Information for Macquarie University staff
Please find information and resources below for Macquarie University staff. Please consult the latest update from the VC for more the most recent information on the University guidance in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Research
Date updated: | 28 June 2021 |
Updated for: | NSW Health Measures as at 26 June 2021. |
NSW Health Measures as of 26 June 2021.
All research activities described below conducted by Macquarie University staff or students across all four Faculties are subject to this update. This includes research both on campus and off campus, whether in facilities, laboratories, studios, clinics, partner organisations, shared or individual offices or in the field.
During the current lockdown of Greater Sydney, researchers who can continue their work at home are encouraged to do so. However, staff who provide essential research services, such as in on campus animal and wet lab facilities, or staff who cannot conduct their research at home can be approved to attend campus (or to continue fieldwork in Greater Sydney) by their Executive Dean. Approval processes will be managed via ADRs or Facility Managers according to principles in place since 2020. On and off campus human participant research as well as research meetings may continue online (rather than face to face). However, all new outbound research related travel is paused until further notice. Please see below for details of current approvals.
Questions can be directed to Associate Deans Research in relevant Faculties, Facility Managers, the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Performance) Amanda Barnier (amanda.barnier@mq.edu.au), or to MQ COVIDSafe (COVIDSafe@mq.edu.au).
Research Type | Definition | Faculties | Status 28 Jun Until Further Notice | Locations | Contact for Advice |
On Campus Research | |||||
Lab Based (Non Human) | Research in on campus, university scientific/technical laboratories or facilities that does not involve human participants | FMHHS, FSE, FoA | Some work continuing as an essential service with risk mitigation Essential research only as approved by ADR/Facility Managers with risk mitigation | FMHHS, FSE, FoA Facilities | ADRs/Facility Managers Note: masks are mandatory, observe 4m2, and exclude researchers from hotspot areas |
Studio Based (Non Human) | Research in on campus studio facilities that does not involve human participants | FoA | Essential research only as approved by ADR/Facility Managers with risk mitigation | 10HA | ADRs/Facility Managers Note: masks are mandatory, observe 4m2, and exclude researchers from hotspot areas |
Office Based | Research in on campus, shared spaces with resources or collections such as Research Centres, which cannot be conducted at home | FMHHS, FSE, FoA, MQBS | Essential research only as approved by ADR with risk mitigation | FMHHS, FSE, FoA, MQBS, Facilities | ADRs Note: masks are mandatory, observe 4m2, and exclude researchers from hotspot areas |
Animal Facilities | Research in Macquarie animal research facilities operated by Macquarie Animal Research Services (MARS) | MARS | Continuing as an essential service with risk mitigation | Central Animal Facility; Fauna Park; Zebrafish Facility; Aquatic Facility | Ronny Eidels/Facility Managers Note: masks are mandatory, observe 4m2, and exclude researchers from hotspot areas |
Human Participant | Research in on campus facilities involving face to face interactions with human participants | FMHHS, FoA, MQBS | Paused and rescheduled until further notice or moved online | FMHHS, FoA, MQBS | ADRs |
Clinical | Research in on campus clinical settings that involve standard-of-care interventions (and therefore must continue for the wellbeing of the participant) and clinical research studies that involve voluntary participation | FMHHS | Standard of care interventions continuing with risk mitigation; clinical research studies as per ADR | Managed by MQ Health | DVC (Health & Medicine) via Roger Chung |
Research Type | Definition | Faculties | Status 28 Jun Until Further Notice | Locations | Contact for Advice |
Off Campus Research | |||||
Fieldwork (Non Human) | Research that is off campus at university or non-university facilities or sites that do not involve human subjects | FoA, FSE | Fieldwork that has not commenced and involves planned travel from Sydney paused and rescheduled until further notice Existing approved fieldwork where the researcher already is in the field within Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour now subject to stay at home orders; seek approval from Executive Dean to continue Existing approved fieldwork where the researcher already is in the field outside Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour (including interstate) may continue unless advised otherwise; monitor for updates and follow restrictions | Off campus sites within NSW Off campus sites interstate | ADR/MQ Travel Advice (including researchers already in place following recent travel) Researchers in the field already within areas subject to the lockdown of Greater Sydney must seek approval from their Executive Dean to continue their research as essential work For interstate travel: researchers must continuously monitor local government advice, especially if recently arrived, re quarantines and restrictions according to date of arrival, date of cases in NSW and/or their previous locations. Contact MQ Travel Advice if necessary |
Fieldwork (Collections) | Research that is off campus at cultural or collecting institutions such as archives, museums, libraries or galleries that does not involve human subjects | FoA, MQBS | Fieldwork that has not commenced and involves planned travel from Sydney paused and rescheduled until further notice Existing approved fieldwork where the researcher already is in the field within Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour paused until further notice; seek advice from MQ Travel Existing approved fieldwork where the researcher already is in the field outside Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour (including interstate) may continue unless advised otherwise; monitor for updates and follow restrictions | Off campus sites within NSW Off campus sites interstate | ADR/MQ Travel Advice (including for researchers already in place following recent travel) Researchers in the field already within areas subject to the lockdown of Greater Sydney must seek approval from their Executive Dean to continue their research as essential work For interstate travel: researchers must continuously monitor local government advice, especially if recently arrived, re quarantines and restrictions according to date of arrival, date of cases in NSW and/or their previous locations. Contact MQ Travel Advice if necessary |
