Travel restrictions to China due to Coronavirus

29 January 2020

Distributed Wednesday, 29 January 2020 to: University Senior Management Group, Heads of School, Faculty Executive Managers, Deputy Directors (Institutes), School Managers, Directors of Central Services, Executive Officers.

As of 28 January 2020 the Australian Government has raised their travel advice to do not travel for all of the Hubei Province in China and reconsider your need to travel to China overall due to the spread of the 2019-novel coronavirus.

The Australian Government has advised that Chinese authorities have restricted travel for parts of the country and may extend these restrictions at short notice. Travellers may be quarantined, due to their health condition or previous locations visited. Under these circumstances, the University’s ability to meet its duty of care obligations is limited.

Please be advised due to the advice above, effective immediately the University has suspended all approved travel to the Hubei Province and all other travel to mainland China be deferred until further notice.

The University will continue to monitor the situation and reassess its position on travel to China.

UQ Travel Insurance

The University’s travel insurer has informed UQ that any flight disruptions, cancellations, lost deposits and/or evacuation for travel to Wuhan City in the Hubei Province is no longer considered an unforeseen circumstance.

Therefore, the UQ travel insurance policy will not respond to claims relating to the spread of novel coronavirus for travel to Wuhan City booked after 5pm (AEST), 22 January 2020. 

For more information regarding UQ’s travel insurance, please contact UQ Insurance Services.

International travel overall

All UQ travellers must register their travel with International SOS and provide their correct contact details while travelling (email and mobile phone contact).

Due to the increased spread of the novel coronavirus all international travellers should review the Australian Government’s Smart Traveller website for country specific information prior to travel and comply with any additional entry requirements. Travellers should also allow for travel disruptions/delays at airports worldwide due to additional screening measures.

Travellers should remain informed while travelling and monitor International SOS updates, the Smart Traveller website and relevant airline websites.

Contacts and further information

UQ travellers planning to travel to or from China can contact Campus Travel for assistance with changing travel plans if required.

Refer to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for more information:

DFAT Smart Traveller – China.

International SOS has developed a 2019-novel coronavirus website which can be referred to for the latest information including FAQs.

Travel emergency 24/7 contact

International SOS (ISOS) Assistance is the University’s 24/7 travel assistance contact.

Phone +61 2 9372 2468 (reverse charge available). If you do not have telephone access, email sydney@internationalsos.com.

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