Latest update 25 February 2022
Flinders University continues to closely monitor COVID-19 outbreaks nationally to support our students and staff in SA, the NT and elsewhere. This page is regularly updated to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of our community.
Latest information about COVID-19 for South Australia can be found on the SA Health website.
If you’re at one of our Northern Territory locations please check advice from NT Health.
The latest advice for each State and Territory is available at the following links: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, WA, Tasmania and the ACT .
Wherever you are, it’s important to maintain safe physical distances, practice thorough hygiene, wear a mask and if unwell stay at home, arrange to have a COVID test and self-isolate until you receive a negative result.
If you are deemed a close contact of a positive case, please isolate and get tested as advised by your local health department. Close contact requirements for SA and NT are available on their respective websites: SA Health, NT Health.
Preparations for 2022
Flinders is renowned for rich and engaging learning experiences. Our campuses remain open, and we’re offering our students opportunities for on-campus learning. These on-campus activities will be augmented by online learning. Please plan your courses to include an online alternative to accommodate those who are unable to attend campus.
Evidence of vaccination, or a negative Rapid Antigen Test result within the preceding 3 days, is now required of staff attending all Flinders locations. When on campus masks must be worn indoors, unless medically exempt, and physical distancing of at least 1.5m should be maintained. Regularly and thoroughly sanitise your hands and things you touch, and do not come to campus if you become unwell or develop symptoms of COVID-19.
Vaccinations remain the most effective means of reducing harm from COVID-19. Flinders University strongly encourages anyone who can get vaccinated or is eligible for a booster to please do so.
South Australia
The South Australian Government requires all staff and students entering any of the following facilities to have evidence of at least one dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine, and proof of a booking of a second:
All staff and students entering a healthcare, aged care or disability setting are also required to have a recognised booster vaccination within four weeks of becoming eligible.
Northern Territory
Most staff are likely to fall into a category that requires all workers, including students on placement, to have two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine to attend workplaces in the Northern Territory, unless they have a medical exemption.
Please visit the NT Health website for the latest information about vaccination requirements in the Northern Territory.
From 11-17 November Flinders University invited staff and students to share their position on vaccination via a survey. 3868 participants responded with the following results:
Flinders is renowned for rich and engaging learning experiences. Our campuses will remain open, and we intend to offer opportunities for all students to have some on-campus learning if they choose. These on-campus activities will be augmented by online learning.
Staff will need to plan their courses to provide an online alternative to accommodate students who are unable to attend campus, or to ensure continuity during self-isolation. Students are being directed to look at their FLO Topic site for information so staff should update these to reflect the teaching arrangements for the semester.
All on campus activities must adhere to strict COVID-19 safety practices including mask wearing at all times indoors, physical distancing, observance of thorough hygiene and careful recording of attendees.
Face masks on campus
Staff and students are advised face masks need to be worn indoors in public areas including lifts and any other area where exposure risks are elevated.
SA Health notes the following circumstances when it might not be possible to wear a face mask:
Please be respectful to others as reasons for not wearing a mask are not always obvious. By wearing your mask you are helping to protect yourself and those who cannot wear a mask.
Face masks – general guidance
Face masks are a physical barrier to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Suitable types include washable reusable cloth masks, and single-use face masks (commonly called surgical masks, including variants N95, P2 and KN95) that cover the nose and mouth.
In some high risk setting such as health care, aged and disability care, public transport, airports and planes mask wearing is mandatory.
In other settings, SA Health strongly recommends wearing masks most of the time while indoors.
Irrespective of mask type, wearing a mask means you are not designated a ‘close contact’ and do not need to isolate
Wearing face masks mitigates ‘close contact’ risk for the entire University community.