Human Participant (Organisations) | Research in off campus, university or non-university facilities or sites involving face to face interactions with human participants who are members of organisations with COVIDSafe Plans | FMHHS, FoA, MQBS | New human participant research involving planned travel from Sydney paused and rescheduled until further notice or moved online Existing approved human participant research within Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour paused and rescheduled until further notice or moved online Existing approved human participant research by researchers already in place outside Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour (including interstate) may continue unless advised otherwise; monitor for updates and follow restrictions | Off campus sites within NSW Off campus sites interstate | ADR/MQ Travel Advice (including for researchers already in place following recent travel) For interstate travel: researchers must continuously monitor local government advice, especially if recently arrived, re quarantines and restrictions according to date of arrival, date of cases in NSW and/or their previous locations. Contact MQ Travel Advice if necessary |
Human Participant (Private Individuals) | Research in off campus, university or non-university facilities or sites involving face to face interactions with human participants who are private individuals and not members of organisations with COVIDSafe Plans | FMHHS, FoA, MQBS | New human participant research involving planned travel from Sydney paused and rescheduled until further notice or moved online Existing approved human participant research within Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour paused and rescheduled until further notice or moved online Existing approved human participant research by researchers already in place outside Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour (including interstate) may continue unless advised otherwise; monitor for updates and follow restrictions | Off campus sites within NSW Off campus sites interstate | ADR/MQ Travel Advice (including for researchers already in place following recent travel) For interstate travel: researchers must continuously monitor local government advice, especially if recently arrived, re quarantines and restrictions according to date of arrival, date of cases in NSW and/or their previous locations. Contact MQ Travel Advice if necessary |
Clinical | Research in off campus clinical settings that involve standard-of-care interventions (and therefore must continue for the wellbeing of the participant) and clinical research studies that involve voluntary participation | FMHHS | Standard of care interventions continuing with risk mitigation; clinical research studies as per ADR | Managed by MQ Health | DVC (Health & Medicine) via Roger Chung |
Research Type | Definition | Faculties | Status 28 Jun Until Further Notice | Locations | Contact for Advice |
Other Cases | |||||
Research Meetings | Face to face research meetings on or off campus with teams, collaborators or research students, including talks, seminars, workshops, conferences and all other research-related meetings | FMHHS, FSE, FoA, MQBS | Paused and rescheduled until further notice or moved online | Across campus | ADRs |
At Risk Populations | Any of the above forms of research that involve, as researchers or participants, people aged over 70, residents or staff in aged care facilities, people with certain medical and chronic health conditions, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged over 50 and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in rural and remote areas. These groups are considered at higher risk and require approval following risk assessment | FMHHS, FSE, FoA, MQBS | New research with at risk populations involving planned travel from Sydney paused and rescheduled until further notice or moved online Existing approved research with at risk populations within Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour paused and rescheduled until further notice or moved online Existing approved research with at risk populations by researchers already in place outside Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour (including interstate) may continue unless advised otherwise; monitor for updates and follow restrictions | On campus Off campus | ADRs/DVCR For interstate travel: researchers must continuously monitor local government advice, especially if recently arrived, re quarantines and restrictions according to date of arrival, date of cases in NSW and/or their previous locations. Contact MQ Travel Advice if necessary |
HDR Student Offsite | Research by current or new HDR students in offsite, interstate or international locations for significant periods of time. Note insurance implications of overseas travel and research | FMHHS, FSE, FoA, MQBS | Approval remains on case-by-case basis depending on circumstances | Off campus | Pro Vice-Chancellor (Higher Degree Research Training and Partnerships) following ADHDR and ADR sign off in relevant Faculties |
Overseas Research | Any of the above forms of research conducted overseas by MQ staff or by others. Note insurance implications of overseas travel and research as well as outsourcing of risk | FMHHS, FSE, FoA, MQBS | Approval remains on case-by-case basis depending on circumstances | Off campus | Vice-Chancellor |
COVID-19 resources
The following resources can be used by staff to ensure a COVIDSafe workplace:
- COVID-19 Cleaning Factsheet
- COVID-19 Emergency Response Guide
- Kitchen cleaning poster
- Meeting room cleaning poster
- COVID-19 Mailroom and Photocopying poster
- COVID-19 Facemask guidance
- COVID-19 Factsheet - Precautions for face to face class attendance
- COVID-19 Vulnerable Worker Risk Assessment Tool
- COVID-19 Guidance for distinguishing between symptoms and allergies
- COVID-19 Teaching Space Checklist
- First aid officer guidance
- COVID-19 – COVID Lower risk sign
- COVIDSafe Protocols
Travel restrictions and self-isolation
The Australian Government have banned all travel overseas. This is the highest advice level (level 4 of 4). Regardless of your destination, age or health, the Government advice is do not travel at this time.
