Charles Sturt University
Further Information for Staff
The University is continuing to operate as normal. The University is not currently recommending a standard period of self imposed quarantine following travel to certain areas. As has already been advised however, if you are experiencing Influenza type symptoms and think you might have been exposed to Swine Flu, you should not attend for work. You should contact your doctor and advise them of your symptoms and arrange to attend your doctor for medical assessment. You should also advise your supervisor regarding your absence.
CSU will continue to update staff via the CSU Alerts web page and ‘What's New' as developments or changes occur.
What if I am diagnosed with Human-Swine Influenza or quarantined in relation to a suspected Human-Swine Influenza infection?
Where quarantine and treatment measures have been put in place for staff members suffering or exposed to Human-Swine Influenza, the staff member will remain off work. You should not attend University until you have been cleared of Swine Flu infection or have recovered.
What type of leave will I be on?
If you have influenza like symptoms, you should stay home on sick leave. Please ensure that you advise your supervisor.
Supervisors need to ensure that the staff member has the relevant medical evidence to grant the leave.
What if I need to stay home to care for a family member?
Where a CSU staff member is unable to attend for duty due to carer responsibilities of a member of their immediate family or household (subsequent to illness related to Human-Swine Influenza), the staff member may be granted Carer's Leave with pay.
Please ensure that you advise your supervisor. Supervisors need to ensure that the staff member has the relevant medical evidence to grant the leave.
Staff travelling overseas?
It is recommended that prior to travelling overseas you refer to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade "Smart Traveller" web site (http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/) for current Swine Flu information relevant to the country you are travelling to.
What if my work requires me to travel overseas?
Although no borders have been closed as a result of the Swine influenza outbreak, some countries have in place compulsory quarantine measures for those exhibiting flu-like symptoms, or for travellers who have recently visited a country with confirmed cases of the virus. As such, regardless of their own state of health, travellers might be subject to compulsory quarantine measures if they have been travelling with or in close proximity to others suspected of having the virus. It is also possible that large numbers of passengers or entire flights might be subject to quarantine, or prevented from disembarking, if authorities suspect that passengers with H1N1 are on board. In some countries, health and quarantine officials have extensive powers to detain people suspected of having H1N1. A growing number of Australians have subsequently been temporarily quarantined overseas. Countries with compulsory quarantine measures in place have designated quarantine hotels/sites, however in some cases these have limited facilities and basic conditions.
For these reasons and until further notice from the University, non-essential CSU travel to China will not be approved or be permitted to proceed. Approval for essential travel to China will be determined on a case by case basis by the relevant Deputy Vice Chancellor. Approval for essential travel will depend on the reasons for the travel and following consideration of relevant travel advisory information available at that time. For further advice on travel approvals please contact Paul McLeod (Manager Travel, Division Finance) on (02) 6933 2273.
Where essential travel is approved and proceeds, the Australian Government has advised that it will provide consular assistance, as required, to travellers who are quarantined. The Australian Government can provide consular support to Australians in quarantine overseas but it cannot influence the length of time for which individual Australians may be quarantined or the selection of quarantine facilities.
If you require consular assistance overseas, contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.
Staff arriving in Australia from countries of concern
At present the countries of concern are Canada, Japan, Mexico, Panama and USA. If you arriving back to Australia from any of these countries and are exhibiting symptoms of influenza you should avoid public places and close contact with others, especially children. You should seek medical advice as soon as practicable. You should not attend University until you have been cleared of infection or have recovered. You should also notify the University of your situation.