The following settings will be in place at Women’s College from Monday 7 February 2022 until further notice.
Introduction
With COVID-19 active in the local community it is critical that we continue to take every precaution to keep our College community safe. The settings in place at College reflect the current high level of concern regarding community transmission of the Omicron strain of COVID-19, and are in line with the Public Orders and advice from NSW Health.
Please read these rules carefully, and contact a member of staff if you have any concerns. Students must agree to comply with all settings and rules in order to remain in College.
These rules may be changed at any time in line with the health settings in our local area. If in doubt, please consult health advice on the NSW Health website.
The current rules and settings reflect the very high rates of vaccination in our College community (99%).
Key settings and rules:
The health, safety and well being of our students is our top priority.
The College Code of Conduct, normal rules (in the College Handbook) and relevant College policies continue to apply at all times.
Adherence to social distancing guidelines of no more than one person for every 2m2 of space applies for some social events at College, including during the College Welcome Week.
Masks must be worn when not seated in the Dining Hall and when meeting with staff.
Affiliate Students are requested to sign in via the QR code when they visit College, and should not visit the College if they are unwell.
There are no visitors permitted in College during Welcome Week, except at sanctioned events.
During semester time, visitors must be accompanied by a student and must sign into College using the QR codes at the entrance. Visitors are not permitted in the dining hall (this will be revised as health settings change).
As is normal in College, any gatherings of 10 people or more require submission of a SERF (see the College Woogle) .
For the first few weeks of semester, weekly Rapid Antigen Testing will be required before Formal Dinner on a Monday night. Students will be provided with details of the procedure for testing before the first Formal Dinner.
Students and staff have a responsibility to act as ethical bystanders and support one another in doing the right thing to ensure a harmonious community that supports student health and safety.
Students should avoid direct contact with couriers or delivery drivers. All parcels and deliveries, including food, must be left on the table outside Reception. Every interaction increased risk of infection.
We strongly encourage every student to speak to her GP about vaccinating against COVID-19. Booster shots are recommended for students who are eligible to receive them.
HEALTH
The health of the College community is of key concern – please do not hesitate to do a COVID test (RAT or PCR) if you have even the slightest symptoms. Below are a number of scenarios which may occur – please read them carefully.
If you are unwell
Do a personal Rapid Antigen test or walk to RPA COVID-19 clinic to be tested (testing site is off Missenden Road, opposite the entrance to Emergency.).
Isolate in your room and immediately inform the Dean of Students, Emma Mannering.
Meals will be delivered to your room while you wait for your results (if you have done a PCR test).
Use mask and practice bathroom hygiene protocols.
A staff member / RA will be in contact with you throughout isolation.
Current RPA testing results are being received within 48 hours.
When you receive a result inform the Dean of Students immediately.
You may leave your room again, however if you are still unwell with symptoms, please keep away from other students until you are well again.
If you are identified as a close contact
If someone close to you has tested positive and you are deemed a potential close contact – i.e. you have spent four hours or more in their company in household setting:
Please inform the Dean of Students immediately. She will advise you of the isolation protocol for your particular circumstances.
Implications for the College community of a positive case
If there is a positive case at College:
College will follow any directions given by NSW Health.
If you cannot safely go home, you will be moved offsite to University of Sydney quarantine (currently, 80 rooms at the Queen Mary Building on Church St, Camperdown are available for quarantining COVID-positive students).
College staff and RAs will contact you for regular wellbeing checks.
Meals will be provided by the College, or may be ordered from a food delivery service (e.g. UberEats).
Hygienic cleaning of your room at College will be done while you are in isolation.
Reporting and Consequences
- If you see something, say something. Please call the RA on Duty or the Dean of Students if you would like to report anything out of the ordinary
- Expect to be asked to put on a mask if you forget to wear one in the Dining Hall or when seeing staff.
- Normal COVID-safe protocols (handwashing, sanitising) are recommended at all times. Please remember that different people have different levels of comfort about keeping safe during COVID-19.
Dining Hall
- Masks are to be worn at all times when queuing for meals in the Dining Hall and serving your food. They may be removed when seated.
- Please use the hand sanitiser at the entrance to the Dining Hall before serving your food.
- Staff will replace the utensils at the buffet frequently.
General Health, Safety and Hygiene
The College community recognises the importance of practicing personal and respiratory hygiene measures to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of all students. Students and staff are to practise good personal hygiene by:
- Getting tested if they feel unwell in any way, isolating while awaiting test results and informing the Dean of Students, Emma Mannering. Remain in your room while you have symptoms, even once you have a negative result. Arrange with a friend or the Dean of Students to bring meals to your room.
- Regular hand washing and sanitising i.e. cleaning hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Practice cough and sneeze etiquette i.e. cover nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with a tissue or a flexed elbow.
- Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms.
- Enhanced cleaning will be done in all common spaces including the dining room
Your Room
- Extra cleaning supplies are located on each floor for students to use.
- At present, in room cleaning will not be done by cleaning staff: you are responsible for keeping your room clean.
Balconies
- Normal rules apply with regard to balconies i.e. no noise after 11pm; parties are not permitted (see the College Handbook)
- Gatherings of more than 10 people on balconies require submission of a SERF