COVID-19 (coronavirus) update - information for UQ travellers
A statement was released by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (External Engagement) on Wednesday, 29 January 2020 advising of the University’s travel restrictions to China.
As of 2 February 2020, the Australian Government has raised their travel advice for China overall to do not travel, due to the spread of the 2019-novel coronavirus.
Due to the advice above, the University has suspended all UQ approved travel to mainland China, for official University business purposes. Imminent University travel to mainland China must be cancelled or deferred until further notice.
The University will continue to monitor the situation and reassess its position on travel to China.
Further information
Refer to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for more information:
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.
Quote UQ membership number 12AYCA778031.
FAQs
If you’ve already booked UQ approved travel to Hubei Province
Please contact UQ Insurance Services to discuss making an insurance claim.
If you’ve already booked UQ approved travel to or from mainland China.
Should I change my UQ travel arrangements now?
Imminent University travel departures to or from mainland China must be cancelled or deferred.
For future departures, it will depend on when you are due to travel. UQ recommends travellers explore their options now for changing or cancelling. Travellers should be aware of cost implications and time restrictions (e.g. cancellation window).
The timing of when you change your travel arrangements may affect insurance cover for the costs associated with those changes. See Travel Insurance FAQ.
How do I change my travel arrangements?
- If travel was booked via Campus Travel, contact Campus Travel.
- If travel was booked with travel suppliers other than Campus Travel (airlines, accommodation providers etc.) contact the supplier directly.
Travel Insurance – costs of changes/cancellations for UQ travel to mainland China
Travellers must keep full records of all costs relating to changes or cancellations.
Imminent travel departures should be cancelled or deferred now and a claim made via UQ Insurance Services. Please refer to the Insurance Services website for information about how to make a travel insurance claim.
Please email UQ Insurance Services (or call on (07) 3365 3075) before changing other travel arrangements, or if you have questions about travel insurance including making a claim.
For future UQ travel to or from China booked prior to 5pm (AEST), 22 January 2020, cover for cancellation will depend on the date of travel and the date on which you change your travel arrangements.
The UQ travel insurance policy will not respond to claims relating to or resulting from coronavirus for the following travel as this is no longer an unforseen event/circumstance:
· Travel to / from Hubei province booked after 5pm (AEST), 22 January 2020
· Travel to / from mainland China booked after 9am (AEST), 2 February 2020
If you’re planning to travel to mainland China but haven’t booked
The Australian Government has rated China overall as Do Not Travel (DFAT Level 4). Travel to mainland China will not be approved for the purpose of UQ business until further notice.
For more information contact UQ Travel.
I’m travelling internationally but not to China. What should I do?
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 COVID-19 (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.
More information about COVID-19 (coronavirus) and specific information for travellers can be found on the ISOS Portal.
If you’ve booked UQ approved travel to or from Hong Kong (including transits)
The University advised of travel restrictions to and from Hong Kong in August 2019 due to widespread protests and civil unrest. The restriction to defer all non-essential travel to Hong Kong is still in place and is not related to COVID-19 (coronavirus)
At this time, the UQ travel insurance policy may not respond to claims relating to travel changes or cancellation due to the spread of novel coronavirus for travel to/from Hong Kong or any other location outside mainland China. Whether a claim is accepted will depend on the specific circumstances of the travel.
Please email UQ Insurance Services (or call on +61 7 3365 3075) before changing your travel arrangements.
Travellers must review the Australian government Hong Kong travel advice prior to travel and comply with any additional entry requirements. Travellers should also allow for travel disruptions/delays at airports due to additional screening measures.
If you’re planning travel to Hong Kong (including transits)
The University advised of travel restrictions to and from Hong Kong in August 2019 due to widespread protests and civil unrest. The restriction to defer all non-essential travel to and from Hong Kong is still in place and is not related to COVID-19 (coronavirus)
The travel advice from the Australian Government for Hong Kong is exercise a high degree of caution (Level 2).
If you’ve booked UQ approved travel to or from Macau
Macau is excluded from the University’s current travel restrictions to mainland China.
The University advised of travel restrictions to and from Hong Kong in August 2019 due to widespread protests and civil unrest. The restriction to defer all non-essential travel to and from Hong Kong is still in place and is not related to COVID-19 (coronavirus)
At this time, the UQ travel insurance policy may not respond to claims relating to travel changes or cancellation due to the spread of novel coronavirus for travel to/from Macau or any other location outside mainland China. Whether a claim is accepted will depend on the specific circumstances of the travel. Please email UQ Insurance Services (or call on +61 7 3365 3075) before changing your travel arrangements.
Travellers must review the Australian government Macau travel advice prior to travel and comply with any additional entry requirements. Travellers should also allow for travel disruptions/delays at airports due to additional screening measures.
If you’re planning travel to Macau
The travel advice from the Australian Government for Macau is exercise normal safety precautions (Level 1).
The University advised of travel restrictions to and from Hong Kong in August 2019 due to widespread protests and civil unrest. The restriction to defer all non-essential travel to and from Hong Kong is still in place and is not related to COVID-19 (coronavirus)