COVID-19 UPDATE: 17 AUGUST 2021

Kia ora SAE students

This afternoon, a community case of COVID-19 was detected in Auckland. Given the potential that this case may be the more transmissible Delta strain, our government has taken the pre-emptive action of moving New Zealand immediately to Alert Level 4. Alert Level 4, a full lockdown, will take effect as of midnight tonight.

The SAE Auckland campus is now CLOSED and must not be accessed by any staff or students until further notice. This includes all offices, classrooms and studios. If you have any equipment currently booked out, please keep it with you until the campus re-opens.

Alert Level 4 aims to eliminate widespread outbreaks by having people stay at home and by closing all businesses except essential services. This means you must go home, and stay home. For Auckland, this snap lockdown will last for at least 1 week and will be reviewed again in 3 days. For further information, please visit the Government’s official COVID-19 website: https://covid19.govt.nz/. I also advise you to regularly visit the Locations of Interest, which are being updated regularly.

I’m very aware that lockdowns are disruptive and stressful. It is understandable if your anxiety levels are high. Let’s continue to be mindful, respectful and caring towards each other as we negotiate these challenging times. Reach out to your classmates, regularly check in with each other and contact us at any time. He waka eke noa – We are all in this together.

I will be back in touch over the next few days to discuss how your classes might be impacted next week. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact me or any SAE staff over Slack, email or phone should you have any questions.

Stay safe everyone.

Arohanui,

Suzette 

Dr Suzette Major

Campus Director, SAE AUCKLAND