Frequently Asked Questions

The best defence against most viruses is good hygiene. Actions to help prevent the spread of infections include:

• Frequently cleaning hands with soap and water. If you cannot wash your hands, then an alcohol-based hand rub may be used
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or a tissue – throw the tissue away immediately and wash your hands
• Avoiding touching your face and eyes
• Avoiding close contact with anyone who has a fever and cough (if you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets from a sneeze or cough)
• Practicing social distancing by avoiding touching including shaking hands, kissing, and hugging
• If you have a fever, cough or difficulty breathing, seeking medical care early and sharing previous travel history with your health care provider

Minimising the spread of any germs by regularly disinfecting surfaces that are touched frequently such as door handles, light switches, and kitchen and bathroom areas. Visit the Queensland Government and World Health Organisation sites for more information.

JCU is taking, and will continue to take, the advice of Queensland Health and the Australian Government in determining its response to COVID-19.

If at some point there are confirmed cases among our students and staff, we will be guided by the health authorities as to what, if any, action the University should take at that time.

Social distancing includes ways to stop or slow the spread of infectious diseases. It means you should attempt to stay 1.5 metres away from other people where possible, for example when you are in a public place or meeting room. Social distancing should be practiced as much as possible, particularly if anyone is coughing or sneezing.

The more space between you and others, the harder it is for the virus to spread.

Within the workplace:

• Where possible, use Zoom, video or teleconferencing for meetings
• Limit the length of in-person meetings to maximum two hours where participants can be 1.5 metres separated
• Limit the length of face-to-face contact to no more than 15 minutes where space is more confined.

Find out more from the Department of Health’s guidance on social distancing.

If you need to quarantine, you can notify JCU by completing the Quarantine Notification Form (Note: JCU no longer needs to be notified of COVID-19 cases) and submitting to [email protected]

Australia's Federal Government have released a vaccine eligibility checker, which will determine when you are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in the Australian rollout.

If you have recently returned from a COVID-19 hotspot, it is important that you follow all guidelines and advice provided by the Queensland Government and other relevant authorities.

JCU is monitoring the situation closely and making decisions in response to any potential impacts on our community and operations.

Any activities which are still going ahead have been reconfigured to comply with social distancing guidelines. We will be relying on you to play your part in this and, if you need to self-isolate, you must do so. If you are unwell please do not come to the campus.

JCU is also increasing the frequency of targeted cleaning of public and shared spaces, with a focus on cleaning hard surfaces, providing hand sanitiser units and alcohol wipes in high-traffic areas.

The University has a comprehensive plan to prepare and respond to pandemics. The aim of the plan is to:

• Minimise health risk to staff and students
• Ensure the safety of students with minimal disruption to study plans
• Minimise the risk of JCU premises or people becoming a mode of transmission
• Ensure the safety of staff and students should working or studying from home, quarantine or isolation requirements need to be enforced.

The University is hosting events where social distancing and health safety guidelines can be complied with, as directed by the advice of Queensland Health and the Australian Government.

To see a full list of events, visit JCU Events

JCU follows guidelines from the Queensland Government and other relevant authorities regarding the wearing of face masks on campus.  You must not attend campus if you are feeling unwell.

Information related to JCU-specific travel and gathering requirements can be found in the student or staff communication pages. Please contact Work Health and Safety for further information and advice. Policies, Guidelines and Forms related to COVID-19 are also available.

If a student advises the University they have attended campus and received a positive COVID test result, JCU will place an announcement in LearnJCU on the subject site.

Students should still attend class however monitor for symptoms. If symptoms appear, stay home, get tested and fill out the COVID-19 Notification Form. (Note: JCU no longer needs to be notified of COVID-19 cases)

If you are a positive or close contact whilst on placement:

1. Contact the placement provider and advise them that you have received a positive test result or are a close contact
2. Contact the placement team and fill out the COVID-19 Notification Form.(Note: JCU no longer needs to be notified of COVID-19 cases)

You can find out more about what you need to work from home on the working from home page.

The University's Employee Assistance Program is available to JCU staff and their immediate families if they need additional support and assistance at this time. We encourage you to access the free, independent and confidential counselling support services of our provider, LifeWorks, who can be contacted at 1800 604 640.

You can also speak with other free services such as Beyond Blue, Lifeline, Head to Health and Headspace.

This is a difficult time for everyone and students may be facing increased stress due to financial, social and learning issues.

As announced by the Vice Chancellor on 15 April 2020, a Student Success Support Package has been developed. This package has three key features Financial Support, an Academic Safety Net, and Health and Wellbeing. Visit jcu.edu.au/studentsuccess to find out more.

We recognise that some of you in the JCU family are facing significant challenges too, but if you are in a position to help our students who are facing extraordinary circumstances, please consider making a donation to the Student Hardship Fund to help ensure our students can continue to pursue their dreams of completing their studies at JCU.

JCU offers a free, confidential counselling service to all enrolled JCU students. They can book a session on the phone or via Skype.

The Student Centre is able to assist students with academic queries. For information about the Non-GPA system, students can check out the Frequently Asked Questions section on the COVID-19 advice page.

Students can also speak to other free services such as Beyond Blue, Lifeline and Headspace.

It is important during this difficult period that we demonstrate empathy and understanding toward students and offer assistance wherever possible.

You can find information regarding Work Health and Safety policies related to COVID-19 on the Work Health and Safety, Policies, Guidelines and Forms page.