NIDA Health and Safety – Face to Face learning

Health and Safety – Face to Face learning

Updated March 2022

NIDA Open is committed to supporting your health and safety and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in face-to-face classrooms. Please take note of these measures, designed to ensure the safety of all members of the NIDA community.

NIDA strongly encourages all members of the NIDA community to receive their COVID vaccination, including booster doses when available. However, we also recognise individual choice and will only ask students of short course programs for proof of vaccination when required by relevant state/territory public health orders or legislation. NIDA requires all staff conducting courses to be fully vaccinated and reserves the right to ask for proof of vaccination for extended courses, such as the NIDA Studio program.

We have:

  • Limited the presence of staff, students and visitors before, during and after class where possible, practical and safe to do so.
  • Trained and supported staff to ensure best hygiene and safety practice.
  • Transitioned to digital resources where possible, including course outlines and certificates to reduce physical touch points. Hard copies of class resources will be available where necessary or to support inclusion and access.

At NIDA Kensington Sydney and NIDA Southbank Melbourne we have:

  • Increased cleaning of all areas, in particular frequent use and high touch point areas.
  • Provided hand sanitiser and appropriate cleaning products in classrooms.

At all external venues where NIDA operates we have:

  • Liaised with the venue to ensure they comply with government guidelines around COVID-19 safety and are able to support NIDA best practice standards.
  • Provided hand sanitiser and appropriate cleaning products in classrooms.

Our teaching and management staff will:

  • Keep accurate attendance records to support contact tracing, if required.
  • Ensure all students are properly briefed on and maintain social distancing and hygiene expectations.
  • Actively manage the number of people present in classrooms and common areas at all times.
  • Take your concerns about breach of best practice and safety seriously.

We expect students to keep each other and the wider community safe by following the practices outlined below:

  • Please do not attend a class if you are feeling unwell and experiencing flu-like symptoms, however mild. If so, please get a COVID-19 test and remain at home until you receive your results. It is important that you notify NIDA if you test positive for COVID-19 after attending part or all of a course.
  • Take care on public transport and avoid using during peak times if possible. In the event that you use public transport, please ensure that you observe social distancing and wash your hands thoroughly ASAP after travelling.
  • Maintain good hygiene practices at all times – regular washing/sanitising of hands, cover coughs and sneezes and restrain from physical contact or handshakes. If you bring equipment to class, it should be sanitised before and after use.
  • Ensure physical distancing – maintain a distance of at least 1.5 metres between yourself and other people at all times.
  • Limit the people present at class start and finish. Please do not bring anyone with you to class unless you require assistance. We ask that only one carer accompanies children at drop off and pick up. Please leave the premises as soon as your child’s class commences and is in session.
  • Limit movement before and after class – do not linger in the building before or after class. Maintain social distancing during break times, especially when exiting and entering rooms and do not congregate at doorways or in corridors.

If you have a concern about NIDA’s COVID-19 safe practices, witness a breach of this code of conduct or need to report a case or close contact with a person infected with COVID-19, please contact NIDA Open on open@nida.edu.au or 1300 450 417.