Keep healthy: COVID-19 (coronavirus)

ICMS is monitoring the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic outbreak on a daily basis. Please read this carefully and take appropriate action as advised.

We still have no cases of COVID 19 in our ICMS community thus far.

Safe and steady: the ICMS plan to reactivate campus

We have looked at the government guidelines as they pertain to how ICMS operates for staff, students and visitors, and have put together a Covid-Safe plan that takes into account guidelines around gatherings of people, how we get to work or college, and how we operate on campus.

The following plan is aimed at keeping us all safe as we reactivate campus.

The plan: Aspire English, Aspire Institute, ISCA and ICMS

ICMS has opted for a staggered approach to bring students back on campus, with four classes poised to return to face to face mode at the start of the trimester beginning on 14th September. Student numbers are limited for now, and online learning will continue as it has since campus was closed earlier this year.

As we look forward to welcoming students back onto campus following our extended break from on-campus activity it’s important to note the reactivation principles for a safe campus – explained in more detail below.

Subject to Government regulations and developments with Covid-19, we’re planning for the following:

• All timetabled subjects will still continue to be offered online in 2020. 
• February 2021 and beyond, we envisage a combination of online and face to face delivery. These will be announced in the coming months.
• Please keep up to date with any changes and specific details on this ICMS COVID-19 webpage.

Reactivation principles

University environments have changed for the health and safety of all students, staff, guests, and visitors. In light of this, ICMS has made changes to its delivery of education, provision of accommodation, delivery of food and beverages, the operation of on-site cafés and bars and the availability and external use of its extensive venues.

By reviewing these items with the goal to reduce as many touchpoints and risks of transmission of COVID-19 as possible, the following set of best practice guidelines have been developed by ICMS to provide existing and prospective students, staff, and the public a clear guide to ensure ICMS can adapt and comply with NSW health advice regarding COVID-19.  

While some of these measures may be required for a shorter period than others, all measures undertaken by ICMS regarding campus facilities and human practices will be deployed so ICMS can continue operating without a confirmed case of COVID-19 and can endure any future pandemic beyond the current crisis.  

For example, all food offerings will be in the form of takeaway and/or delivery rather than buffet or ‘serve yourself’ selections.

A safe campus

ICMS is committed to providing a Covid-Safe campus, and we must all work together to minimise the risk of transmission.

Please support us in our commitment to providing a safe place to work and study by undertaking the following steps:

• Have the CovidSafe app downloaded prior to entering campus
• Strictly follow social distancing – 1.5m apart, including work stations (no hot desking)
• Clean and wipe down your own desk and space
• Fitness boot camps up to only 10 people
• Agree to have their temperature taken as and when requested by ICMS
• Agree to take a coronavirus test if requested
• No queueing anywhere on campus
• If you have suspect you have any COVID-19 symptoms get tested at a testing clinic i.e. sore throat, runny nose, cough, and fever. 
• No unnecessary meetings face-to-face

Also:

• Delivery drivers, suppliers and contractors must complete a compliance questionnaire and display proof and cleaning protocols on vehicles etc.
• Modifications to F&B – all take away, no communal products (sauces etc.), no self-service, controlled seating, and all dining tables sanitised after every dining period
• Face-to-Face teaching, when commenced, must include:  hand sanitiser station at entry to every room; all tables and door handles sanitised after every class; social/physical distancing enforced in class rooms
• A full list of the guidelines and further information is available on this page.

More information and support

ICMS provides these guidelines to help set a roadmap allowing staff and students to return to campus and to provide staff, students and visitors with an environment where health and safety are at the forefront whilst it navigates through the current Covid-19 crisis and beyond. These best practice guidelines, coupled with sensible changes alongside current government restrictions, will provide a greater degree of certainty as to what is expected in a post COVID-19 world. 

Communication is key and while these are broad and overarching principles that apply to us all, where you are directly affected you will be contacted via email. If you have any questions, please contact us at:

• 61 (2) 9977 0333
• [email protected]

We appreciate that this is a challenging and unusual period in history, but are confident that if we all work together, ICMS, Aspire and ISCA will continue to thrive as a community going forward.

On campus students please read Specific Information for Residential Students. 

Travel advice

For up-to-date information and advice for safe travel overseas and whether you should or shouldn’t cancel your trip, check the most recent updates on:

Smart Traveller

Department of Health

Please follow home isolation guidance.

Symptoms of covid-19

• Fever
• Difficulty breathing
• Cough or sore throat
• Cold-like symptoms
• Loss of sense of smell or taste
• Diarrhea
• nausea or vomitting
• Loss of appetite
• New rashes, lesions or ulcers

If you start to feel unwell

If you feel unwell at all – do not come to campus. If you do suspect you have any symptoms of the virus please follow the recommendations below:

• Call your local GP doctor and ask for advise and/or a referral for a COVID-19 test.
• Do not come to campus until all symptoms have subsided and/or the doctor has cleared you of COVID-19 infection with a doctor certificate.
• If you become unwell while on campus, please present yourself to the Manager on Duty or reception for advice.
• Continue to keep isolated from other people as much as possible (e.g. in a different room).
• Overseas students can also call the Medibank OSHC Health and Support Line on 1800 887 283. Medibank have updated all nursing staff who take calls.
• Call your local public health unit on 1300 066 055. The public health unit will assess and advise on what to do next.
• Do not travel on public transport, taxis or ride-shares​ and do not attend any public places.

For the latest updates on COVID-19 in Australia, visit the Department of Health website. 

If you have any questions related to the ICMS response to COVID-19 please contact [email protected].

How to self-isolate

We ask that you follow the appropriate measures to ensure you stay away from other people during your isolation. This means you can’t go to the beach or go shopping! Learn more about how to isolate here.

Remember….Good hygiene precautions

We ask students, staff and visitors to take precautions as advised by the public health experts including:

• Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue – throw tissue away immediately and wash hands
• Avoid close contact with anyone who has fever and cough
• If you have any symptoms, seek medical care early and share previous travel history with your health care provider
• Please observe and comply with health-related signage around the campus

For more information about simple personal hygiene practices to reduce exposure to illness visit: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

Further resources

The descriptions and contact details of many organisations which provide mental health services are listed on the Mental health australia website. 

Other resources, for students and the sector, include: 

• COVID-19: Information for universities, higher education and vocational education facilities, their students and staff
• COVID-19: Information for VET, ELICOS and higher education providers
• COVID-19 resources in Simplified Chinese
• Novel coronavirus FAQs for international students
• Smartraveller.gov.au for the latest travel advice

Contact us

Current students, alumni, accommodation, functions, visitors and community enquiries

Phone: 1800 657 572
Phone: + 61 (2) 9977 0333
Email: [email protected]

Online hotline

Phone: + 61 (2) 4058 4306

Future student enquiries

Phone: 1800 110 490
Phone: +61 (2) 9466 1240
Australia & New Zealand: [email protected]
International: [email protected]