Outcome of consultation on Monash’s COVID Safe Plan

A message from Mr Peter Marshall AM
Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice-President

Dear colleagues,

Thank you to those who provided feedback during the consultation period on Monash’s proposed COVID Safe Plan, and your ongoing support as we continue to assess and adjust our operations accordingly.

Feedback has been reviewed and incorporated in the finalisation of the University’s COVID Safe Plan, which has been endorsed by the Monash University Occupational Health and Safety Committee (MUOHSC) and the Vice-Chancellor’s group.

The following key change has been made to the COVID Safe Plan (in alignment with the Victorian Government’s Pandemic Orders) and will take effect from Monday 18 July: 

  • Staff, contractors and other workers do not have to register their COVID-19 vaccination status or show proof of vaccination in order to attend Australian Monash campuses and other locations. 
    • Certain categories of workers (including healthcare, residential aged care and emergency services workers) continue to be required to register their vaccination status or show proof of vaccination as per worker vaccination requirements in the Pandemic Orders.
    • Though not a requirement, the University will continue to encourage staff to maintain an up-to-date vaccination status, to protect their health and the health of the broader Monash community. The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) have recently updated their fourth/winter dose recommendations and eligibility.

Campus safety measures 

As a University community we must remain vigilant in taking care of our health and wellbeing, particularly during these winter months. A reminder that face masks are as important as ever and recommended to be used in all indoor and crowded settings.

All of the University’s COVID Safe strategies will remain in place to ensure the safety of our staff and students, including:

  • Under no circumstances should any individual attend campus or a Monash location if unwell, awaiting test results or displaying COVID-19 symptoms (even after receiving a negative test result)
  • Face masks are strongly recommended in all indoor and crowded settings across Australian Monash campuses and other locations. Masks continue to be available for staff through their local work area
  • Rapid antigen tests (RATs) will continue to be available for eligible staff, and OHS is working with Faculty General Managers to ensure an effective distribution process continues for semester two
  • Encouraging staff to maintain an up-to-date vaccination status
  • Monash will continue to offer a hybrid working model (for ongoing and fixed-term professional workforce), alongside HR procedures and resources to support staff to work flexibly. Individual arrangements can be activated for staff in certain settings (e.g to support those who are immunocompromised), through discussion with your supervisor
  • The University’s COVID-19 exposure location web page will continue to be updated when positive cases are reported to Monash, so ensure you check this regularly. If you test positive, complete this form so the University can provide relevant support, including leave entitlements
  • Displaying health and safety signage across our campuses and locations, including messages to encourage our community to maintain 1.5 metre physical distancing
  • Providing measures to support good personal hygiene, including hand sanitiser stations located around our spaces
  • Increased cleaning services and well-ventilated spaces.

You can find out more information about our current settings on the University’s COVID-19 updates webpage.

If you need further support, we encourage you to reach out to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) on 1300 360 364 or the University counselling services on (03) 9905 3020.

Regards,

Mr Peter Marshall AM

Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice-President