Published: 5th February 2021
Please read this email in full. It contains important information relating to Murdoch University’s COVID-19 response and your studies.
The Western Australian Government has advised that from 6pm tonight, Friday 5 February, the current lockdown will end and be replaced by a post-lockdown transition period for the Perth and Peel regions that will remain in place until 12.01am Sunday 14 February.
If you aren’t already aware, the post lockdown transitional measures for the Perth and Peel regions that will apply until 12.01am on Sunday 14 February 2021, include:
- Schools and universities may reopen;
- Everyone must continue to wear a mask in public and while at work, unless exempt or for outdoor vigorous exercise;
- All businesses and venues, including gyms can re-open, except for the casino and nightclubs;
- A 4 square metre capacity rule and 150-person capacity rule applies at hospitality, entertainment, fitness venues and events including weddings and funerals (excluding staff);
- Only essential travel, including work, is permitted in and out of the Perth and Peel regions to other parts of WA.
The Government’s full announcement can be read online.
What does this mean for you?
Firstly, thank you for your patience, perseverance and ability to adapt as we navigate through these challenges together. This recent announcement means we can resume on-campus activity where possible, as we make our way back to campus life pre-lockdown restrictions.
Classes and assessments
If you have already started your studies for 2021, some essential practical activities and laboratories will take place on campus as planned next week, with necessary COVID-19 safety and risk mitigations applied.
All other classes and teaching activities that are not essential will be held online in the week commencing 8 February.
Students with classes and learning activities next week have received detailed advice on these arrangements. If you have been advised that you will be attending campus during this time, please keep in mind that you will need to adhere to all Department of Health advice including observing physical distancing and wearing a mask, unless exempt based on the reasons supplied by WA Health.
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placements can resume, provided the host organisation has agreed to the placement. The WIL Placement team will be in contact if they require any additional documentation from you before commencing your placement. We advise you to contact the WIL team if you are unsure on how to proceed.
Please note, at this stage the University is continuing to plan for Orientation Day and the commencement of Semester 1 to go ahead as scheduled, pending State Government advice.
Face masks
Your safety is our number one priority. It is the responsibility of anyone returning to campus to adhere to the safety protocols outlined by the WA Government, so we can keep our community safe and healthy.
These now include wearing a mask indoors and outdoors while on campus, unless you are exempt based on the reasons supplied by WA Health.
Wearing a mask is just one of the many precautions we are taking, like scanning in to the SafeWA app, staying home if unwell or maintaining 1.5m distance from others, to protect our community.
Travel
All University travel, including intrastate travel, is cancelled until further notice. If you are currently intrastate or need to travel outside the Perth-Peel region for WIL or a practicum, you will receive tailored advice from the WIL team.
Student services
From Monday 8 February, the Student Centre, My Murdoch Advice (west location only) areas and Library will reopen with capacity limits. The Medical Service will continue to operate under a limited on-campus service.
However, if you need to access these services during the post-lockdown transition period, we strongly encourage you to make use of our comprehensive online and telephone services in the first instance.
You can contact these services using the information below:
Other student services remain available online for support and advice. If you are an international student, we encourage you to read our tailored advice, including how to access relevant information in other languages.
Campus facilities
The Zone Fitness centre will also reopen from 9am Saturday 6 February with capacity limits.
The majority of food and drink outlets and IGA Xpress will be open from Monday 8 February, however there may be some disruption to the normal opening hours for some outlets. Please be aware that it is now mandatory to scan the SafeWA QR code at the entry to food and beverage outlets, even for takeaway only customers.
As always, it is essential you practice good sneeze and cough hygiene, wash your hands regularly, maintain physical distancing (1.5 metres), stay at home if you feel unwell and use the SafeWA App.
We thank you for your patience during this time. We will continue to update you as the situation evolves and look forward to welcoming you back to campus soon.