If you are overseas and cannot, or do not want to, return to Australia, follow the advice of local authorities. Take care to minimise your risk of exposure to coronavirus including by self-isolating. If you choose to stay, note that the government have advised that their ability to provide consular assistance in some places may be limited due to restrictions on movement and other services.
On your return to Australia, you will now be required to self-isolate for 14 days. This applies to all travellers, including Australian citizens.
University measures
Inbound travel
The Government has announced that anybody returning from overseas travel to Australia must self-isolate for 14 days. In light of this, we have now decided that all delegations of international visitors to the University are cancelled or postponed.
Outbound travel
International Travel is currently not permitted. All requests for any exemptions must be sent to COVIDSafe@mq.edu.au for approval by the Vice-Chancellor.
Intrastate travel (within NSW) on university business remains is permitted. Requests to travel within NSW must be submitted to your Executive Group member for approval.
Interstate travel on university business may be permitted, depending on the destination and the local Government restrictions. Requests to travel interstate must be submitted to your Executive Group member for approval. However, all staff are encouraged to undertake interstate travel only where necessary and to continue using video conferencing where practical.
Students with existing travel plans for research, PACE, exchange and other international programs must contact the relevant team to discuss financial and insurance implications.
- Higher Degree Research – email HDRcurrent@mq.edu.au or phone +61 2 9850 4741
- Macquarie International (for exchange) – email mi.exchange@mq.edu.au or call either +61 2 9850 6935 or + 61 2 9850 7334
- PACE – email pace@mq.edu.au
- Global Leadership Program – email glp@mq.edu.au or phone + 61 2 9850 6761
Personal travel recommendations
If you are travelling internationally for essential personal travel, you should incorporate the mandatory isolation period upon return to Australia into your annual leave planning or ensure you are able to work from home during the isolation period.
Events
All events while the current State restrictions are in place are paused or are being moved online.
Working from home and casual work
Arrangements for Staff
Under the Public Health Order (PHO), all residents of Greater Sydney including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour local government areas must stay at home from 6pm on Saturday 26 June 2021 until midnight on Friday 9 July 2021. There are 16 ‘reasonable excuses’ for people to leave their home, included work related reasons. Having interpreted these, the University’s COVID-19 Taskforce has considered three legitimate reasons for staff to work on campus during the stay at home period:
- Essential Services on Campus: Staff who are performing essential services, whom the University requires to continue attending campus. Examples include Security, Childcare and staff working in health related services. If staff in this category would like a letter confirming that they are an essential service worker, please reach out to your Executive Group member.
- Staff who request to work on campus and where it is not possible to work from home: The Public Health Order provides that it is a reasonable excuse to leave home “For the purposes of work if the person cannot work from the person’s place of residence”. We are allowing staff to request permission to attend work under this clause, subject to your Executive Group member approval. Please note that the threshold is high to meet this exception. The individual must demonstrate that “it is not possible” and that “they cannot work from their place of residence”. An example of a circumstance where approval might be granted is where staff are doing laboratory experiments and where stopping this research for the period of the stay at home order would be a significant setback in the research.
- Extenuating personal circumstances/safety: The Public Health Order provides that it is a reasonable excuse to leave the home “avoiding illness or injury or to escape harm”. Where staff have extenuating personal circumstances such as issues or concerns regarding safety in working from home, which could fall into this category, they can request permission to work on campus with Executive Group member approval.
Casuals
Arrangements for casual workers are:
- Some casual working in essential services will continue to attend campus and perform their rostered shifts as normal.
- Casual staff who can continue to perform meaningful work from home under their existing rostered shift arrangements can continue to do so.
For casual staff who cannot perform meaningful work from home or where there is no work to do because of the lockdown, the University will honour and pay rostered shifts for this week (commencing 28 June) and next week (commencing 5 July). The Government has announced “Disaster Relief” payments for casual staff from 1 July 2021, which would provide some further support to casuals if the lockdown were to proceed beyond the current end date of 9 July 2021.