COVID-19 UPDATE: 2 December 2021

Kia ora SAE whānau

This Friday 3 December, New Zealand moves to the new COVID Protection Framework, commonly known as the Traffic Light System. 

The Traffic Light System helps protect New Zealanders from COVID-19 and minimise the spread of the virus through vaccinations, capacity limits, record keeping, and public health measures.

At a glance, the RED traffic light will be used if there’s a need to protect both at-risk people and our health system from an unsustainable number of hospitalisations. Under ORANGE, there’s increasing community transmission of COVID-19 and some health measures are needed. Under GREEN, there are a limited number of COVID-19 cases in the community and most restrictions are lifted.

SAE Auckland can continue to operate under all 3 traffic light settings. 

Attached is our SAE Auckland COVID Safety Plan that will take effect from this Friday. I highly recommend you read this thoroughly and become familiar with how we will operate under RED, ORANGE and GREEN.

As announced on Monday, as we move to the new framework, Auckland will be placed into the RED traffic light.

The specific Safety Protocols for the RED setting are therefore also attached. In short, they state:

  • Fully vaccinated staff, students and visitors, or those with an official vaccination exemption, can be on campus and must scan in using the My Vaccine Pass upon arrival (yes, visitors are allowed)
  • Non-vaccinated staff and students must work and learn from home
  • Upon arrival, staff, students and visitors must scan the COVID QR code to meet our contract tracing obligations
  • From now until we close for the Christmas break, please continue to contact Alex Ferrier on a.ferrier@sae.edu to book a studio. Do not simply turn up to campus without prior clearance
  • 18 Heather St will be open from 9-5pm Monday to Sunday
  • 10 and 12 Heather St will remain closed until the end of the year
  • Face coverings are mandatory at all times
  • 1 metre physical distancing is required at all times
  • Equipment can be booked and taken off campus. Please contact Alex Ferrier on a.ferrier@sae.edu to book equipment
  • Cleaning equipment will be provided to wipe down surfaces and equipment before and after use
  • If you are feeling unwell, do not come to campus. Please seek medical advice including a COVID-19 test if required
  • If any staff, students or visitors test positive to COVID-19, please contact Suzette immediately on 027 669-3119 or email s.major@sae.edu

It is encouraging to be moving to this new COVID Protection Framework, particularly given that SAE will be able to continue to operate at all 3 traffic light settings. The key to maintaining access is to be vaccinated. If you have not as yet been vaccinated, I encourage you to do so.

I do hope you make the most of these next 2 weeks and enjoy spending some time in our studios, following the protocols attached. It’s a great way to put into practice much of what you’ve learnt throughout the year.

Enjoy. And stay safe.

 

Ngā mihi nui,

Suzette 

Dr Suzette Major

Campus Director, SAE AUCKLAND