News

COVID-19 exposure Ballarat Campus

Statement from ACU Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Dr Stephen Weller.

ACU’s Ballarat has been exposed to a positive case of COVID-19. The period of exposure is 1 September between 3.30pm-6pm, in a nursing laboratory.

All staff and students who were present during exposure period have been asked to get tested immediately and self-quarantine until they receive a negative result.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is directly contacting primary close contacts. The university is working closely with DHHS and is following all protocols about cleaning and safety. The affected building will undergo a deep clean.

ACU Ballarat practical classes on-campus have been suspended until further notice. This will be reviewed over the coming days.

A small number of ACU health sciences staff and students were attending the Ballarat Campus for practical classes in order to complete their studies. All other teaching and learning is online.

This action is in line with all current public health orders, which allow people to travel for work or study that cannot be carried out at home.

It is vital that these health sciences students continue their education. Now, more than ever, critical health workers need to complete their training in order to graduate and join the workforce, and the fight against COVID-19.

And as the largest provider of graduate nurses in Australia, ACU plays a central role in this endeavour.

All staff and students adhere to strict COVIDSafe practices, including wearing masks when physical distancing of 1.5m cannot be observed.