COVID-19 Safe Plan

1 – This Plan covers the procedures the College:

• • Has in place to provide safe and secure workplaces for students and workers to enable them to study and work in light of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic; and
  • Will implement, in conjunction with NSW Health and other Government agencies, should a student or worker contract COVID-19.

2 – Persons covered by the Plan are:

• • • Students;
    • Faculty members and Chaplains;
    • Staff; and
    • Contractors

on the College’s campuses at Newtown, Croydon Park and North Parramatta. (The term ‘campuses’ incudes workplaces.)

3 – The College will continue to act in ways that meet the directions of the Federal Government, the NSW Government Public Health Orders (which set out legal requirements), the NSW Government’s guidelines and recommendations (noting that these do not have the force of law) and the guidelines from the Archbishop of Sydney.

4 – The various procedures in this Plan have been designed, as far as is reasonably practicable, to minimise the risk of a person contracting the virus whilst at a College campus. It is not possible to eliminate that risk.

5 – NSW suffered a major virus outbreak (aka the Avalon cluster) in late December 2020 resulting in restrictions for the northern beaches, and a smaller one which came to be known as the Berala cluster. The impact of those clusters was managed such that by 13 January 2021 any restrictions affected only Greater Sydney. Mandatory mask wearing was introduced for certain situations. Some restrictions were partially lifted on 27 January 2021. The continuing managemen regime relies on extensive testing and the increasing use of the NSW Government’s QR code whilst maintaining the basic COVID safe practices (eg: social distancing, hand sanitisation).

6 – This version of the Plan reflects the ongoing management practices of the NSW Government into the future, noting that specific restrictions (eg: use of the 2 sq.m rule; numbers allowed to gather; and mask wearing) may be loosened as time goes by.

37 – The College has based its risk considerations and assessments on the risk matrix it uses to assess all risks including those related to WHS matters. The matrix is used to identify the level of risk with consequential time priorities and types of controls and procedures needed to be put in place as far as reasonably practicable.

Risk matrix

Risk

8 – The risk of a person contracting the virus at one of the College’s workplaces is assessed as HIGH based on the combination of:

• • Likelihood: RARE
  • Impact: CATASTROPHIC

9 – The rating of RARE for Likelihood takes into account the fact that the number of infections in NSW has been almost reduced to zero community transmissions on a daily basis notwithstanding that there are still a number of cases from overseas travellers in quarantine.

10 – The potential for a person to die as a result of contracting the virus, or suffer severe other complications, demands an impact rating of CATASTROPHIC.

11 – One of the key College values is Community. It is vital that everyone adopts the various steps and procedures that will be in place to minimise the likelihood of a person contracting the virus. Each person will need to encourage those around them to follow the procedures and sensitively remind someone whom they see has not, for example, used hand sanitiser, when it is to be used. In this way the College will be able to reduce the anxiety that a number of people will have: ‘I’m doing the right thing, but it seems a few others in the same lecture are not’.

12 – Community life is, in these pandemic times, rather different. The NSW Government uses its QR code system as the key way that it manages virus transmission as the Code enables contacts to be established quickly and in a consistent manner. It is vital that all students, Faculty and staff activate the College’s QR code when they enter the College’s Newtwon campus premises through any of the doors, and it is recommended that they activate it again to indicate the time they leave the premises.

13 – As of 12 February 2021 mask wearing became mandatory on public transport only. Face masks do not need to be worn in the Library or during lectures. However, people should feel free to wear a mask if they feel comfortable doing so.

14 – These include:

• Signage on all doors advising limits of people
• Hand washing and hand sanitising
• Extensive cleaning regime
• Wipes available in all areas, especially bathrooms
• Doors left open wherever possible

15 – There may be some students for whom these elements only serve to increase their anxiety levels, already at a high point. These students should contact the Dean of Students, the Dean of Women Students or their Chaplain to determine how those anxieties may be met, if only in part. This means that lectures will be made available in suitable online formats.

16 – The College has in place a Student Mental Health policy. It is wide-ranging in its applicability such that, for example, the College has procedures to deal with those students experiencing mental health issues arising from the pandemic, including those travelling from overseas to be at College.

