing, cover the mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or a tissue – throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands
• Avoid close contact with anyone who is unwell, especially a fever or cough
• If you have a fever, cough or difficulty breathing, seek medical care early. Call ahead and share any previous travel history with your health care provider
• Practice physical distancing
• Stay home if you’re feeling unwell
• Wear a face mask when you are not able to keep 1.5 metres away from other people or whenever mandatory face masks are required, as per current directions from Queensland Government.
• Get vaccinated – find out about the vaccine, your eligibility and how to book your COVID-19 vaccination.

We’ve prepared a factsheet on ways to help limit the spread of the virus. Read the UQ Safety Note - Hints to protect yourself from transmission (PDF, 242.6 KB). 

See QLD GOVT – How to protect yourself and others.

The regular contract cleaning of approximately 40,000 spaces around campuses is continuing with a focus on all hard surfaces and touch points using paper towel and sanitiser.

Separate teams work in higher-traffic buildings and areas from 9am-5pm sanitising hard surfaces and touch points (e.g. handles, rail, bins, switches, bathrooms, water bubblers, equipment). This team is also despatched by HSW for precautionary cleaning where a person has flu-like symptoms and has gone home ill, or where a person has been contacted by QLD Health as a potential close contact of a confirmed case.

Staff and students can also help by cleaning their work areas. Work practices such as cleaning commonly touched surfaces such as benches, lab equipment, desks, phones, remote controls, printers, fax machines, computer mice and keyboards, (several times per day) help reduce the threat of disease transmission. Cleaning products can be purchased via UQ eMarket. If you require specific disinfecting supplies (designed for killing viruses) that are not readily available via UQ eMarket contact procurement@uq.edu.au for assistance. Always use cleaning products as recommended on manufacturer labels.

Wash your hands thoroughly before and after cleaning. Hand washing should include the use of regular soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds. If soap is not immediately available, use hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol content or greater. Remember – DO NOT touch your face when cleaning. Avoid touching your face, hair, and neck as much as you can always.

Yes - some of the things you should consider include:

• Cancelling or postponing non-essential visits.
• Minimise the number of workers attending to deliveries and contactors as much as possible.
• Provide clear instructions about UQ requirements while they are on site.
• Minimise physical interaction where possible by using contactless methods, mobile phones.
• Ensure compliance with 1.5 m physical distancing requirements. This may require staff to work in another location while contractor works are being conducted.

Managers and Heads of organisational units are responsible for:

• Ensuring a COVID-19 Local Management Plan (DOCX, 117.8 KB) is completed locally and any outstanding items are actioned as soon as reasonably practicable.
• Intervening constructively if any behaviours or activities appear to be in breach of COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
• Ensure staff in local area are maintaining physical distancing, wearing masks when required, practicing good hygiene practices, and staying home if unwell.
• Ensure QLD COVID Check-in app posters have been installed at building entrances.
• Allocate resourcing to ensure compliance with COVID-19 risk management controls.

Yes - Supervisors must be familiar with their OHS obligations under PPL 2.10.04 Health and Safety Responsibilities to provide appropriate guidance and supervision of workers.  You must ensure that anyone under your supervision, including HDR or Masters students:

• Is notified of UQ’s expectations about COVID risk management (refer to UQ COVID page) and that they are not to attend campus if they are unwell;
• Has been provided with a local site safety induction including completion of the training indicated by the Training Needs analysis;
• Is aware of the local area emergency procedures and any COVID-19 Management Plans,
• Is directed to seek further guidance and training before commencing a new task and to ensure appropriate training and risk assessment is conducted;
• Adheres to the physical distancing requirements - where compliance with physical distancing requirements cannot be met, other appropriate risk mitigation measures must be implemented;
• Is encouraged to use impeccable personal hygiene practices including frequent handwashing;
• Clean  down shared desks and bench spaces, and shared training/ communal equipment between users and after use;
• Has been consulted on and notified of any relevant risk assessments for their tasks and ensure that all controls are implemented;
• Is using PPE appropriate to the task at all times as identified in the risk assessment;
• Report any workplace injuries and illness to the supervisor as soon as practicable and record these in UQSafe.

The supervisor must also implement a robust communication process to ensure contact and direction can be given at any time. Frequent and regular Zoom meetings may be an appropriate option.

The following is a summary of the key recommendations and actions to follow.

