The Incident Management Team is continuing to meet on a daily basis to monitor, assess and provide recommendations and guidelines to staff and students around the coronavirus situation. Our International students have raised a number of questions around course deferrals, visas etc, and as soon as we have more information, we’ll update everyone.
The Ministry of Health has set up a new helpline to provide information about coronavirus. The new number is 0800 358 5453 (or +649 358 5453 for overseas SIMs). The number is free to call, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and will be staffed by members of the National Telehealth Services with interpreters on hand to help with translation.
The Ministry of Health now also has a Facebook page @minhealthnz, and along with its Twitter channel @minhealthnz, will be used to alert people to key updates and messaging specifically about coronavirus.
A week ago, the NZ Government imposed entry restrictions into NZ on all foreign nationals travelling from, or transiting through, mainland China. As a reminder, any foreign nationals who leave or transit through mainland China after 2 February 2020 (NZ time) will be refused entry to New Zealand.
New Zealand citizens and permanent residents returning to New Zealand will still be able to enter, as will their immediate family members, but will be required to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival back in the country.
You can read the full statement here. We will continue to adhere to the mandatory quarantine period until further notice from officials. Care packages are being prepared and delivered to our students in quarantine in Auckland.
We’re continuing to follow World Health Organization guidelines and encourage all staff to reinforce basic hygiene measures to students. A presentation has been prepared for all staff to show at the start of lectures. You can download and print the principles of good hygiene posters issued by the WHO, from the Nest Health & Safety page (you’ll see these posters around the campus). A general reminder to all – if you’re feeling unwell, please stay home.
Our Te Puna Ako team is continuing to work on resources for teachers so they can support their learners from a distance. Tailored communications will be going out to teaching staff whose students have been affected, with details on Moodle activities and using Echo360 to record class sessions.
We will continue to keep you updated and would remind you to monitor relevant websites, including Ministry of Health, World Health Organisation, Education.govt.nz and New Zealand Immigration.