17 – A person is not to come to College if they are sick. It is vital that if any person feels sick that they stay at home and seek professional advice.

18 – If a person exhibits even the slightest symptoms of the virus they must stay away from College and get tested for the virus. The detailed procedures College will take in this event are set out in Appendix 1.

19 – Symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild illness to pneumonia. Some people will recover easily, and others may get very sick very quickly. People with coronavirus may experience symptoms such as:

1. • Fever
   • respiratory symptoms
     • coughing
     • sore throat
     • shortness of breath

20 – Other symptoms can include runny nose, headache, muscle or joint pains, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of sense of smell, altered sense of taste, loss of appetite and fatigue. To stop the spread of COVID-19 people with even mild symptoms of respiratory infection are encouraged to get tested.

21 – These are the basic steps to be followed:

1. • Wash hands often with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds.
   • Use hand sanitiser where it is provided.
   • Keep hands away from mouth, nose and eyes to avoid transferring virus droplets.
   • Clean and disinfect frequently used work surfaces.
   • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue; then throw the tissue away and wash your hands. OR cough / sneeze into your elbow.

22 – Everyone needs to maintain social distancing of 1.5m when in close contact with another person or persons. Close contact’ means having face-to-face contact for more than 15 minutes with someone, or alternatively sharing a closed space with them for more than two hours. Close contact can happen in many ways, but examples include:

1. • living in the same household or household-like setting (for example, a boarding school or hostel);
   • direct contact with the body fluids or laboratory specimens of a confirmed case;
   • being in the same room or office for two hours or more; and
   • face-to-face contact for more than 15 minutes in some other setting such as in a car or a lift or sitting next to them on public transport.

23 – It is good practice not to get close to someone: eg looking over someone’s shoulder to see their PC screen. This helps reduce any anxiety that the person with the screen may have.

24 – Some people are considered vulnerable persons for COVID-19 purposes. The College recognises that they will need to be treated with an extra level of care as they are at greater risk of more serious illness if they contract the virus. The extra care will apply in varying ways for:

• Vulnerable persons who are students or workers; and
• Those students and workers who live with or care for vulnerable persons.

35 – Appendix 2 sets out the various criteria that define a vulnerable person, being those:

• with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems
• with disability
• who are older
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• People in aged care facilities

31 – If a person has a chronic condition or a compromised immune system the College will require them to obtain from their Doctor, or specialist, a medical certificate that clears the person to return to their particular circumstances at College (which need to be disclosed to the Doctor). A copy of the medical certificate should be given to the People & Culture Manager, for employees, and the Dean of Students / Dean of Women for students.

27 – These General Rules apply:

• Wash hands or use hand sanitiser before entering common spaces
• Maintain 1.5m social distance
• Room doors will specify the maximum number of people allowed in the room. The maximum number of people in a room is the area of the room divided by 2 (i.e. application of the 2 sq.m direction).

28 – In addition to the General Rules these are the Newtown Campus Rules:

• Register by use of the QR Code
• Use hand sanitiser or wash hands in bathrooms or immediately on entry
• Visitors to proceed to the Concierge desk and register via the QR Code
• Maximum of 4 people in lifts at any one time
• Internal doors to be propped open where security is not compromised. (Fire doors must not be ‘chocked’ open as they provide a vital fire safety control.)
• Visitors for TGI will be met by a TGI staff member

29 – Appendix 3 sets out the procedures for each building and, where relevant, individual rooms

30 – Appendix 4 sets out the procedures for housing including JCH.

32 – The air conditioning systems are inspected and maintained regularly. Wherever practicable steps will be taken to secure some air flow in buildings which do not have air conditioning.

33 – The desks are arranged such that each student is sitting in a space of 2 sq.m. It is recommended that students use the same desk and chair when they are in a teaching space

34 – Students are provided with wipes to clean the desk and chair they use before the start of a lecture, and at its conclusion.

35 – One of the benefits of learning in community is the after class discussion students have with others. It is important that social distancing of 1.5m be observed.

36 – The 1.5m social distancing requirement applies to the rooms not used for lectures, including the Knox Annex and those in 19-21 King Street.

