Coronavirus (COVID-19) FAQs

The easing of restrictions announced on Monday 26 October 2020 means we can slowly start to invite some students back onto campus. You will hear from your teacher or teaching area if you are one of the students eligible to return to campus.

Eligibility to Return to Campus

Only students who have been invited, who are well and present no risk are eligible to return to campus. A student declaration coupled with entry screening will assess this. Students with underlying health conditions or in high risk categories that would make them vulnerable should not return to campus. However, if you are in a high risk category and need to return to campus for a practical or assessment, which cannot be completed remotely, please contact your course coordinator who can explain the risk assessment and approval process you will need to undertake. This will also require consultation with your GP. This process does take time so please make sure you allow plenty of time before your allocated return to campus date to complete the approval process.

If you are feeling unwell or have cold or flu symptoms, please do not attend campus.

Daily Screening

All students returning to campus will be required to attend a screening station where the Concierge Team will conduct temperature checks and health. Students are asked to arrive 15 mins before class to ensure they can be screened efficiently before their scheduled class begins. Once a student passes their screening, they will receive a sticker, which indicates their eligibility to be on campus for that day only. 

QR Codes

We have introduced a QR codes system that requires all students to scan the QR code on a poster on each building before entry. You will need to scan the right-side QR code with the camera or QR code scanner app of your Smartphone. Go to the link contained in the QR code and submit your details via the form.

If you are unable to scan the QR code, please record your details at the Entry Monitoring Screening station noting the buildings you will be accessing while on site. Your details will be collected for contact tracing in the event of a suspected COVID-19 case on campus.

Face Masks

Face masks are mandatory for people aged over 12. You must wear a fitted face mask that covers the nose and mouth. Face shields, bandanas, scarves, loose snoods, loose buffs and loose neck gaiters are not a sufficient face covering. A fitted snood, fitted buff or fitted gaiter is allowed.

Please note that teachers are not required to wear face coverings while teaching but may choose to do so.

Infection Control

The main reason for students returning to campus is to attend class. Social Distancing must be adhered to at all times in and outside the classroom. Once class has finished, students are required to leave campus. If a student is found to be in breach of the social distancing requirements, they may be asked to leave campus and return at an advised date. 

You must complete this Infection Control Training before attending campus.

Cafés and Libraries

The café at Elgar is open 9:00am - 2:00pm Monday to Friday. Lilydale Point of View Cafe is open 8am - 3:30pm Monday to Friday. Nelson’s café remains is closed however the vending machines will be available.

Libraries will reopen from 2 November.

• The Elgar library will be open 8.30am – 4.30pm, Monday – Friday.
• The Nelson library will be open from 10.30am to 2.30pm, Tuesday – Thursday.
• Lilydale library will be open 9.30am – 2.30pm, Monday – Friday.

Library staff can be reached by leaving a message on (03) 9286 9283 or by emailing library@boxhill.edu.au.

Did you know that you can access eBooks via Box Hill Institute library? If you want to know more about finding and accessing library eBooks, visit StudentWeb here.

Public Transport

Public Transport Victoria has information on its website about the measures it is taking to keep passengers safe, including increased cleaning and cashless transactions. It also outlines measures passengers can take including social distancing. 

Feedback

While we are working through this phased transition to campus, we are encouraging students to share feedback with us about our processes and procedures on campus in response to COVID-19.

Students can send feedback to customerrelations@boxhill.edu.au. Collecting this feedback will enable our project team to ensure that our processes are working effectively in our goal to keep you safe.

Student Life 

If you require support during this time, please contact Student Life on (03) 9286 9891 or email studentlife@boxhill.edu.au.  

For International Students, please contact the International Student Wellbeing Officer, Nikki Singh on (03) 9286 9445 or via email at nikita.singh@boxhill.edu.au. 

If you have questions about your academic progress and would like assistance with your assessments, please contact the International Academic Advisor, Faz Maghami on (03) 9286 9734 or via email at f.maghami@boxhill.edu.au.  

FAQs

I have been invited to return to campus to attend a class but is it safe?

Increased health and safety measures have been introduced to ensure the safety of all people on site. This includes:

• Health screening of staff and students as they come onto campus
• Temperature checking and social distancing awareness 
• Increased cleaning schedules and the wiping of shared surfaces

To assist with contact tracing, each building is marked with a QR code, which you must scan before entering the building.

1. Scan the QR code with the camera or QR code scanner app of your Smartphone.
2. Go to the link contained in the QR code.
3. Fill in your details and press [Submit].

Your information will not be released to the public or shared with any third party except the government agency responsible to contact people who may have been exposed to COVID-19 or where otherwise required for the purposes of contact tracing.

Your details will be kept for the period specified by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Why have I been asked to complete an online Eligibility to Return to Campus Declaration?

All students returning to campus during this time will be required to complete an online Eligibility to Return to Campus Declaration confirming that they will abide by the increased COVID-19 measures. This includes adhering to social distancing requirements, only using prescribed entry/exit points on campus, following cleaning instructions, and submitting to daily screening procedures. 

It is not compulsory that you sign this declaration agreeing to these conditions, however to return to campus during the pandemic you must do so.

Breaching this agreement will result in immediate removal from campus and potentially being prevented from returning to campus for the duration of the pandemic.

How is Box Hill Institute managing social distancing requirements on campus?

To ensure that we are abiding by the social distancing requirements, the following measures have been implemented:

• Limiting class sizes to ensure that social distancing requirements can be met
• Adjusting rooms where required
• Zoning off common areas
• Increased signage to support safe practices
• Limiting the number of people on campus at any given time
• Ensuring that everyone only remains on campus for the duration of their class

What support is available for Apprentices and Trainees?

Apprentices and trainees who have been suspended or lost their job completely can register with the Victorian Government's Program for retrenched apprentices and trainees.

You can apply for the new Jobseeker payments if both apply:

• you're not receiving Youth Allowance (Apprentice) payments
• you've lost your job and are not receiving an income due to coronavirus (COVID-19)

If you're seeking Jobseeker payments, you do not need to provide an employment separation certificate. This means that if you have had your apprenticeship suspended – but not terminated – you're still eligible for Jobseeker payments.

If you're looking for alternative employment, you can:

• register with the Victorian Government's Working for Victoria program
• access the Australian Government's Jobs Hub