UPDATE 27/03/2020

With the growing number of COVID-19 infections within NSW, Elite Education Institute has taken steps to ensure the safety and well-being of its staff and students, as well as the wider Australian community.

As of 30 March 2020, all EEI staff will work remotely whilst classes will also be delivered remotely for the interim period. If you wish to speak to an EEI staff member, please contact us via info@ee.edu.au or 02 9211 4958. This also means that EEI Campuses will be closed for the duration of the Interim Remote Delivery unless an appointment request is received.

These are challenging times but the arrangements made will be of benefit to all staff and students as well as the wider community.  Students are urged to monitor Moodle and emails for regular updates and instructions.

UPDATE 23/03/2020

Elite Education Institute is open and operating. While we’re not aware of any cases within our student and staff community, we’re taking precautionary measures to reduce the risk of the spread of the virus. These precautions are to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and broader community.

Please regularly check your emails for any updates on COVID-19 and further measures taken by Elite to minimise the risk to students and staff.

UPDATE 16/03/2020

Australia is committed to ensuring that any international student, whether arriving or already in Australia, has access to the highest level of information, support and care.

• The Minister for Education is in regular contact with education providers and education peak bodies as we continue to co-ordinate our response to the coronavirus and ensure that all international students affected by travel restrictions are able to transition smoothly into Australia when those restrictions are lifted.
• Australia is very well prepared for dealing with the coronavirus. Our health emergency response arrangements are flexible and scalable. Australian government agencies are working closely to support and inform students and education providers.
• Study Australia partners are here to support the Australian international education community.  Whether you’re in Australia or abroad, follow our social media channels for regular updates.

Notice to all international students arriving in Australia

• • The Australian Government announced on March 15 2020 that all travellers arriving from overseas from midnight (AEDT) on March 15 2020 will be required to self-isolate for 14 days. This requirement is applicable to all travellers, including Australian citizens.
  • Failure to comply with this requirement will result in penalties.
  • For further information on travel restrictions for specific countries, please read below and visit the Department of Home Affairs website.

Please refer to the Study in Australia website where they can access a suite of resources and latest information, including in relation to travel and visa information, and wellbeing support. Elite also regularly circulates updates to all students via email & Moodle, therefore please check your accounts regulalry. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us on 02 9211 4958 at any time.

UPDATE 06/03/2020

Extension of COVID-19 travel restrictions

The Australian Government recently announced that coronavirus (COVID-19) travel restrictions have been extended to people travelling to Australia from Iran and South Korea.

The Department of Education, Skills and Employment has updated student relevant fact sheets to reflect this:

• Advice for international students travelling to Australia from affected countries
• Coronavirus FAQs for international students (English).

You can access the updated fact sheets on the department’s website.
For further health advice please visit the Department of Health website.
For further information on travel restrictions please visit the Department of Home Affairs website.

UPDATE 04/02/2020

Coronavirus update at a glance

The advice of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for travel to mainland China is ‘level 4 – do not travel’.

On the advice of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee and the Communicable Diseases Network Australia, the Prime Minister has applied the following travel restrictions to people entering Australia having left mainland China after 1 February 2020:

• foreign nationals (excluding permanent residents of Australia) who are in mainland China, will not be allowed to enter Australia until 14 days after they have left or transited through mainland China
• Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family will still be able to enter Australia, as well as airline crews who have been using appropriate personal protective equipment

Australians concerned about family overseas should call the DFAT Consular emergency line.

In addition the following isolation requirements apply:

• if you have travelled to Hubei Province within the past 14 days, you must isolate yourself until 14 days have elapsed after leaving Hubei Province
• if you have left, or transited through, mainland China on or after 1 February 2020 you must isolate yourself until 14 days after leaving China
• if you have been in close contact with a confirmed case of novel coronavirus, you must isolate yourself for 14 days after last contact with the confirmed case

Importantly, these requirements apply to students attending childcare, school or higher education.

Please visit https://www.health.gov.au/news/coronavirus-update-at-a-glance for more information.

