Arcady Hall COVID-19 Information (updated January 2024)

Arcady Hall is following the current Ministry of Health guidelines regarding COVID-19, summarised below:

All COVID-19 Requirements removed

Effective from 15 August 2023, the 7 day mandatory isolation period, and the compulsory wearing of face masks for visitors in healthcare facilities has been removed.

If you have COVID-19

If you test positive for COVID-19, you should isolate for at least 5 days, even if you have only mild symptoms, starting with Day 0. You should report the (positive) result of your RAT test. You can do this online through My COVID Record, or by phone (call: 0800 222 478).

Arcady Hall COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

There are currently no COVID-19 vaccination requirements for residents, staff, or visitors to Arcady Hall. However, we continue to monitor the health and safety risks posed by COVID-19 to our residents and staff and reserve the right to amend this policy in the event of significantly increased risks and/or changes in government policies/COVID setting.
The COVID-19 vaccine is effective in reducing the spread of COVID-19 and the severity of symptoms and hospitalisation. The Hall therefore strongly recommends that residents and staff get vaccinated against COVID-19 as well as other potentially serious, infectious illnesses including meningitis, influenza, and measles.

Mask Wearing

Mask-wearing is voluntary. However, mask wearing remains an important way we can prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses. The government recommends people wear a face mask if they have symptoms of COVID-19 or other infectious illnesses, and when visiting health and disability care settings.

Arcady Residents who suspect they have COVID-19

Arcady residents who feel unwell and think they may have COVID-19 should contact a Residential Assistant (RA) or other staff member using the RA duty phone (027 247 4727) to obtain a RAT test, to arrange meal deliveries and welfare checks.
Residents who test positive for COVID-19 should self-isolate in their room for five days from the date they became symptomatic, or the day they tested positive (whichever is earlier) to minimise the risk of infecting other residents and staff.
Hall staff will take care of residents who are unwell and self-isolating. A staff member will visit you at least once daily in person, and deliver your meals.
If you go outside, we recommend that you wear a face mask and avoid close contact with other people.
Most otherwise healthy people experience only mild symptoms with the now dominant, omicron variant of Covid-19. However, if you begin to feel very unwell, we will seek medical advice from the UC Health Centre and, if necessary, arrange for you to be seen by a doctor and/or be admitted to hospital.
Most UC course lectures are accessible online, so you will be able to continue studying whilst isolating. You should email your course organiser(s) to notify them if you are unable to attend tutorials/lab sessions, or if you need an extension for a course assignment. If you have any concerns about your study commitments please contact the Principal for assitance..

If I need to self-isolate, can I go home, rather than stay in Hall?

Under current Ministry of Health Guidelines, students who test positive for Covid-19, may go home providing they are able to travel safely i.e. by private transport and can self-isolate at home.

Will the Hall refund my accommodation fees if I decide to go home to self-isolate?

If the Hall is open and operating normally, students who choose to go home to self-isolate will not be eligible for a fee refund for the period they are absent.

If you go home and are subsequently unable to return to Hall for a prolonged period during term time e.g. due to prolonged Covid-19 symptoms, you may apply in writing to the Principal for a fee refund. The Arcady Hall Board will consider requests all such requests on a case-by-case basis in accordance with existing policies regarding prolonged absence due to sickness or other personal circumstances.

Please direct any questions or comments regarding this policy to principal@arcadyhall.org.nz