With the exception of a small group of identified staff continuing lab-based work on COVID-19, and those maintaining financial payments, payroll and security, the Australian National University (ANU) will move to remote work and study from tomorrow.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Brian Schmidt announced today, that from Thursday 26 March, except for some very limited and select cases, all staff will work away from campus.
From Monday 30 March, all teaching will be remote and, except for limited and essential cases, the campus will be closed.
A small group of identified staff will continue lab-based work on COVID-19, and maintain financial payments, payroll and security. Strict social distancing and hygiene protocols will be in place for these staff.
All University buildings will be locked and 24/7 access removed.
Staff will continue to be paid as per usual arrangements.
The University’s residences, which are home to many ANU students will stay open, under strict social-distancing, health and hygiene regimes.
Until the Government deems it non-essential, childcare centres will remain open.
Professor Schmidt said: “Today I have announced that from 26 March, all ANU staff are to work remotely. From 30 March, our campus will close, excluding some very limited and essential exceptions.
“ANU will still operate as the nation’s university, but likely not from our campus until at least 27 June.
“ANU medical experts are clear: to control the spread of COVID-19 we must take tough action to reduce the number of interactions on our campus, and take it now. And that is what we are doing.
“We are living in extraordinary times and this means we need to respond in an extraordinary way. Our job now is to keep our great University operational, and our community safe.”
