Novel coronavirus - fact sheet
Key points
- The Monash Chief Medical Officer is in constant communication with Australian medical authorities for the latest health and travel advice.
- We continue to monitor the situation, including the advice of the World Health Organisation (WHO), US Center for Disease Control and the Australian government’s Health Department, including states and territories.
- This fact sheet information relates to all Monash University students, except where otherwise stated.
- This document is updated regularly in line with new advice.
Find information on this page about:
Changes to semester one, 2020
- Later start to semester one, 2020
- Exception to later start date
- Deferment: new to Monash students
- Intermission: continuing Monash students
- Consequences of the later start of semester one, 2020
- Revised key dates
- Student timetable
- O Week and group activities
- Graduations
- Graduate Research students
- New to Monash PhD and Research Masters students
- International campuses
- Placements
Travelling to/from mainland China
Exams
Results and proof of completion
- Students impacted by rescheduled exams for further study
- Evidence of course completion for employment
- Academic Progress Committee hearings
Support for students and staff
- Health advice
- Students living on campus
- Attendance
- Staff leave provisions
- Events and activities
- Travel insurance claims
- Important links
Later start to semester one, 2020
- Semester one, 2020 was scheduled to commence teaching on 2 March, 2020. This start date will now be rescheduled to 9 March 2020.
- All week one classes from March 9 will be provided online. This will be a genuine teaching and learning week and all students are expected to participate online. Appropriate resources, including lectures and interactive teaching materials will be made available via the learning management system (LMS). Those new or existing students unfamiliar with the University’s LMS (Moodle) will be provided with an online tutorial on how to use this prior to 9 March. For new students, this will also be an excellent time to complete the mandatory induction online modules.
- Physical on campus teaching will commence from week two, i.e. Monday 16 March 2020.
- It is a requirement that all new international students must register their attendance on campus by Monday 16 March 2020, at the latest.
- The University will continue to offer live streaming of lectures over this period.
- Orientation Week, including any planned student camps, are also to be deferred, with orientation information provided online. The University is working with Student Association Presidents to determine when in semester one, an orientation to clubs, societies and other student social and study supports will be held. Students will be notified of these details soon.
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Exception to later start date
- The later start date does not apply to students enrolled in the courses listed below. If you’re enrolled in one of these courses and you are under travel restrictions leaving China or require self isolation in Australia, we recommend you contact the University to discuss your late commencement or option to defer:
- New international students email scenquiries@monash.edu
- All other students contact Monash Connect.
- Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (Gippsland campus) M6018/4532
- Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science (Honours) P3701
- Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science Advanced (Honours) P3002 (PSC4 only)
- Graduate Diploma in Law L5001
- Graduate Diploma of Australian Law L5002
- Master of Laws L6004
- Master of Legal Studies L6013
- Master of Dietetics M6002
- Master of Business Administration B6016
- Juris Doctor L6005
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Deferment: new to Monash students
- If you are unable to commence your studies by the extended date we’ve allowed for semester one, we recommend you defer your studies to the next available semester.
- Contact the University prior to March 9, 2020 to defer your studies:
- International students email scenquiries@monash.edu
- Domestic students contact Monash Connect.
Intermission: continuing Monash students
- If continuing/returning students can't return to Australia in time to start semester one studies, they may need to apply for intermission. In making your application, please state the reason for applying as: ‘Travel restrictions – China’.
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Consequences of the later start of semester one, 2020
- A slightly reduced SWOT VAC period (8-10 June 2020) will be implemented. This enables a full 12-week teaching period to occur with retention of the mid-semester break which is important to both students and staff. It also allows minimum reduction to the examination period so that results can be processed and released promptly. A three-day SWOT VAC period is not an unprecedented move - currently, two other Go8 universities have three-day SWOT VAC periods. It is not a permanent change, but is designed to meet the special needs of the international health crisis.
- The semester one, 2020 exam period will be reduced by three days. The existing period runs for three weeks, with the third week having few exams scheduled. Reducing the SWOT VAC period mitigates loss of exam assessment time allocated due to these changes.
- There will be no impact on semester two at this stage.
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Revised key dates
Please see below revised key dates based on the University's decision to postpone semester one.