• In circumstances where face to face meetings occur, reduce the number of attendees so that at least 1.5 metres between attendees if possible and reduce length of meetings.
• Wear a face mask when you are not able to keep 1.5 metres away from other people or whenever mandatory face masks are required, as per current directions from Queensland Government.
• If physical distancing is not possible or there are not rooms large enough to accommodate everyone required, utilise videoconferencing or teleconferencing options for meetings.
• Do not share equipment including pens, keyboards, etc.
• Practice impeccable hand and respiratory hygiene - avoid touching your face with your fingers and any physical contact such as shaking hands
• Keep record of attendance, to facilitate contact tracing if required.
• People who are ill should be asked to remain at home.

Safety Note - Government requirements and guidance: Reducing the transmission of COVID-19 in teaching, learning, research and meeting environments (PDF, 222 KB).

Physical distancing and good hygiene practices are key controls for stopping the spread of COVID-19 so you should consider first whether it is reasonably practicable for you to temporarily cease hot desking arrangements for the duration of the pandemic.

If it is not reasonably practicable to temporarily cease hot desking then you must implement measures to minimise the risk of the spread of infection through this practice. For example:

• Ensure workspaces (desks, chairs, shelves etc.) are cleaned either at the end of the day where only one person has used the workspace, or after each use by a person where multiple people are using the workspace throughout the day.
• Where possible, you should have your own equipment such as keyboards and mice, so they are not shared between people. If sharing equipment is unavoidable, ensure that you have ready access to appropriate cleaning supplies to enable equipment to be thoroughly wiped down or cleaned after use by a person.
• Minimise the number of people in the office and therefore hot desking at any one time. For example, work from home if possible, stagger shift times or allow people to work flexible hours.
• Use only a limited number of desks within the workplace for hot desking and allow people to "opt out" of the practice if they wish

It is critical that all (including those vulnerable to COVID-19) staff: 

• Stay home if you’re feeling unwell or awaiting test results for COVID-19.
• Stay home until all your symptoms have resolved
• Practice physical distancing
• Frequently cleaning hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water
• Avoid sharing objects like phones, keyboards and pens, and clean these objects often.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover the mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or a tissue – throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands
• Touch your face less
• Avoid close contact with anyone who is unwell, especially a fever or cough
• If you have a fever, cough or difficulty breathing, seek medical care early. Call ahead and share any previous travel history with your health care provider

We’ve prepared a factsheet on ways to help limit the spread of the virus. Read it here (PDF, 222 KB).

Managers may also need to consider advice from a vulnerable staff member's medical practitioner when discussing and determining work arrangements with the staff member. 

If you need further advice for managing working requests for vulnerable workers in your team or if you are a vulnerable worker and need advice you can contact the AskHR on +61 7 3365 2623 or email askhr@uq.edu.au.

The following is a summary of key recommendations:

• Use videoconference or teleconference for meetings and cancel or postpone any non-essential face to face meeting.
• Reduce the number of attendees from the one team - work out mandatory and most appropriate representation.
• Maintain 1.5 metres between attendees.
• Avoid physical contact, no handshaking.
• Keep the meetings as short as possible.
• Avoid sharing equipment including pens, keyboards, mice, etc.
• Remember it is essential to practise impeccable hand and respiratory hygiene - avoid touching your face.
• Keep a record of attendance.
• And remember, you should not be at work if you feel ill.
• Wear a face mask when you are not able to keep 1.5 metres away from other people or whenever mandatory face masks are required, as per current directions from Queensland Government.

Safety Note - Government requirements and guidance: Reducing the transmission of COVID-19 in teaching, learning, research and meeting environments (PDF, 222 KB).

Currently there is no evidence of community transmission in Queensland, therefore the risk of contracting COVID-19 in the community is low. This situation can change and we will monitor the advice from the Chief Health Officer daily.

Practicing healthy hygiene habits is the best way to mitigate health risks. If you're struggling with anxiety or worry about COVID-19, check the Head to Health's COVID19 support page which outlines some steps you can take.

If you believe your request to delay your return has not been given adequate consideration, you can contact the HR COVID line on +61 7 3365 2623 or email askhr@uq.edu.au

It is normal to experience some worry or concern, but if those feelings start to affect your mental or physical wellbeing it is recommended that you seek support from a health professional. We’ve prepared a resource (PDF, 84.2 KB) to help you identify if you need help; find support; and offers tips for managing stress and anxiety. You can find more resources and information here.

