Queensland Government regulation regarding COVID-19 vaccinations
Effective from Friday 17 December 2021, Queensland Government regulations require non-essential services and businesses to only allow people who have been double-vaccinated against COVID 19 on their premises. This means U3A Redcliffe has to impose a checking system from this date. If you do not provide proof of double vaccination, you will not be able to enter the campus and attend classes, or work as a volunteer in any capacity.
Starting term 1, 2022 we will have volunteers at our entry door checking the vaccination status of any member turning up for classes or for volunteer duties.
We are very mindful of the need to continue to provide a safe environment for our members, and your health and safety is our priority. However, we must comply with Queensland Government regulations. Polling conducted at the recent general meeting of members also indicates our members overwhelmingly support the need for us to comply with these requirements.
How you can produce evidence you have been double vaccinated
As an operator of a non-essential business, U3A Redcliffe is required to enforce the following Queensland Government restrictions:
- All U3A Redcliffe members or any visitors to our campus must give their contact information, proof of COVID-19 vaccination or evidence of medical contraindication by using the Check In Qld app or another measure of record keeping before entering our campus.
- If you have not downloaded your vaccination certificate onto the Check In Qld app, you must produce your written certificate of vaccination.
- If you have a medical certificate from a medical practitioner that states you are medically exempt from the vaccination this must be produced for our office members to inspect.
This means:
- we will ask for evidence of vaccination from our members at the time of check-in or entry to our campus, and
- if a member cannot or refuses to provide evidence, we have no option but to refuse entry to the campus and ask the person to leave the premises.
It is vitally important that we continue to provide a safe environment and comply with Queensland Government regulations, so we seek your co-operation to achieve these goals.
If we do not follow the regulations we cannot continue to operate our campus and provide classes for you.
The following information is copied from the Queensland Government website for your information:
Restrictions for unvaccinated people
From 17 December 2021, unvaccinated people will be unable to:
- visit vulnerable settings, including hospitals, residential aged care, disability accommodation services, and prisons.
This does not apply to residents and patients of these facilities, and there will be some exceptions for medical treatment, end-of-life visits, childbirth and emergency situations.
- attend hospitality venues such as hotels, pubs, clubs, taverns, bars, restaurants or cafes
- attend indoor entertainment venues such as nightclubs, live music venues, karaoke bars, concerts, theatres or cinemas
- attend outdoor entertainment activities such as sporting stadiums, theme parks or tourism experience like reef excursions
- attend festivals – either indoor or outdoor – such as musical festivals, folk festivals or arts festivals
- attend Queensland Government owned galleries, museums or libraries.
These restrictions target non-essential leisure activities which are not essential for people to meet their basic needs, but present a considerable risk to contributing to an outbreak in our community when our borders reopen.
Fully vaccinated
Fully vaccinated means a person has had the required two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine by 16 December 2021. It does not include a booster shot or a two-week wait after the second dose.
Proof of vaccination
Proof of vaccination verifies that a person is fully vaccinated. You must show either a printed or electronic form before entering a business establishment or venue.
There are 3 different types of proof available that you can get for free:
- a COVID-19 digital certificate
- your immunisation history statement (IHS)
- an International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate for overseas travel.
The COVID-19 vaccination certificate can be viewed or printed through:
- Medicare Online via MyGov
- Express Plus Medicare mobile app
If you would like to read the full information on the Queensland Government website, then click here.
U3A Redcliffe practices
The Check In Qld app QR code is also displayed on the front door and in the foyer for your use when entering campus.
Hand sanitizer is available at the entrance and throughout our campus for members to use.
Members are reminded that a current financial membership badge must be worn at all times when attending U3A Redcliffe campus and off-site classes.
Registration and payment for classes will continue to occur at the entrance foyer and/or at the office window.
At the end of each class, you are required to use the cleaning materials provided to clean desks, chairs and other appropriate surfaces. Cleaning of surfaces also applies in the Chamber of Diversity (our kitchen / communal area).
Coffee, tea and sugar will continue to be provided in individual sachets. When finished with your cup, please rinse and place it in the dishwasher. Do not wash any crockery or cutlery by hand or return to the drawers. We use the dishwashers for washing crockery and utensils to ensure proper sanitization.