To date, the Ministry of Health has confirmed five cases of COVID-19 coronavirus in New Zealand, but for a third consecutive day, there have been no additional confirmed or probable cases here. Please see link to today’s update on the Ministry of Health website.
Travel restrictions have also been extended another week, so will remain in effect until Tuesday, 17 March. For more information on travel restrictions, see the latest situation summary on the Immigration New Zealand website.
We are doing everything we can to safeguard our students, staff and visitors and continue to stress the following basic hygiene measures:
- If you’re feeling unwell with flu-like symptoms, stay at home. If you have concerns about your health, call Healthline on its dedicated COVID-19 number 0800 358 5453 (or +64 9 358 5453 for international SIMS), or contact your GP or medical centre (including Te Puna Waiora – Unitec’s Wellness Centre), by phoning ahead rather than just turning up at the surgery. They can assess your symptoms and give advice over the phone
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water and then dry thoroughly, or cleanse your hands with hand sanitizer
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow, and then wash and dry your hands
- Keep shared kitchen areas clean and tidy – clean surfaces regularly with anti-bacterial wipes or spray and ensure cutlery, plates and cups are washed after each use
For additional information, please see the How to protect yourself and others flyer issued by the Ministry of Health.
Those International students in self-isolation or unable to travel are still being supported by remote learning activities by Te Puna Ako and relevant teaching staff, but the majority of our teaching and learning will continue to take place on both our campuses, as normal. As we outlined last week, those International and Domestic students who have travelled overseas and have satisfied self-isolation requirements will be required to check in and show their travel documentation to our International Support team on their return to Unitec. Once these checks have been made and the documentation is in order, the International Support team will inform the relevant teaching staff via email that the students can start their classes. This includes those students who have opted to spend their self-isolation period in another country en route to New Zealand.
We will continue to keep you updated on any changes to policies or procedures.
Previous updates and info published on the Nest:
- Coronavirus: Update 6 March 2020
- Coronavirus: Update 2 March 2020
- Coronavirus: Update 25 February – Further extension on travel restrictions
- Coronavirus: Update 21 February 2020
- Coronavirus: Update 10 February 2020
- Coronavirus: Update 5 February 2020
- Coronavirus: Update 4 February 2020
- FAQs: Updated as at 3 February 2020
- Coronavirus: What you need to know to protect yourself and our students – 29 January 2020