Important information surrounding COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
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Saturday 21 March 2020
Kia ora ,
Today, our Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Jacinda Ardern announced a newly implemented Alert Level system. Information on today's update by our Prime Minister can be found here
New Zealand is currently at Alert Level Two with 52 confirmed cases.
Alert One - PREPARE: Disease is contained
Alert Two - REDUCE: Disease is contained but risks of community transmission growing
Alert Three - RESTRICT: Heightened risk that disease is not contained
Alert Four - ELIMINATE: Likely that disease is not contained
It is IMPORTANT for us to stress that this is a rapidly evolving situation so preparation is key.
Stay Safe
- STAY HOME if you have any of these symptons: a fever, a cough, shortness of breath, sneezing or a runny nose. You will be sent home if you display any of these symptoms.
- Prevent the spread of COVID-19 with good hygiene practices
- Wash and dry your hands frequently and properly because germs transfer more easily with contact.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces. COVID-19 can remain on some surfaces for up to 3 days.
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow pocket. This keeps the virus off your hands, so you won't spread it to other people.
- Practice social distancing. Avoid customary greetings with colleagues, friends and family such as handshakes, hongi, hugs and kisses...for now
Stay Kind
- Be considerate of those around you who may be immunocompromised. This is about saving lives and we all have our part in uniting against COVID-19. If you do not have to leave the house, don't. Avoid unnecessary movement.
- Checking in on those who are vulnerable will go a long way. Those who are aged 70+, are immunocompromised and/or with certain health conditions are being asked to limit movement and stay at home as much as possible.
- Avoid panic-buying. Supermarkets are considered essential services and will continue to operate at EVERY alert level. Any panic-buying may be compromising someone who needs an essential item.
Stay informed
- Keep up to date with the latest updates including the new Alert System. Head to https://covid19.govt.nz which houses all related information to COVID-19.
- Unitec specific updates will be made available on our website which you can link to here.
Preparing to study off-campus
Contact Details
Please ensure that your contact details are up to date in your Unitec portal. There may not be much advanced warning of a campus closure so it is important that Unitec holds up-to-date contact details including your phone, email and address.
IT Support
Our plans to continue teaching during any campus closure will require student access to digital devices and the internet. If you have limited or no access to an appropriate device (i.e. something bigger than a smartphone) and/or limited access to the internet (either due to a lack of access or limited data caps), please inform your lecturer so we can consider how best to support distance learning for you.
NB: The following link provides a map showing identified free wifi access which you may find helpful: https://www.wifimap.io/2165-auckland-free-wifi/map
Echo 360 and Zoom
Where possible, classes will be taught as per the current timetable. We will be live streaming some of our larger classes using Echo 360 that you can watch from home or on campus. Some classes will continue as usual this week, and some others may be conducted remotely (via Zoom) rather than Face-to-Face. Check your announcements in Moodle for any changes in the way your class is being delivered.
Moodle
Much of your course content will be available via Moodle, as it is now, and we may increase the use of activities on Moodle to replace some face-to-face activities. Please keep up to date with any additional content for your courses.
Assessments
There are a number of ways that assessments can be managed to ensure you aren’t disadvantaged, such as extensions, online versions of assessments and changes to the structure of assessments. Your lecturer will advise you of any plans for managing the assessments in your courses.
Unitec Student Services
A wide range of Student Support services to help you through your studies are available now and can be delivered remotely if the need arises. Please head to the Student Support page within Moodle, or to make an appointment with one of our services call the team through the 0800 number - 0800 10 75 10.
Head to our webpage for the A-Z of Unitec Student Services.
Again...
We cannot stress enough that this is a rapidly evolving situation and must emphasise that if you feel unwell or display any symptoms, STAY HOME. Prepare in the event classes are delivered off-campus and always Stay Safe, Stay Kind, Stay Informed.
Important Links