37 – Chaplaincy groups will be held in rooms, or in Faculty homes, as organised by the Chaplains.

38 – Appropriate arrangements will be made for Chapel.

39 – Face masks do not need to be worn in the Library. However, people should feel free to wear a mask if they feel comfortable doing so.

40 – The desks in the Library are set out such that 1.5m social distancing can be observed, and the number of persons in the Library at any one time duly limited.

41 – The Library has a policy relating to the handling of books and other resources (eg: a 24 hour quarantine period for returned books) to minimise the risk of transmission of the virus.

42 – A visitor must pre-arrange their visit to the Library and use the QR Code on entry to the Library.

43 – The tables and chairs in the Dining Room will be configured to allow each person to abide by the 2 sq.m rule. It is important that the configuration is not changed.

44 – Meals will be served to students by the Kitchen staff in the kitchen. It will be good practice to maintain some spacing, although the 1.5m rule will not apply as students are not expected to be in the queue for 15 minutes or more.

45 – Meals may be separately plated or take-away based on the number of students on campus. Meal times may vary.

46 – At the end of meals:

• Clean up of tables will be done by students
• Additional bins/buckets will be provided for food scraps, recycling bottles, cutlery
• Plates to be stacked on a table outside the door of the kitchen area
• All tables will be wiped down by students using disinfecting wipes provided.

47 – JCH residents continue to have breakfast and dinner in the Dining Room at the normal times.

48 – Student morning teas will be provided in such a way that social distancing will be able to be observed to help minimise any particular congestion.

49 – Normal operations and arrangements will be in place.

50 – The College will put in place, in consultation with staff, procedures covering various aspects including:

• The use and cleaning of shared spaces (eg: the lunch area on level 2)
• The use and cleaning of shared equipment and facilities: eg kitchen appliances; photocopiers– kitchen, photocopier, phones

51 – Face-to-face events will be held in accordance with the Rules. Pre-registration is required. All attendees will need to be recognised as present at the event by use of the College’s QR Code.

52 – These validation procedures apply:

• TGI: To be directed to level 5 for due registration using the TGI QR Code.
• For College
  • To be met by a College host and accompanied
  • QR Code registration and visitor’s card on lanyard issued at Concierge
  • General Rules

• For College overnight
  • To be met by College host and accompanied
  • QR Code registration and visitor’s card on lanyard issued at Concierge
  • Keys and swipes to be wiped before handing out and as received back
  • General Rules

54 – Contractors working on site:

1. • To be met by College host and accompanied whenever practicable
   • QR Code registration and visitor’s card on lanyard issued at Concierge
   • Keys and swipes to be wiped before handing out and as received back
   • Details of areas visited to be recorded

53 – The College will work with its contractors who work on site to inform them of the College’s rules and to obtain from them their COVID-19 Safe Plans, or equivalent.

54 – The College will continue to work closely with TGI.

55 – The College will work with Youthworks, Matthias Media, Generate, Two Way Ministries, E&NC and Cornhill to enable the College and them to provide safe and secure workplaces and study places. The College will continue to inform each of them of its return to College plans before it implements them. Each tenant will:

1. • Operate within the General Rules;
   • Inform the College of its return to work plans before it implements them; and
   • Provide the College with its own COVID-19 Safe Plan for review before it returns additional workers and any students to the Newtown campus.

56 – Youthworks and Two Ways Ministries will use the College’s QR Code. ENC, Generate and Matthias Media will use their own codes, and register via the College’s QR Code when their personnel come onto the campus.

57 – The College will liaise with its commercial and retail tenants along King Street, Newtown.