For UQ staff and their immediate families, free, confidential counselling and support is available through Benestar, UQ’s Employee Assistance Program. You may also wish to discuss your concerns with your immediate supervisor or local Human Resources contact.

UQ students, feel free to contact Student Services:  student.services@uq.edu.au | +61 (07) 3365 1704 | Australia toll free: 1800 512 391.

Other helpful strategies may include:

• Access accurate information from reliable sources such as the UQ COVID-19 web page, Queensland Health or Commonwealth Department of Health. 
• Avoid relying on unofficial social media posts! Remember to take a break from the news or social media if you are starting to feel overwhelmed.
• Maintain your usual routine and activities, where possible and appropriate.
• Stay connected with others.
• Reach out for support if you need it.

The University will be notified by Queensland Public Health (QPH) of a confirmed case.  If this occurs, UQ has a process in place that offers any assistance that is required by QPH to help them determine which (if any) staff or students may have come into close contact with the person.  This is conducted in collaboration with information provided by the affected person. 

QPH will use the available information to begin contact tracing and will contact people who have potentially been in contact.  Depending on QPH’s assessment they will provide advice to contacts about what they should do.  For example, directing close contacts to self-isolate.

In some cases QPH may ask UQ to make this contact on behalf of QPH and to provide instruction. 

The university will notify the relevant management and the local Health and Safety Manager when QPH notifies UQ of a confirmed case.

Relevant areas will be cleaned by P&F (according to advice from QPH).

No. You must not attend campus or visit any UQ facility while waiting for COVID-19 test results.  You are  required to self-isolate at home while you wait for test results which may take from one to several days. The people you live with and other close contacts do not need to self-isolate unless advised otherwise from the Public Health unit.

If the result is positive, you will receive a call from a public health doctor or nurse who will tell you what to do next.  You will need to stay at home in self-isolation until you recover. You will be monitored by Queensland Public Health.

If the result is negative, your doctor or the clinic that tested you will let you know.  You may return to work unless you are unwell for other reasons.

If you are working from home, your supervisor will be in regular contact to ensure staff are kept informed; workloads and outputs are reviewed and support is provided as required.

Your employment terms and conditions, University policies, and relevant workplace legislation still apply when working from home. See Telecommuting PPL 5.55.11 Telecommuting. See Queensland Government - Health and safety for working from home.

If you are working from home, you are still covered by worker's compensation while performing University work.

Safety Note - COVID-19: Looking after your health and well-being (PDF, 84.2 KB)

Safety Note - COVID-19: keeping safe and well when working from home (PDF, 118.6 KB)

If you use your own phones or internet for work purposes, you may be able to claim a deduction if you:

• Paid for these costs and
• Have records to support your claims.

If you use your phone for internet for both work and private use, you will need to work out the percentage that reasonably relates to your work use.

Further details can be found on the Australian Taxation Office | Home office expenses calculator.

Continuing and fixed-term professional staff can request a change to work hours, days or work pattern through my.UQ. You must discuss your request with your supervisor. Your supervisor will need to consider your request and the impact on the organisational unit's operations.

Many professional staff at UQ must work within a standard spread of hours. If you initiate a change to your work hours or days beyond the spread of hours applicable to your role under The University of Queensland Enterprise Agreement 2018-2021, your new arrangement will be considered ordinary time and paid at ordinary rates (penalty rates are not applicable).

Changing your work hours, days or work pattern may impact your leave entitlements. For more information:

• talk to your HR Client Services team
• read the Hours of Work and Flexible Work Arrangements Policies [5.55].

Instructions to complete your request can be found here. Please ensure that if you are working from home due to COVID-19, you have registered the details in MyAurion.

Yes – all injuries that occur during the course of work must be reported through UQSafe Incident. If you are working from home this is deemed a workplace under the Work Health and Safety Act 2001 and there is a requirement that all injuries/illnesses are reported if they are work-related. You should advise your supervisor as soon as practicable.

If you require medical treatment or cannot work, you are entitled to submit a Workers Compensation Claim. Each claim for compensation is assessed on a case by case basis, in accordance with the legislation.

If you are a UQ staff member and are impacted by any of the restrictions please advise your supervisor, who will in turn will work with you to provide the necessary support.

Our teams are well-placed to provide support and advice, and put in place all necessary arrangements.

You should try to have regular conversations with your supervisor about any COVID-19 related questions you may have.

For general COVID-19 staff related questions, you can call HR on +61 (07) 3365 2623 or email askhr@uq.edu.au.