Event | Original date | Proposed date |
Orientation | 24-28 Feb 2020 | Online and TBD |
Week 1 | 2 March 2020 | 9 March 2020 |
Week 2 | 9 March 2020 | 16 March 2020 |
Week 3 | 16 March 2020 | 23 March 2020 |
Week 4 | 23 March 2020 | 30 March 2020 |
Census date | 31 March 2020 | 31 March 2020 |
Week 5 | 30 March 2020 | 6 April 2020 |
Mid-semester break | 10-17 April 2020 | 10-17 April 2020 |
Week 6 | 6 April 2020 | 20 April 2020 |
Week 7 | 20 April 2020 | 27 April 2020 |
Week 8 | 27 April 2020 | 4 May 2020 |
Week 9 | 4 May 2020 | 11 May 2020 |
Week 10 | 11 May 2020 | 18 May 2020 |
Week 11 | 18 May 2020 | 25 May 2020 |
Week 12 | 25 May 2020 | 1 June 2020 |
SWOT VAC | 1-5 June 2020 | 8-10 June 2020 |
Examination period | 8-26 June 2020 | 11-26 June 2020 |
Results published | 13 July 2020 | 15 July 2020 |
Semester 2 begins | 27 July 2020 | 27 July 2020 |
Deferred and supplementary exams | 10-14 August 2020 | 10-14 August 2020 |
Student timetable
- To accommodate for the change in semester commencement, the semester one timetable in Allocate + will be released at 10am on 21 February 2020.
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O Week and group activities
- O week activities will be delayed to a later date although all important induction material, including the compulsory modules, will be provided online.
- All group activities (camps, social activities) will be delayed
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Graduations
- Most graduations will not be affected by the postponement in exam dates. There may be rare cases where a student’s graduation will be delayed, in which case we will be in touch with affected students.
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Graduate Research students
- If graduate research students are unable to commence their PhD or Research Masters by the extended date, we recommend they apply for deferral via the change of commencement date form.
- Face to face Monash Doctoral Program training (including coursework) will commence after 16 March 2020.
- Induction for new graduate Higher Degree by Research students will continue as normal.
- PhD and Research Masters Milestone Review Panels (MRPs) will continue as normal. Impacted Panels can be rescheduled if necessary via the enrolling faculty.
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New to Monash PhD and Research Masters students
- Contact the Monash Graduate Research Office to request information about late arrival or deferral:
- E: mgro-Apply@monash.edu
- T: +61 3 9905 3009 (option 2)
International campuses
- Our campus at Suzhou, in partnership with Southeast University, has been closed until further notice. We will communicate any changes as soon as possible.
- For any intercampus travel refer to smartraveller.
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Placements
- We're attempting to limit the disruption to current and scheduled placements where we can to ensure entire cohorts can progress together. Your Faculty Placement Office will be in contact if your placement is affected. If you have any queries please contact them directly.
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Returning to Australia
- The Australian government has placed strict new travel restrictions on foreign nationals (excluding permanent residents of Australia) who are in mainland China (excluding Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan).
- People who have visited or transited through mainland China from 1 February 2020 will not be permitted to enter Australia for 14 days. This will be reviewed in two weeks. See the Department of Health for more information.
- For students in Australia, the University is asking anyone who has travelled from China since this global health crisis began to stay in their homes/residences for 14 days after arrival in Australia, in accordance with Department of Health advice.
- If a person who has been in mainland China on or after 1 February 2020 begins to feel unwell and develop shortness of breath, a cough or respiratory illness during the 14 days since they were last in mainland China, they should seek medical attention by calling ahead to their GP or emergency department and mentioning recent travel to mainland China.
- During the next week, Monash will contact students from China to identify current personal circumstances, offer individual support, and to enable them to commence or resume their studies.
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International travel
- The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has raised the level of travel advice for mainland China to 'level 4 – do not travel’.
- In line with this advice, the University has ceased all student, staff and official University travel to China at this time.
- Monash University is urging students and staff to reconsider any unofficial travel to China as a result of this advice
- For travel to other international locations refer to smartraveller.
- No staff member or student is required to travel internationally, including to China, for any Monash activity.
- We understand that students may be travelling to and from Australia transiting in Hong Kong. We recommend you remain within the airport terminal for the duration of your transit.
- For staff and students who are Australian citizens and permanent residents and are in China on approved University business, the Australian government says you are able to enter Australia according to its updated advice.
- The University will financially support as well as help with any visa processes via Monash Connect or HR Assist.
- The Ministry of Health Malaysia has also advised deferring travel to China.
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Students currently in China
- The Australian government has imposed travel restrictions on foreign nationals (excluding permanent residents of Australia) who are in mainland China. From 1 February, foreign nationals will not be allowed to enter Australia for 14 days from the time they have left or transited through mainland China.
- For students who are Australian citizens and permanent residents and who are in China on approved University business, the Australian government says you are able to enter Australia. For more information see the government’s updated advice.
- Travel restrictions have been imposed by the Chinese government across China and these may be extended at short notice without warning. Wearing a face mask is mandated in some areas of China and in many areas authorities are testing body temperature before allowing access to public places.
