COVID-19 Information

COVID-19 Information as of 12 February 2021.

Urbanest is committed to supporting our residents, staff and partners through this difficult time. Our student’s health and safety are of utmost importance and we’re taking the necessary precautions to ensure their well-being is not compromised.

To date, there have been no cases of COVID-19 at Urbanest and we will continue to update you as we respond to the pandemic.

Looking after your mental health during COVID 19 restrictions

The Australian Government is providing 10 additional Medicare-subsidised psychological therapy sessions for Australians affected by the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

To access these additional sessions, you will have to have a Mental Health Treatment Plan and a review with your GP. This will allow you to continue to receive mental health care from your psychologist, psychiatrist, GP or other eligible allied health workers.

The additional sessions are for people who have already used their 10 sessions through their Mental Health Treatment Plan, and who are:

• subject to public health orders restricting their movement within a state or territory issued at any time from 1 July 2020 to 31 March 2021
• required to isolate or quarantine under public health orders

This measure will commence on Friday 7 August 2020 and will be available until 31 March 2021.

Find out more about looking after your mental health during COVID-19 restrictions or read Minister Hunt’s announcement.

TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS | AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT 

Travel to Australia 

The Australian Government introduced a travel ban that will be placed on all non-residents and non-Australian citizens coming to Australia, effective from 9 pm on Friday, 20 March 2020.

The borders are currently closed to all travellers, with the exception of Australian citizens and residents. For more information about whether you can enter Australia or not, please consult The Department of Home Affairs.

It is mandatory for everyone arriving in Australia to go into government-approved mandatory quarantine for 14 days from arrival. Each state and territory have their own quarantine process and travellers may have to pay a contribution to the cost of quarantine. You won’t be able to travel domestically or continue on any domestic flight connections until the 14-day mandatory quarantine period has been completed.

Travel in Australia 

Australian states and territories each have their own restrictions, including the closing of state borders. Find out more about the restrictions in your state:

• NSW – NSW Government Health
• SA – Government of South Australia SA Health
• QLD – Queensland Government Health and Wellbeing
• VIC – Victoria State Government Health and Human Services.

What to do if you are unable to arrive

If you’ve not been able to arrive in Australia due to the recent border closure, please contact us via email and we will endeavour to assist in deferring your booking until a later time.   

HEALTH ADVICE | AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT 

It is important that the residents of Urbanest continue to follow advice from the Australian Government which will save lives and help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Australia.

• Stay 1.5 meters away from other people whenever and wherever we can.
• Maintain good hygiene, including regular hand washing, cover your cough/sneeze and clean all surfaces.
• Work or study, only where you cannot do it remotely.
• Stay home when you’re unwell and get tested in you have respiratory symptoms or a fever.
• Download the COVIDSafe app so the virus can be found quickly.

The success of making Australia COVIDSafe relies on everyone making these safety habits part of their daily lives during the COVID-19 pandemic.

RULES AND RESTRICTIONS 

Important: Each state in Australia is enforcing social distancing laws and restrictions slightly differently.  

Australian states and territories each have their own restrictions, including fines and penalties. Find out more about the restrictions in your state:

• NSW – New South Wales Government
• SA – Government of South Australia
• QLD – Queensland Government
• VIC – Victoria State Government

HOW YOU CAN HELP SLOW THE SPREAD AND STAY UP-TO-DATE

INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

We understand you are far from home, and we know that this can be a confusing time. We are all #InThisTogether. Official COVID-19 related information and help specifically for international students can be found at our partner page  Studying in Australia.

More steps that you can take to stay healthy…

PRACTICE GOOD HYGIENE 

PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING

KNOW THE SYMPTOMS

Together we can help stop the spread and stay healthy

To date there have been no confirmed cases of the COVID-19 at Urbanest and we are prepared if a case is confirmed. 

Under the guidance of the Australian Government, we are taking careful steps to ease some of the restrictions that have been in place at Urbanest. 

Please be reassured that the health and safety of our students is of the utmost importance to us and we appreciate your understanding with the precautionary measures that remain in place.

We’re always looking for more ways to support you…

• Gyms & cinemas are temporarily closed in certain states.
• Common area are temporarily closed in certain states.
• No more than 2 people in the lift at any time.
• Residents must ensure social distancing of 1.5 metres. This means that residents should be at a distance of approximately two arm lengths away from others.
• Social distancing floor decals & caution tape installed for the safety of all residents and staff, as a visual reminder of the required 1.5 metre social distance required.

• Short-term postponement of face-to-face uLife events.
• State-of-the-art hand sanitisers installed at properties to assist with self-hygiene practices.
• Restriction of visitors entering Urbanest properties.
• COVID-19 information poster series displayed in all properties. Examples below:

• Intensified cleaning schedules of common areas.
• New procedures in place for screening and management.
• Additional screening procedures for arriving residents.
• Information packs for arriving residents.
• Hygiene packs made available to residents and staff in the event of a suspected case.
• Communication and regular contact with our residents, partners and staff.
• A dedicated Urbanest Management Response Group is closely monitoring and following all advice from the Australian authorities.

Monitor your health

HOW TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION

If you are sick and suspect that you may have symptoms of COVID-19, please contact reception for support and the team will assist you in seeking medical care. If you want to talk to someone about your symptoms first, call the Coronavirus Health Information Line for medical advice. 

1. Contact Reception or Urbanest 1800 260 801. 
2. Call the National Coronavirus Health Information Line ph. 1800 020 080. 
3. Remain in your room. 
4. See a doctor – call ahead and make an appointment. 

Urbanest reception and the doctor will advise you on the precautionary measures to take in order to receive treatment. Follow the instructions you are given and wear a mask to protect others. Stay at least 1.5 metres away from other people. Cover your coughs or sneezes with your elbow. Your doctor will tell you if you should be tested and they will arrange for the test. The Urbanest team is here to help so you will be supported through this time.

If you have serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing, call 000 for urgent medical help. 

Most people will only have mild symptoms, whilst others may get very sick very quickly. 

WHEN TO SELF-ISOLATE

If a resident is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms: fever, flu-like symptoms such as coughing, sore throat, fatigue and shortness of breath.⁠ If they are concerned, they should remain in their room, contact reception and/or call the National Coronavirus hotline on 1800 020 080.⁠

To see a doctor, call ahead and make an appointment: follow advice from the General Practitioner and Urbanest reception.

If a resident has had contact with a person with suspected COVID-19, they must immediately self-isolate and call their Urbanest property team.

You can find out more about Urbanest’s self-isolating procedures here.

Everyone must practice good hygiene to protect yourself and others...

If you are a resident staying at Urbanest and have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at reception. Our friendly Urbanest team will do their best to provide answers and help support your well-being during this difficult time. We will continue to keep you informed of any changes and/or updates as we monitor the situation.

HELPFUL RESOURCES

• National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080 
• World Health Organisation
• Australian Government Department of Health
• COVID-19 Support | Head to Health
• Smart Traveller
• Coronavirus resources in multiple languages   
• Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employmnet