If a member of staff has been diagnosed, or contacted by Queensland Health and asked to self-isolate, email askhr@uq.edu.au or call HR on +61 (07) 3365 2623.

For students, please contact Student Services +61 (07) 3365 1704 or toll free within Australia: 1800 512 391.

The Organisational and Leadership Development team (Staff Development Program), eLearning team, library, and ITaLI are currently offering training sessions and professional development online via Zoom.

• Organisational and Leadership Development Staff Development Program
•  Library training page lists sessions on software, research skills, and publishing and research management.
• eLearning online workshops includes sessions on: virtual classroom(Zoom), Desktop recording, video assignments, Learn.UQ quizzes, test and exams
• ITaLI’s teaching and learning series is now being offered online.

Please check the COVID-19 (coronvirus) library services and ITaLI teaching and learning support pages to get current information about available services.

Be mindful that various conditions can produce cold or flu-like symptoms. People can have normal cold and flu viruses at any time.

It is reasonable to check on the welfare of that person and ensure that they are aware of the latest health advice.

Students: If a student presents as unwell and has cold and flu-like symptoms, their supervisor should ask them to contact UQ Health Care or their preferred medical practitioner, making sure to call ahead to explain their symptoms prior to attending in person.

Staff/Colleague: It is reasonable to check on the welfare of a colleague and ensure that they are aware of the latest health advice. If a colleague presents as unwell at work and has cold and flu-like symptoms, their supervisor should ask them to contact their medical practitioner (or UQ Health Care) for advice on an appropriate course of action, prior to physically attending.

Importantly, if anyone feels unwell and has the onset of any cold or flu-like symptoms, they should stay at home and not attend campus. This is important to facilitate a quick recovery for them, and it is also important for their colleagues and friends whose health should be protected.

A Manager’s Toolkit has been developed to provide UQ Managers with a range of information, support and resources for them and the teams they manage.  Access it here. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to many challenges for families. These Parenting in a Pandemic resources are designed to help families deal with the unique challenges and emotional consequences of parenting in stressful times. There are downloadable guides and tips for parents of pre-teens, teenagers, and children with developmental disabilities, and links to a podcast series and TV series. These resources are designed to help parents to support their children through the changes to daily life that they are facing, and also to help parents to look after themselves and manage stress, anxiety and relationship tensions during this difficult time. Find more info here.

If you have students going on placement, you should be prepared for any possible impacts in the event of changing health advice. Visit the Staff WIL website for further information and supporting resources.

Domestic or interstate placements, work experience or field trips, where the student will be 50km or more away from their usual place of residence and where they will need overnight accommodation (minimum of one night) must be approved by Head of School or equivalent.

Students engaging in these activities must complete the Student Travel Declaration to ensure that they understand their responsibilities when travelling, and the implications of COVID-19 on UQ insurances. 

Student Traveller Declaration process for staff:

1. Provide the Student Enrichment and Employability Development team with a list of students that will be undertaking placements or field trips more than 50kms from their usual place of residence. The list should include students undertaking placements as part of a course requirement, as well as those undertaking placement for program milestone requirements.
2. Faculties or Schools request students to complete the online Traveller Declaration. 
3. The Student Enrichment and Employability Development team will provide Faculties and the Graduate School with a list of students who have NOT completed the Declaration on a weekly basis (Monday 5pm). Please advise employability@uq.edu.au who this list should be sent to.
4. Faculties and Schools are able to follow up with students who have not submitted a fully completed Declaration.
5. Schools / Faculty will then manage ISOS registration for individual placements, as currently is the case.

By encouraging students to complete this Declaration we ensure that our students are aware of their responsibilities at this time, as well as the support provided by UQ, and reiterate the requirement to complete the ISOS registration for each instance of a placement involving travel.

If you have any questions regarding this process contact employability@uq.edu.au

Many of the temporary policy and procedure adjustments approved for 2020 (including Summer Semester) have reverted to standard policy and procedure in 2021. You can view adjustments applicable for Semester 1, 2021 here.

Head to the Library COVID-19 updates page for more information. 

The UQ Graduate School has communicated with advisors on possible options around gaining permission to travel to Australia, criteria for exceptional circumstances where remote commencement may be possible, and options for consideration in future scholarship rounds.

This advice and FAQs relating to this process are available on our commencements COVID-19 response page [login required]. If unsure, please contact graduateschool@uq.edu.au .