- To better support students, the University is issuing communications requesting affected students who are Chinese nationals update us on their current location and travel plans via email and WeChat.
- The Australian government is supporting Australian citizens in Wuhan to return to Australia through special evacuation flights. This includes a 14-day isolation period on Christmas Island. If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident and need Australian consular assistance, you can find more information on the Smartraveller website.
- For Australian consular services in China, you can contact the Australian Embassy in Beijing or the Consulates-General in Shanghai, Guangzhou or Chengdu.
- While travelling anywhere overseas and upon returning home, it is important to practise hygiene and self-protection measures for acute respiratory infections by:
- regularly washing hands with soap and water or alcoho- based hand rub and avoid touching your face and mouth after touching surfaces;
- covering your mouth while coughing or sneezing with a tissue or flexed elbow; and
- avoiding close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illnesses such as coughing and sneezing.
Visas
- Any student who needs a visa extension due to a valid reason associated with this escalating situation (novel coronavirus) can request an official Monash letter to support their visa application from Monash Connect.
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Study Abroad
- Due to the strict ‘do not travel’ advice of the Australian government, no students will be approved for future outbound departures on mobility programs to China until further notice.
- If you are a student who has existing arrangements to study abroad in China, you will be contacted by Monash Abroad who will assist in cancelling your arrangements and redirecting you to other opportunities.
- If you are a student who has recently completed an overseas program in China, please refer to the advice on this page for managing your health and safety.
- If scheduled incoming University exchange or study abroad students from a University partner are impacted by the travel restrictions to Australia and may not be in Australia to participate in orientation and commencement of classes, please contact Monash Abroad directly on E: monashabroad.enquiries@monash.edu or T: +61 3 9905 1551. Monash Abroad will assist with late arrival arrangements, including arrival and orientation, in consultation with their faculty.
- PhD and Research Masters students planning to study away and travel to China should contact the Monash Graduate Research Office. At present, no study away or travel grants will be approved to travel to China until further notice.
- For travel to other international locations refer to smartraveller.
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Exams and postponement
- All supplementary, deferred and Summer A and B exams have been postponed. These exams will be run over five days - 9 to 13 March 2020 - to provide ample isolation time for any students who require this.
- This excludes South Africa and Monash College supplementary and deferred exams.
- Results of these exams will be provided before the census date, to ensure course progression requirements are met.
- Students who remain affected by travel restrictions or are in self-isolation during the week of the deferred, supplementary and summer exams will be provided with options to undertake the exam in their room or home. If students are overseas, remote examination options will also be provided. Details are currently being developed and will be communicated soon.
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Refund or reschedule for overseas exams
- If as a result of these measures, you wish to remain overseas and undertake your exam there, it will be rescheduled to a later date/time, likely between 9th to 13th March. To do so, please contact Monash Connect.
- Students who had intended to take their exam overseas, have now had that exam postponed and intend to return to Australia to sit their exam, may be eligible for a refund of the overseas exam fee. To arrange this, please contact Monash Connect.
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Students impacted by rescheduled exams for further study
- Students requiring the completion of their course or unit to progress to another course or unit will not be impacted, as they will have their results before the semester one census date. Students can commence in a unit for which they have not successfully completed the prerequisite unit or course due to the deferred exams. If students do not successfully pass the deferred exam, they will need to withdraw from any units for which they are no longer eligible, by census date, and can then enrol in units for which they are eligible.
- For those students transferring to another institution or conducting further study at another institution, please contact Monash Connect and we will contact the institution and provide a letter of evidence of special circumstances.
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Evidence of course completion for employment
- A number of students completing their Monash studies may need to rely on evidence of course completion prior to starting their employment. Please call Monash Connect and we will issue a letter of special circumstance for you to provide to your employer, explaining the delay in course completion.
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Academic Progress Committee hearings
- Academic Progress Committee hearings will continue during this period. No staff who have travelled to China in the last month will be involved in the process.
- Students who have: spent time in China in the past 14 days; had close contact with anyone infected in the past 14 days; is feeling unwell/experiencing symptoms; or, or those who choose to, can elect to conduct the hearing via teleconference or video conference.
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Health advice
- All students and staff should follow the health advice of the Department of Health and Human Services and that of the Monash Chief Medical Officer.
- If you have now returned to Australia from mainland China, you must be isolated at home for 14 days. During this time, if you begin to feel unwell and develop shortness of breath, a cough or respiratory illness, you should call DHHS hotline 1800675 398 or seek medical attention by calling ahead to your GP or emergency department and mentioning you recent travel.
- Additionally, staff unable to come to work as a result of these guidelines may be eligible for isolation leave entitlements as per the EBA. For more information about how to access this leave, staff can contact Access HR on hr@monash.edu.