Procedures if a COVID-19 event occurs

There are separate procedures for:

1. Person finds out they have the virus or begins to suspect they have it – whilst at College
2. Person finds out they have the virus – whilst away from College
3. Person showing some symptoms of the virus – whilst away from College

Person finds out they have the virus or begins to suspect they have it – whilst at College

1. The person should immediately contact either the Operations Manager or WHS Officer and move away from others.
2. The Operations Manager or WHS Officer will arrange for the person to move to a separate area and helped to don a mask and use wipes as provided in the special kits College will have in place.
3. The WHS Officer will contact the Principal and Chief Operating Officer. The Principal will contact the Archbishop. The COO will advise the tenants who occupy the College’s teaching premises including TGI.
4. WHS Officer will ring the health authorities by calling the national COVID-19 hotline on 1800 020 080. The College will follow the advice of health officials and work in conjunction with them.
5. The Operations Manager or WHS Officer will make arrangements so the person has transport either to their home or to a medical facility. Any single male or female student will be taken to RPA.
6. The Principal will convene an immediate meeting of the COVID-19 Task Force to address initially the various related issues, including to:
   • Review the advice from NSW Health to ensure all matters have been covered.
   • Finalise communications to students and workers, with Marketing & Communications Manager being responsible for distribution.
7. The WHS Officer or People & Culture Manager will notify NSW SafeWork (13 10 50) and EML the College’s Workers’ Compensation Insurer (13 77 22).
8. Workers and students (except for JCH residents) will be sent home to isolate. If the infected person had contact with large parts of the workplace, all workers and students may have to self-isolate for 14 days.
9. JCH residents will return to their rooms and told to self-isolate.
10. The Operations Manager, WHS Officer and Dean of Students, using the sign in sheets as a primary source, will identify who on the College campus had close contact with the person up to 24 hours before the person first started experiencing symptoms.
11. The area where the person has been studying or working and all the places they have been will be cleaned. This may mean evacuating those areas. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be used when cleaning. The Operations Manager is responsible for this step. The College’s contract cleaners will do the cleaning.
12. The Operations Manager will instigate a review of the way College has been controlling the risks of COVID-19 to determine whether work may need to change, with workers kept up to date on what is happening and on the appropriate safety procedures.

 

Person finds out they have the virus – whilst away from college

1. NSW Health will contact College, presumably the Principal. It will instigate the various processes necessary; hence the following is a guide only.
2. The WHS Officer will ensure the Principal and Chief Operating Officer have been contacted. The COO will advise the tenants who occupy the College’s teaching premises including TGI.
3. The Principal will contact the Archbishop.
4. The Principal will convene an immediate meeting of the COVID-19 Task Force using MS Teams to address initially the various related issues, including to:
   • Determine who will help NSW Health with the various tasks.
   • Review the advice from NSW Health to ensure all matters have been covered.
   • Finalise communications to students and workers, with the Marketing & Communications Manager being responsible for distribution
5. The WHS Officer or People & Culture Manager will notify NSW SafeWork (13 10 50) and EML the College’s Workers’ Compensation Insurer (13 77 22).
6. Workers and students (except for JCH residents) will be sent home to isolate. If the infected person had contact with large parts of the workplace, all workers and students may have to self-isolate for 14 days.
7. JCH residents will return to their rooms and told to self-isolate.
8. The Operations Manager, WHS Officer and Dean of Students, using the sign in sheets as a primary source, will identify who on the College campus had close contact with the person up to 24 hours before the person first started experiencing symptoms.
9. The area where the person had been studying or working and all the places they have been will be cleaned. This may mean evacuating those areas. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be used when cleaning. The Operations Manager is responsible for this step. The College’s contract cleaners will do the cleaning.

 

Person showing some symptoms of the virus – whilst away from College

1. The person must not come into College. They should self-isolate at home and strictly follow their doctor’s advice. It is expected they will need to be tested for the virus.
2. The person should immediately contact either the Operations Manager or WHS Officer. If the person is a student the Dean of Students and the Dean of Women Students will be notified.
3. The person will contact either the Operations Manager or WHS Officer once they have their test result.
4. If the person tests positive then the following will occur.
5. The WHS Officer will contact the Principal and Chief Operating Officer. The Principal will contact the Archbishop. The COO will advise the tenants who occupy the College’s teaching premises including TGI.
6. The WHS Officer or People & Culture Manager will notify NSW SafeWork (13 10 50) and EML the College’s Workers’ Compensation Insurer (13 77 22).
7. The Principal will convene an immediate meeting of the COVID-19 Task Force to address initially the various related issues, including to:
   • Review any advice from NSW Health to ensure all matters have been covered.
   • Finalise communications to students and workers, with the Marketing & Communications Manager being responsible for distribution
8. Workers and students (except for JCH residents) will be sent home to isolate. If the infected person had contact with large parts of the workplace, all workers and students may have to self-isolate for 14 days.
9. JCH residents will return to their rooms and told to self-isolate.
10. The Operations Manager, WHS Officer and Dean of Students, using the sign in sheets as a primary source, will identify who on the College campus had close contact with the person up to 24 hours before the person first started experiencing symptoms.
11. The area where the person has been studying or working and all the places they have been will be cleaned. This may mean evacuating those areas. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be used when cleaning. The Operations Manager is responsible for this step. The College’s contract cleaners will do the cleaning.