UPDATE 31/01/2020

Re: Update on Coronavirus – a virus known to cause illness and spread person to person.

Elite Education Institute hereby shares an updated Factsheet for Students from the Department of Health. Please carefully read the information attached and take precautions if needed.

If you have travelled to Hubei Province, China within the past 14 days, you must isolate yourself for 14 days after leaving Hubei Province. If you have been in close contact with a confirmed case of novel coronavirus, you must isolate yourself for 14 days after last contact with the confirmed case. Students in these circumstances should not attend university or college and must avoid contact with other students and staff.

If you have travelled to mainland China in general but not Hubei Province, we do not currently recommend self-isolation. The development of cases outside of Hubei Province is being closely monitored and this advice will be updated if necessary.

If you develop symptom within 14 days of leaving Hubei Province or within 14 days of last contact with the confirmed case, you should arrange to see your usual doctor for urgent assessment. You should telephone the health clinic or hospital before you arrive and tell them of your travel history or that you have been in contact with a confirmed case of novel coronavirus. Your doctor will liaise with Public Health authorities to manage your care. You must then remain isolated either in your home or a healthcare setting until Public Health authorities inform you that it is safe for you to return to your usual activities.

In diagnosed cases, symptoms have included:

• serious respiratory illness with fever;
• coughing;
• shortness of breath;
• breathing difficulties.

SmarTraveller now recommends no to travel to and from Wuhan City in Hubei Province. Consult the SmarTraveller website (https://www.smartraveller.gov.au) for up-to-date travel advice.

Elite Education Institute (EEI) continues to monitor all information from the Australian Government Chief Medical Officer,  the New South Wales Health Department and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Further information and up to date notices about Coronavirus can be found on the Australian Government Department of Health homepage at www.health.gov.au or call the Public Health Information Line on 1800 044 599.

You may also discuss any questions you may have with the relevant state Public Health Agency.

• NSW call 1300 066 055
• Vic call 1300 651 160

UPDATE 29/01/2020

KEY POINTS

• The Australian Government has notified Elite Education Institute (and all Australian higher education providers) of an outbreak of coronavirus originating in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. Current information suggests a significant increase in cases of the coronavirus and evidence of human-to-human transmission.
• SmarTraveller now advises to ‘reconsider your need to travel’ to and from Wuhan City in Hubei Province. Consult the SmarTraveller website (https://www.smartraveller.gov.au) for up-to-date travel advice.
• Elite Education Institute (EEI) continues to monitor all information from the Australian Government Chief Medical Officer, the New South Wales Health Department and the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Victoria (Melbourne Students): The Department of Health and Human Services established a dedicated novel coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398.
• Further information and up to date notices about Coronavirus can be found on the Factsheet for Students and Staff, or on the Australian Government Department of Health homepage at health.gov.au or call the Public Health Information Line on 1800 044 599.

SYMPTOMS

In diagnosed cases, symptoms included (but are not limited to):

• serious respiratory illness with fever;
• coughing;
• fatigue;
• sore throat;
• shortness of breath;
• breathing difficulties.

IF YOU’RE FEELING UNWELL

Health workers in NSW public hospitals and community-based GPs in New South Wales and Victoria have been issued guidance to help them identify any potential cases. Anyone who has travelled to/within the Wuhan area of China in the last 14 days and developed respiratory symptoms or if you feel you may have been in contact with someone who has recently travelled in an affected area or who exhibits symptoms, you are advised to consult your doctor immediately.

• If you are experiencing symptoms, call the Department of Health and Human Services dedicated novel coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398, and wear a surgical mask to avoid potential spread of any illness.
• If you are experiencing symptoms, you are advised to consult your doctor immediately.
• Staff unable to come to work are subject to regular sick leave entitlements.
• 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
• Don’t spend time with people who are sick
• Don’t go to work or class if you feel sick

Students and staff attending classes will be asked to self-exclude from classes if they feel unwell or are experiencing symptoms. Students will not be penalised for missing classroom time if they feel unwell or are experiencing symptoms.

Please contact Elite Education Institute Staff on 02 9211 4958 if you have any questions.