Latest travel alert (as of December 3)

03 December 2003

John Ingleson
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International and Education)

The University is regularly reviewing its policy on staff and student travel in light of the current international tensions and the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The following policy is current as of today (December 3) and will remain in place until further notice.

Please note the following important changes to previous travel advice:

TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

All official University travel to Indonesia, the Middle East (including Israel) and Turkey must be approved by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International and Education).

Staff and student are prohibited from undertaking any official University travel (including transit or stopover) to countries for which there is a DFAT warning to 'defer all travel', 'evacuate' or equivalent. If you are already in a country with such an alert, you are required to follow DFAT advice and may be instructed to return to Australia immediately.

Staff and students planning to undertake official University travel to countries for which there is a DFAT warning is to 'defer all non-essential travel', are required to seek approval from the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International and Education). In applying for such approval, you must provide documentation to support the decision that the travel is essential and advise of any safety or security precautions.

TRAVEL ADVICE

Staff and students are strongly advised to take all due care in travel.

Staff and students should:
1. ensure there is an accurate record of their travel plans including itinerary and contact details with the Head of their unit;
2. check the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website for travel warnings before commencing travel;
3. maintain contact with the relevant Australian Embassy/Consulate.

TRAVEL, HEALTH and SAFETY

In view of the recent international tensions and outbreak of SARS, the University recommends that all staff and students remain vigilant of safety and health warnings related to all travel.

The following websites provide useful information on these issues:

World Health Organisation

Department of Foreign Affairs

Commonwealth Health Department

Commonwealth Health Information Hotline: 1800 004 599