U3A Maryborough Qld is committed to ensuring the health and safety of its volunteers, students, and visitors. As you are aware, U3A Maryborough Qld is communal and offers face to face services which makes it more susceptible to the spread of coronavirus. We also are an organisation offering learning to aged members of the community. If there is an active case of coronavirus at our premises, this has the effect of placing a significant amount of people in our community at risk. We consider this in light of the large face to face group sessions (consisting of seniors) that we offer in our programs.
What is the Policy? In line with the Queensland Government directives, U3A Maryborough Qld is required to keep its premises safe and minimise the risk of infection and transmission of coronavirus. U3A Maryborough Qld has decided that in the best interests of the community and the safety of those who attend that all those who are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination and wish to physically attend U3A Maryborough Qld classes must be fully vaccinated or have a medical exemption from vaccination.
Conditions of entry The following conditions of entry to physical attendance classes apply:
attendees comply with any COVID-19 Safe Plan; and
those who are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination are vaccinated; and
evidence of COVID-19 vaccination status is provided.
U3A Maryborough Qld will not refuse entry to individuals who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons (proof of medical exemption must be provided) but those who are exempted must advise tutors and coordinators beforehand, so that social distancing and hand cleansing rules can be organized for everyone’s safety.
What happens when I enter? Upon entering U3A Maryborough Qld classes each time, individuals are required to provide proof of vaccination or evidence of a medical exemption to receiving immunisation. There are two ways to show proof of your vaccination:
Your COVID-19 digital certificate which shows proof of only your COVID-19 vaccinations that you can add to a digital wallet.
Your immunisation history statement which lists your COVID-19 vaccinations and all other vaccinations.
For more information, please see https://www.covid19.qld.gov.au/check-in-qld/digital-vaccination-certificate. U3A Maryborough Qld will not keep a record of attendees COVID-19 vaccination status. The purpose of providing evidence of vaccination is merely to determine whether entry into the Centre should be allowed. If an attendee has a medical exemption from vaccination, then they must show evidence of that upon seeking entry, such as a medical certificate from their medical practitioner.
Feeling Unsure? We acknowledge that there may members in the community who may have other reasons for not being vaccinated. We will assess this on a case-by-case basis and try to offer the safest solution. As always, we strive to accommodate the needs of the community. This policy is not intended to discriminate or prevent anyone from accessing U3A Maryborough Qld’s services, rather it is focused on ensuring everyone’s health and safety. If you are unsure if being vaccinated is safe for you or are unsure which COVID-19 vaccine to get, please make an appointment to see your doctor to discuss. If you have any questions or concerns or require assistance regarding attending U3A Maryborough Qld and vaccinations, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Other Control Measures It is important to remember that even if you are vaccinated, there is a continuing risk that you may still get or spread coronavirus because the vaccines do not provide 100% protection. This means the additional risk mitigations continue to apply to all members and volunteers for the foreseeable future. These include:
continue to physically distance;
implement good hygiene;
use personal protective equipment such as masks or gloves or face shields as appropriate; and
do not attend if unwell.
Changes to this policy This policy may be amended or withdrawn by us at our discretion. We will continue to keep the situation in relation to vaccinations under review in our ongoing COVID-19 risk assessments and review this policy in accordance with any material changes.
Policy last review date: 02/12/2021 U3A Maryborough Inc. Our Address: Post: PO Box 1009, Maryborough. Qld. Phone: President, Class Coordinator and/or Tutor: (See website)