If you are showing symptoms of the novel coronavirus, including a fever, cough or difficulty breathing, contact your general practitioner or Queensland Health on 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84) immediately. It is suggested to phone ahead to explain your symptoms, travel history, and possible contact with someone who might have had the novel coronavirus.

You can also let us know if you have a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 by completing our confidential online reporting form:

usc.edu.au/covid-19-reporting

Face mask wearing in Queensland is now only mandatory in certain settings, including at airports and on flights. People are still encouraged to carry masks with them at all times and to wear them when social distancing is not possible, such as on public transport and at shopping centres.

The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus. Actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses include:

• Cleaning hands frequently with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water. Hand rub dispensers can be found around USC's campuses in high-traffic areas and outside toilets.
• Covering your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing. Wash your hands immediately afterwards and dispose of tissues immediately.
• Avoiding close contact with anyone who has a fever and cough.

In Australia, those at highest risk of contracting the coronavirus are those who have:

• travelled internationally;
• been in a COVID-19 hotspot, which is a particular area of Australia decided by the Chief Health Officer and published on the Queensland Health website.
• been in close contact with someone who has had a confirmed case of coronavirus.

Those with underlying medical conditions, such as heart or lung disease and the elderly, are considered to be at greater risk of more severe disease if infected. It is believed that symptoms will occur within 14 days of exposure.

In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, anyone arriving in Queensland must quarantine if, in the last 14 days, they:

• have been overseas

• have been in a COVID-19 hotspot

• have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19

• have COVID-19 or any symptoms.

People might be asked by their clinician to self-isolate in their own home, residence, hotel or other accommodation because they either have or might have COVID-19. This is to help reduce the spread of the virus to other people. Clinicians will only recommend self-isolation to those assessed as being well enough to be self-caring and able to seek medical attention if their symptoms become worse.

Self-isolation means staying at home, and not going to work, university, school or anywhere public for 14 days. Fourteen days is considered to be the maximum incubation period of the virus, so any symptoms would develop in this time.

The key is to avoid contact with others, which also means not accepting visitors to your home. People should also avoid going to the shops, and to instead arrange food deliveries to their homes or contact Student Wellbeing for assistance to arrange this.

Self-isolation has been described by public health experts as the same measures that you would take if you have the flu, to avoid spreading the virus, which is transmitted by droplets from coughs and sneezes, and possibly transferred by contact with shared surfaces.

USC students with further questions about self-isolation can contact Student Wellbeing at +61 7 5430 1226 or studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

USC staff with queries about self-isolation and/or believe that they should self-isolate can contact USC’s Human Resources on +61 7 5430 2830 or uscstaff@usc.edu.au.

If symptoms appear during a period of self-isolation, contact your general practitioner or Queensland Health on 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84) immediately.

If you’re showing symptoms of COVID-19, including a fever, cough or difficulty breathing, please contact your general practitioner or Queensland Health on 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84) immediately.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause illnesses similar to the common cold and more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The SARS-CoV-2 strain of coronavirus that originated in the Wuhan region of the Chinese province of Hubei is now referred to as COVID-19, and its symptoms include (but are not limited to): fever; flu-like symptoms such as cough, sore throat or headache; and difficulty breathing.

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared COVID-19 a worldwide pandemic on 11 March due to sustained transmission throughout the world. It is spreading from person to person in close proximity, similar to other respiratory illnesses such as the flu. WHO has urged people to stay calm and to continue the important work being done to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

A confirmed case of COVID-19 is a person who tests positive to a validated, specific SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid test or who has had the virus identified by electron microscopy or viral culture.

A suspect case of COVID-19 is a person who has had close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days prior to the onset of symptoms. Close contact is defined as requiring:

• greater than 15 minutes face-to-face contact in any setting with a confirmed case in the period extending from 24 hours before onset of symptoms in the confirmed case, or
• sharing of a closed space with a confirmed case for a prolonged period (e.g. more than 2 hours) in the period extending from 24 hours before onset of symptoms in the confirmed case.

As at 29 October 2020, all domestic travel on USC business is permitted, with the exception of any travel requiring a quarantining period as part of the journey (eg on arrival or on return). All domestic travel must be authorised by a member of USC's Executive until further notice. This applies to USC staff members as well as to individuals who are not USC staff members but whose travel would be paid or partly paid from USC funds. This includes funds relating to research and consultancy contracts held in USC’s name.​

The Australian Government advice for all overseas travel is do not travel. This reflects the gravity of the international situation arising from the COVID-19 outbreak, the risks to health, and the high likelihood of major travel disruptions.

USC has suspended all international travel until further notice. The global travel situation will be monitored and, if circumstances change, this suspension may be modified, including to allow travel to a limited range of countries. This suspension includes travel by individuals who are not USC staff members but whose travel was planned to be paid or partly paid by USC, including trips relating to research and consultancy contracts held in the University’s name.

The Australian Government has closed the country's border to anyone who is a non-citizen or non-resident, with exemptions only for Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family, including spouses, legal guardians and dependants. New Zealand citizens who live in Australia as Australian residents are also exempt, as are New Zealanders transiting to New Zealand. Exemptions for Pacific Islanders transiting to their home countries will continue to apply. Returned travellers from any overseas location need to self-isolate for 14 days.

COVID-19 is considered a “foreseen circumstance” for all new travel insurance policies effected and/or new paid travel arrangements made after 4pm (AEDT) 2 March 2020. A “foreseen circumstance” may be precluded under the terms and conditions of some policies. In regards to travel to China, COVID-19 has been considered a "foreseen circumstance" since 22 January 2020.

USC’s travel insurance will continue to apply for university activities except for COVID-19 related events (disruptions, cancellations, accommodation changes etc).