Support for students

• Monash Residential Services (MRS) continues to operate for students wishing to live on-campus.
• Monash Residential Services must adhere to all Victorian Government Department of Health restrictions in relation to COVID-19 in order to support the health, safety and wellbeing of the residential community.
• In response to COVID-19, Monash Residential Services (MRS) has adapted its operations to protect the health and wellbeing of residents including delivering an extended range of online community engagement programs and activities; increasing security in our residences in all halls; maintaining fully resourced Residential Support Teams for 24/7 support and supporting any residents required to self-isolate.
• Residents are reminded to notify a member of their Residential Support Team if they are not well, to enable MRS to provide appropriate support.
• Residents must advise a member of their Residential Support Team or an MRS staff member should they return a positive COVID-19 result.

COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS WITHIN MONASH RESIDENTIAL SERVICES ACCOMMODATION

The University’s Chief Medical Officer has, and continues to be, in consultation with the Department of Health (DH) in relation to Victorian Government COVID-19 restrictions and their application within the Monash Residential Services (MRS) environment.

The below Department of Health restrictions within MRS accommodation are effective as of 19 March 2022.

Communal spaces 

• Peninsula Residential Village residents are permitted to use the communal spaces on the ground floor of Gillies Hall and must register by swiping your Monash ID card at the entrance to the each common space
• When using the shared kitchens within halls please ensure that you clean all surfaces you come into contact with and remember to practice good hygiene. Avoid sharing personal household items. You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils or tea towels with other people. After using these items, they should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.

Face masks

• Face masks are highly recommended across the University’s campuses and locations.
• Face masks are required in special circumstances, such as if you have COVID-19 and are leaving home to access health care (e.g. at the University Health Service) or are a household or household-like contact.

Vaccinations

• All residents must be fully vaccinated in order to enter a residency agreement with MRS, unless they have a recognised medical exemption.
• As per the MRS Conditions of Residency, by entering into a Residency Agreement, residents agree that they must provide evidence acceptable to MRS that the Resident has an Approved COVID-19 vaccination status, as defined in the University’s Immunisation Procedure.
• You will be required to either swipe your ID card to gain entry to the MRS Administration Office or provide evidence of your vaccination status.

Visitors/partners

• All visitors MUST be fully vaccinated or have a recognised medical contraindication or acute  medical illness that precludes them from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. 
  • MRS Services Personnel will check the vaccination status of visitors in MRS buildings. Visitors will be required to show their COVID-19 digital certificate.
  • Residents are responsible for ensuring their visitors are fully vaccinated before allowing them entry into their hall.
  • Visitors who are not fully vaccinated will be asked to leave the Hall immediately, unless they have a recognised medical contraindication or acute medical illness and show documentation (e.g. medical certificate or letter) from an authorised medical practitioner.
  • Residents who allow a visitor who is not fully vaccinated, or who doesn’t have a recognised medical contraindication or acute medical illness that precludes them from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, to enter their hall will be sanctioned in accordance with the MRS Conditions of Residency.

MRS Halls Cafe

• Residents/visitors to the MRS Halls Cafe must  be fully vaccinated or have a recognised medical contraindication or acute medical illness that precludes them from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

MONASH RESIDENTIAL SERVICES' RESPONSE TO COVID-19 AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Cleaning

• In response to COVID-19, Monash Residential Services (MRS) has adapted its operations to protect the health and wellbeing of residents. This includes implementing additional cleaning in all communal bathrooms, toilets and common areas within halls. Permanent sanitiser stations have also been installed in each hall.
• For the shared ‘household’ accommodation style in the South East Flats and Peninsula, MRS has provided residents with cleaning supplies, instructions and cleaning equipment including: bucket, dust pan, toilet brush, toilet cleaner, cloths, anti-bacterial spray, floor cleaner and gloves.
• You can also find out more about the University’s campus safety measures on the COVID-19 updates website.

Department of Health correspondence/policy

• The Victorian Government mandates COVID-19 restrictions in the Pandemic Orders. The role of Monash Residential Services (MRS) is to ensure government directives are strictly adhered to.
• MRS and the University have been working with the Department of Health (DH) throughout this year via the University’s Chief Medical Officer.
• At all times, Monash has highlighted the circumstances in our residences and worked with the DH to find the best way possible to implement the numerous health requirements. The health and safety of all our residences is our top priority throughout this time and beyond.

Dining

• Victorian Government guidelines for restaurants and cafes do not apply in Monash Residential Services (MRS) as it is a communal living environment.

'Household' classification

• The Department of Health (DH) has directed that Monash Residential Services (MRS) halls are considered communal living environments, rather than households.

Mental health support

• A range of mental health support services are available to Monash Residential Services (MRS) residents, including free confidential counselling via video or phone consultation. To make a booking, call (03) 9905 3020.
• See this resource for more information on the support services available.

Outbreak

• The University has a detailed management plan in place for a positive or suspected case of COVID-19 within the community, and has established a Crisis Management Team (CMT) who meet regularly to manage the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on the University and its community.

Rent

• Monash Residential Services (MRS) accommodation fees are very competitive and are 25 per cent less than market rates. We’re not offering reduced rent for residents.

Reporting/enforcing

• If you see a resident breaking any Victorian Government COVID-19 regulations, please report this to your RSTO. Restrictions will be enforced by members of the Residential Support Team and MRS Services Personnel.
• Any breach of the restrictions will be managed under Section 13.2 of the MRS conditions of Residency for all MRS properties.

Studios

• The Urban Community is considered a communal living environment as each hall  has a common room, games room, laundry, two kitchens on each floor and an outdoor BBQ/garden area.

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• Residents are reminded to notify a member of their Residential Support Team if they are not well or have been tested, to enable MRS to provide appropriate support.