- Students complying with these guidelines will not be penalised for not attending classes.
- If you are experiencing symptoms, wear a surgical mask if you have one to avoid potential spread of any illness, separate yourself from others, and call the Department of Health and Human Services dedicated novel coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398. If you have severe symptoms, such as shortness of breath, call 000 and request an ambulance, and inform the paramedics you have recently been in China.
- Monash University’s Health Service continues to take direction from the local medical authorities and will follow the established coronavirus reporting framework, which includes isolating and transporting any patients with symptoms to a prepared medical facility.
- Take simple steps to separate yourself from other people in your home, including using a separate bathroom if possible, wipe down taps, handles and surfaces with alcohol wipes, avoid sharing personal items and do not have outside visitors.
- Follow basic hygiene rules to prevent further spread:
- cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze (with a flexed elbow or tissue, not your hand)
- wash your hands often
- avoid touching your face and mouth after touching surfaces
- don't spend time with people who are sick
- don't go to work or attend campus if you feel sick
- Monash provides free confidential counselling support for any Monash student. If you need support at any time, please call 1300 788 336.
- Staff and students should continue to check the advice as it is likely to be updated regularly as this situation develops.
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Students living on campus (MRS residents)
- Students who have: recently returned from China; had close contact with anyone infected in the last 14 days; or are feeling unwell/experiencing symptoms, should remain in their assigned residence for 14 days and follow the health advice of the Department of Health. Concerned students can contact the dedicated novel coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398.
- We are providing masks on request for students living in our campus residences. Hand sanitiser will be provided throughout the buildings.
- Students from affected areas are asked to limit the use of public areas and engagement in large group activities and continue to use recommended hygiene practices.
- MRS is reviewing orientation activities subject to advice until at least 16 March.
- Contact Monash Residential Services for any accommodation admissions advice.
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Attendance
- Staff are expected to undertake regular activities unless you have symptoms or:
- have been in mainland China on or after 1 February 2020 and begun to feel unwell and develop shortness of breath, a cough or respiratory illness during the 14 days since you last returned from mainland China, then you should call DHHS hotline 1800 675 398 or seek medical attention by calling ahead to your GP or emergency department and mentioning your travel to mainland China.
- had close contact with a confirmed case of novel coronavirus in the 14 days prior to onset of illness.
- you have been in mainland China (excluding Hong Kong SAR, Macau and Taiwan) on or after 1 February 2020, and then you are advised to self-isolate. The requirement to self-isolate continues to apply to people who have been in Hubei Province, China, for 14 days after they left Hubei Province.
- If staff members feel stressed or anxious about the situation, please discuss your personal health circumstances with a medical professional, and if required, discuss with your supervisor.
- The Employee Assistance Program is available 24/7 for any Monash staff member. If you need support at any time, please call 1300 360 364.
- Students and staff attending campus will be asked to self-exclude from campus if they feel unwell or are experiencing symptoms. They will not be penalised.
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Staff leave provisions
- We are aware that some staff may need to take care of children who are unable to attend school due to advice from the Department of Health. You may be eligible for carer’s leave.
- In some circumstances, Monash also offers isolation leave to staff covered by the Enterprise Agreement for Professional and Academic staff.
- For more information about how to access these types of leave, staff can contact Access HR on hr@monash.edu.
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Events and activities
All Monash University endorsed/affiliated on-campus and off-campus student co-curricular events and activities should be delayed until 16 March 2020. This includes all camps, orientation activities or any other event at either a University, faculty, student association or society level, wherever the venue.
Events connected with the university where members of the broader community are also involved including those taking place at Monash Sport, Alexander Theatre, Ian Potter Centre and The Count may still take place at a University facility, provided the following persons do not take part in the event:
- All persons who have been in mainland China (excluding Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) until they have been in Australia for at least 14 days and are free of any symptoms associated with the novel coronavirus
- Any person who is unwell and develops shortness of breath, a cough or respiratory illness or shows other symptoms of the novel coronavirus.
Monash University will ensure additional hygiene measures are in place at all our facilities including: increased provision of hand sanitiser, increased frequency of cleaning and posters that promote appropriate health practices.
Travel Insurance Claims
- Any official University travel before 24 January to Hubei province and before 28 January to China is covered under the university standard travel insurance policy. For any claims enquiries for student please contact Monash Abroad and staff Access HR.
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Important links
- Smartraveller travel advice
- Department of Health update
- Update from the World Health Organisation
- Advice from the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services
- Information for university and vocational education students and staff arriving from mainland China
- Novel coronavirus frequently asked questions, Victorian Department of Health and Human Services
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LAST UPDATED 3.15PM, 4 FEBRUARY 2020