COVID-19 (coronavirus) advice for the UQ community - STAFF - Return to campus

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.