Vulnerable persons – Conditions that increase the risk of serious illness from COVID-19

NSW Health

People with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems are at greater risk of more serious illness if they are infected with coronavirus (COVID-19). We must all take to care to protect those most vulnerable.

Anyone could develop serious or severe illness from COVID-19, but those with chronic health conditions or weakened immune systems are at greater risk. If you are working and you have a chronic condition or your immune system is compromised, talk to your employer or workplace about having a risk assessment.

 

Chronic conditions that put you at greater risk

These conditions increase your risk if you are aged over 65, or if you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person aged over 50:

• chronic renal failure
• coronary heart disease
• congestive cardiac failure
• chronic lung disease such as severe asthma, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, suppurative lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or chronic emphysema
• poorly controlled diabetes
• poorly controlled hypertension

 

Immune system conditions that put you at greater risk

• You are at increased risk at any age if your immune system is significantly weakened:
• due to haematologic neoplasms such as leukaemias, lymphomas and myelodysplastic syndromes
• post-transplant, if you have had a solid organ transplant and are on immunosuppressive therapy
• post-transplant, if you have had a haematopoietic stem cell transplant in the last 24 months or are on treatment for graft versus host disease (GVHD)
• by primary or acquired immunodeficiency including HIV infection
• by having chemotherapy or radiotherapy

 

Medical treatments that put you at greater risk

You are also at increased risk if you take any biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (bDMARD) or any of the following immunosuppressive drugs:

• azathioprine, more than 3mg per kg per day
• 6-mercaptopurine, more than 1.5mg per kg per day
• methotrexate, more than 0.4mg per kg per week
• high-dose corticosteroids (20mg or more of prednisone per day or equivalent) for 14 days or more
• tacrolimus
• cyclosporine
• cyclophosphamide
• mycophenolate
• any combination of these or other DMARDs
• Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are used to treat inflammatory forms of arthritis. They suppress the immune system and this slows the development of the arthritis.
• Some DMARDS have a broad effect on the immune system while the biological DMARDS target specific parts of the immune system.

 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for people with disability

• It is important we all take care to protect people with a disability from coronavirus.
• Some people with disability have higher rates of health issues including chronic conditions and weakened immune system.
• Many people with disability rely on support and assistance from family members, carers and support workers.

 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for older people

People aged 70 years and over, people aged 65 years and over with chronic medical conditions, people with compromised immune systems, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the age of 50, are at greater risk of more serious illness if they are infected with coronavirus. Your risk of serious illness from coronavirus increases if you are:

• aged 70 years or over
• aged 65 years or over and have a chronic medical condition
• an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person aged 50 years and over who has a chronic medical condition
• immune suppressed

 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are at greater risk from COVID-19. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are at greater risk of coronavirus if they:

• are aged 50 years and over with chronic medical conditions
• have a weakened immune system
• are aged 70 years and over

See full information on the Department of Health website.

