This page provides information and advice for the St Catherine’s College community. We encourage you to check this frequently for updated information.

Updated 16 March 2020 AWST.

As you are aware, there is currently a global outbreak of COVID-19 with a number of people in Australia, including Western Australia, having contracted the disease.
 
We understand that you will be interested in knowing more about the measures St Catherine’s College has in place to help prevent cases of COVID-19 and any other infectious illness within our community.
 
The situation is evolving rapidly and we want to ensure you that health management teams are in place at the College, across College Row and within each university to ensure a coordinated and systematic approach to health and wellbeing across our community. We are all working collaboratively and closely with the Department of Health and other relevant Government departments. The College has protocols and procedures in place for a scaled response to the threat. This includes admissions, service delivery and quarantine as required.
 
There are currently no reported cases of COVID-19 at St Catherine’s College or at the universities. However, the following are in place to safeguard our community and respond to an escalation in threat levels:

A dedicated team of staff will assist students if they are ill or have any health concerns, either physically or emotionally.
 
We are mindful that if a student falls ill, travelling home may not be the best solution if this could result in a household being quarantined or at-risk family members being exposed to the virus.

 The College will assist students with:

• Accessing appropriate medical services and support

• Transport, groceries and meals

• Communication with relevant authorities and loved ones

• Quarantine if required, either at the College or in a specially designated and serviced accommodation on the UWA campus

• Mental health and wellbeing

Regular reminders regarding hygiene and updates on new public measures will continue to be provided via social media platforms, the College Bulletin, one to one meetings between RAs and students, wing meetings, posters and announcements during mealtimes.

• Students experiencing any flu-like symptoms are not to enter common areas or the dining room. Contact information has been provided for appropriate staff at the College and University to register for assistance

• Additional hand sanitizers have been placed around the College including, dining room entry, toilets, lift entry points, reception, staff offices

• It is compulsory for all students, staff and guests to use the hand sanitizer provided before entering the dining room. The dining room monitor ensures compliance at the door

• Cutlery is individually wrapped in a protective sleeve

• Recyclable paper cups and dispensers will replace racked glassware

• Tables, benches and surfaces in the dining room are wiped down every half hour during meal service

• All door handles, lift buttons, bannisters, keyboards and hard surfaces in communal areas are wiped down regularly throughout the day

• Communal toilets are cleaned every two hours during the day

• Reception surfaces are wiped down between each student or guest visit

• All large sporting, social and cultural events will be postponed

• University online course material will be increased and the College academic support program will assist students keep abreast of their studies

• All food service will change from buffet to staff service

• Meal times will be extended and wings allocated a time for service to reduce the number of students in the dining room at any one time and increase social distancing

• Quarantine areas have been designated and protocols are in place should they be required

Students with existing medical conditions are encouraged to be extra vigilant in ensuring good hygiene and asked to speak to one of our team members or a GP if they have any particular concerns.
 
We continue to offer ongoing wellbeing, academic and pastoral support to all students, as we always do. We also have senior staff who live on campus and are available to assist students whenever needed.
 
We are working together as a College family to ensure the safety and wellbeing of each other and all those we love.

• We are continually monitoring advice from the Australian and West Australian Departments of Health and other health authorities and daily reviewing our response to the outbreak as this situation evolves.

• We are communicating directly with students and others to provide specific instructions for students from each part of the College. This includes what to do if a student feels unwell, or notices someone else who looks unwell, and how to find the appropriate medical support.

• Dedicated staff are available to answer student questions and students are being constantly encouraged to practice good hygiene. Hand sanitiser and other hygiene products are readily available around the College and common areas are regularly cleaned.

• Staff and students are asked to reconsider the need to travel.

• We have action plans in place, should the situation escalate in Western Australia, including isolation procedures to ensure the virus is contained if a case presents within our community.

• Student health and wellbeing is at the forefront of everything we do, so rest assured, we will inform and support students through this process.

Good hygiene practices are essential to help reduce the spread of infectious disease. In line with advice from health authorities, we recommend:

• regular hand washing with soap and warm water before and after eating, and after going to the toilet. Hand sanitiser is available at the door of the Dining Hall and all over the College.

• covering coughs and sneezes, disposing of used tissues, and using alcohol-based hand sanitiser

• avoiding contact with others, including touching, handshaking, kissing and hugging.