COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) Student Update 10

Wednesday, June 24, 2020 / Coronavirus Student Updates

The last few months have been like no other time. Adapting to the evolving demands of the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged, stretched and galvanised our learning community in new and unpredictable ways. From the rapid reimagining of remote learning and to new COVID-19 processes and protocols that have kept our campuses safe. Your readiness and willingness to tackle these challenges as students has been fantastic.

And the challenges continue for us all with Victoria receiving the news of increasing cases and a return to tighter restrictions introduced this week.

This also means we cannot currently advise our students of when ‘normal’ on-campus operations may resume. We will await any change in advice by the Victorian Government and the Victorian Chief Health Officer in regard to when students and staff may return to campus.

Please remain assured that we will continue to communicate with you swiftly and accurately as we receive advice from the Department of Education in regard to return to full access to learning and working on campus.

On-campus update

We will continue to deliver online and remote learning to students.
Where face-to-face training is necessary, we must ensure the provision of hands-on, skills-based learning is provided in line with health advice.
Your teachers will guide you on these protocols if you need to attend any sessions campus, but this includes every student taking responsibility for:
- Practicing social distancing –1.5m apart at all times (this includes meetings, classrooms, cafe and inside/outside of the campus)
- Practicing good hand hygiene (consider washing hands after using computers, attending meetings, touching any surfaces)
- Stay at home if you are unwell
- We also encourage all students to download the COVID Safe app.

It is our intention to create the safest environment possible for the SWTAFE community and this will require the commitment of all of our staff and students and we ask that you respect these new requirements in order for us to achieve this goal.

Change to restrictions from Monday 22nd JuneVictoria has seen an increase in cases of COVID-19 across the community and Premier Daniel Andrews has advised of a number of new restrictions are now in place.

From 22 June the number of visitors that you can have to your home has reduced to five visitors.
Outdoor gatherings have also reduced to a maximum of 10 people.
The update to restrictions can be viewed here: https://www.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19-restrictions-victoria

The Victorian Government is urging all Victorians to continue to take actions to reduce your exposure. It’s up to all of us to make this work.

Remember to always maintain physical distancing of at least 1.5 metres from those you don’t live with.
Practise good hygiene.
Limit your time away from home.
Get your flu vaccination.
If you are unwell you should stay at home. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, however mild, you should get tested. The most common symptoms are fever, chills or sweats, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose or loss of sense of smell.
If you have symptoms we recommend you call the Warrnambool Respiratory Assessment Clinic on 5563 1666 8am – 4pm Monday to Saturday to speak with one of the nurses.

Avoid travel to outbreak areas in Victoria
SWTAFE supports the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee advice against any travel to and from six local government areas where there has been high community transmission of the virus in recent weeks and identified as coronavirus hotspots. These hotspots are in the Council areas of Hume, Casey, Brimbank, Moreland, Cardinia and Darebin which incorporate 162 Victorian suburbs.

Thank you
I continue to be immensely proud of our students and staff who have conquered frustrations, worked within constraints and demonstrated the leadership needed to reset amidst this rapidly evolving and unpredictable time.
Thank you for your adaptability.

Please continue to follow the government guidelines to keep yourself and your family safe.

Mark Fidge
CEO
South West TAFE

COVID-19 hot spots in Melbourne, Victoria