Specific building and room procedures

1 King – all

• General Rules
• Newtown Campus Rules
• Use stairs only to access Level 1 whenever practicable
• Bathrooms
  • Increased cleaning of taps and door handles and other frequently touched surfaces
  • Use paper towel to open doors for exiting and place it in a bin in the public area
• Increased cleaning will be focused on handrails, door handles and frequently touched surfaces

 

1 King – Library

• General Rules
• Newtown Campus Rules
• Sign in and out
• Only use spaces allocated
• Wipe spaces down prior to using
• Social distancing including in aisles
• Books used to be quarantined for three days when practicable
• E-books to be purchased to alleviate pressure on High Demand books/resources
• High demand books to be carefully managed by Librarians

 

All Lecture Rooms and teaching spaces

• General Rules
• Newtown Campus Rules
• Wipe down desks and chairs on arrival and departure by students using wipes provided
• Wipes disposed of in bins outside the doors
• Additional cleaning will be focused on doors and lectern area before and after classes in rooms used

 

1 King – PostGrad Room

• General Rules
• Newtown Campus Rules
• No sharing of desks

 

1 King – Faculty area

• General Rules
• Newtown Campus Rules

 

1 King – Staff floor

• General Rules
• Newtown Campus Rules

 

1 King – TGI (these have been developed in consultation with TGI)

• Common Rules
• Newtown Campus Rules
• Employees to go directly to lifts and to Level 5 where TGI procedures take effect
• Visitors to be met at the door by TGI host and accompanied directly to the lift and to Level 5 where TGI procedures take effect
• Couriers and deliveries to be taken at the Ground Level doors by TGI representative

 

Kitchen

• General Rules
• Newtown Campus Rules
• Procedures for receiving deliveries will be appropriate for the type and packaging of the goods
• No one is to enter the kitchen area uninvited.
• Any person invited into the kitchen space will wash their hands with soap and water before entering and if appropriate will wear a mask

 

19 King

• General Rules
• Newtown Campus Rules
• Kitchenettes will have surfaces wiped down by College cleaners twice daily
• Users of the kitchenettes will wipe down surfaces before and after use using wipes provided

 

27 King

• General Rules
• Newtown Campus Rules
• No uninvited visitors will enter
• Visitors including contractors to be limited per CGG
• Visitors/deliveries to be met the door

 

31 King

• Refer tenants

 

45 King

• General Rules
• Newtown Campus Rules
• Occupants to self-manage
• Additional cleaning supplies supplied by College for occupant use
• King Street door will be opened only using something preventing direct contact between the handle and skin: eg glove, paper towel.

Housing procedures including JCH

John Chapman House

• General Rules
• As the number of occupants increase the number of visitors allowed will be below the number allowed by Government directions.
• Bathrooms and cubicles to be allocated to students
• Increased cleaning of bathrooms, door handles and other frequently touched surfaces
• Common spaces will have signage indicating maximum people
• Additional wipes and sanitiser will be provided
• Residents will self-manage the use of the kitchen areas and appliances
• Students will be inducted and asked to declare knowledge of protocols specific to JCH
• Students will be strongly encouraged to have the COVIDSafe app active on their phone whenever (possible) when they are out of their rooms

 

Annandale; 43 King; JCH Flat 1; JCH Flat 2

• Each designated as a separate household
• Each household to self-manage
• Additional cleaning supplies supplied by College for household use

 

107 Campbell

• Dependent on occupant. Treat as separate household unless the occupant is a student or visiting lecturer
• Leave three days minimum between bookings.
• Cleaning supplies supplied by College for occupant use

 

Marrieds in Newtown houses

• Each is a separate household: self-manage

 

Marrieds in Queen St townhouses

• Each is a separate household: self-manage
• College will work with the student families and the Strata Management company, as appropriate, to ensure appropriate use and cleaning of any common areas

 

Marrieds in BHG House

• Each flat treated as separate household: self-manage
• Common space cleaning and use to be organised by the families

 

Marrieds in 124 Croydon Ave

• Each unit treated as own household to self-manage
• Common space cleaning to be organised by the families
• Study spaces not to be shared, and self-managed
• Community space to be managed in accordance with the General Rules

 

Marrieds in 126 Croydon Ave

• Each unit is a separate household: self-manage
• College will work with the student families and the Strata Management company, as appropriate, to ensure appropriate use and cleaning of any common areas

 

Marrieds in MooreWest

• Each unit is a separate household: self-manage
• Common space cleaning to be organised by the families
• Study spaces not to be shared, and self-managed
• Community space to be managed in accordance with the General Rules