Dear Staff,
From tomorrow (14 April 2022) at 1am, the Queensland Government no longer requires people to be vaccinated to attend a range of locations including restaurants and cafes, events and entertainment venues, galleries, libraries, and museums. However, vaccination and check-in requirements will continue for anyone visiting or working in vulnerable and high-risk settings.
Reconsideration of UQ’s vaccination requirement
A great deal has changed since making the decision last December to implement UQ’s vaccination requirement.
Our borders have reopened to interstate and international travel. The government continues to ease restrictions. Omicron is the dominant variant in Queensland and, while still highly contagious, is less severe than earlier variants. In addition, more than 91 per cent of Queenslanders are vaccinated, which is also reflected across our staff and student community.
While the high vaccination rate has helped us through the most recent infection peaks, we know that unless vaccinations are kept up to date, their efficacy against infection and transmission reduces over time.
As a result, over the past few weeks, we have been consulting with staff and student representative groups to consider a proposal to suspend UQ’s vaccination requirement.
After considering our revised risk assessment, the advice from health experts, the feedback from the consultation and the lifting of government restrictions, I have decided to suspend our vaccination requirement to attend UQ locations from Tuesday 3 May 2022.
Given that the efficacy of vaccines wanes over time unless they are kept up to date, suspending the vaccination requirement will not make a substantive difference to transmission rates. Instead, we will continue to strongly encourage, educate and facilitate staff and students to receive their vaccinations, including a booster, when they are due. We will also continue with the other safety measures we have in place to reduce the COVID-19 risks to our community.
A summary of the decision is available online.
Staff and students visiting or working in vulnerable and high-risk settings will still be required to follow government public health directions on vaccinations and check-in for these locations.
Preparing for the change
I understand that some in our community may be anxious about the suspension of the vaccination requirement in early May. I want to assure you that our Health, Safety and Wellness, HR and Student Services teams will be providing support and resources to help with the transition – particularly for vulnerable members of our community.
I would also encourage all supervisors/managers to facilitate discussions with their team, and to put in place the necessary safety measures and local business plans that are right for their area and individual team members.
The high vaccination rate of our staff and students has contributed significantly to reducing severe illness and the impact of COVID-19 on our own community over the past few months. It is a tremendous effort, and I would like to thank all those who were able to get vaccinated.
I also acknowledge the challenges and additional work for some of our staff and students who had to adapt work and study arrangements as a result of the requirement.
Supporting safe working and learning environments
It remains important that we each take responsibility for keeping ourselves and others safe by:
- Keeping our vaccinations up to date and getting our COVID-19 booster and flu vaccination when due
- Staying at home if we are feeling unwell
- Informing supervisors/managers and colleagues if we test positive
- Remaining 1.5 metres apart to the extent possible
- Wearing a face mask when we can’t physically distance
- Washing our hands often using soap and water or hand sanitiser.
In addition, the University will:
- Encourage and facilitate staff and students to stay up to date with their vaccinations
- Supply P2(N95) respirators and rapid antigen tests (RATs) where necessary in line with University guidelines
- Provide staff, including casual staff, with up to 10 additional days of COVID-19 leave if they’ve exhausted their personal leave
- Monitor air quality in high density areas
- Review local business continuity plans to accommodate the needs of vulnerable people, individuals and teams
- Provide advice and resources via our COVID-19 website including what to do when someone tests positive or is a close contact.
Keeping your vaccinations up to date
Staff and students are strongly encouraged to get their COVID-19 booster when due, and also the flu vaccination. The booster is a key measure to help reduce severe illness and hospitalisation. The University will continue to support staff who need to take time off to get these vaccinations.
Over the coming weeks, we will be announcing details of extended UQ Health Care vaccination clinics for staff and students (including international students) to book their COVID-19 vaccination appointments.
I understand that some staff may have concerns about the suspension of UQ’s vaccination requirement in early May. I would encourage you to speak with your supervisor/manager or HR (askhr@uq.edu.au) about these and your individual circumstances.
I also want to assure you that the University will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation. As demonstrated throughout the pandemic, we will continue to follow government directions and, where necessary, we will implement the measures required to keep our community safe.
Thank you again to our community for your continued conscientiousness in prioritising the safety of our community.
With best wishes,
Debbie
