A view into the Jamison Valley

Covid Policy

In order to reduce the risk of Covid-19 infection and protect the more vulnerable members of our community, a requirement for all writers is that they receive a negative result from a RAT on the day of their arrival at Varuna. Writers will need to present a photo of the test or the cartridge showing a negative result upon arriving at the house. Varuna has a well-stocked inventory of Rapid Antigen Tests and masks that staff can provide if needed.

These precautions recognise that Varuna is a ‘share house’ environment and that full social distancing is tricky to achieve with shared living and dining areas, a communal kitchen, and a convivial environment with your peers and Varuna staff.

Our Board understands that vaccination is a personal choice and have reviewed the need for writers in residence to be fully vaccinated. In alignment with the current public health advice, Varuna no longer requires that writers be vaccinated in order to attend a residency. However, we do encourage good habits around preventative measures, and your vigilant and constant care with these measures is essential for everyone to be safe and have peace of mind when at Varuna.

Outlined below are health-related procedures that we ask writers to observe while staying at Varuna. If you can see anything in these procedures that could be improved, we would really welcome your feedback.

BEFORE ARRIVAL AT THE HOUSE

We ask that you cancel your residency if:

  • You receive a positive result on the required RAT taken the morning you are due to arrive at Varuna.

  • You are experiencing any cold- or flu-like symptoms, related or not to Covid-19, including a temperature, sore throat, sneezing, coughing or a blocked or runny nose.

  • Any member of your household with whom you have had close contact has a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 7 days.

  • You are under instruction from a state health authority to comply with quarantine, stay-at-home rules or self-isolation rules.

Please note that if you cancel due to testing positive for Covid-19, our normal cancellation procedures apply. See https://www.varuna.com.au/residency-faq for details.

UPON ARRIVAL AT VARUNA

• Please show Varuna staff your Covid-19 negative test result.

DURING YOUR STAY AT VARUNA

Everyone’s judgement of risk will be different, and we respect this. However, as a minimum, we ask residents to:

MONITOR YOUR HEALTH

  • Use proper cough and sneeze etiquette. Cover your mouth and nose with your arm to reduce the spread of germs. If you use a tissue, dispose of the tissue after using it and wash your hands immediately.

  • Rigorously self-monitor your health. If you have a fever that exceeds 38 degrees, sore throat, develop a persistent cough, have difficulty breathing or feel obviously unwell, we ask that you notify staff immediately. A thermometer with disposal covers is available and can be found on top of the first-aid cabinet in the pantry area.

  • Wash your hands and wear a mask if you feel the need to

  • Wash your hands properly or use hand sanitiser when first entering communal areas such as kitchens or bathrooms, and do not touch any communal surfaces before doing so. We welcome writers to wear masks wherever they feel it necessary, especially in communal areas where there are lots of people.

  • Do not leave any bath towels in communal areas.

  • Kitchen and food hygiene

  • Place all washing up in the dishwasher. There will be a plastic tub that you can fill with hot soapy water for any dishes that cannot immediately be placed in the dishwasher (for example, if the dishwasher is currently running).

  • Please use utensils located in the kitchen drawers to help yourself to raw ingredients such as salad leaves, cheese slices, dried fruit, nuts, etc.

  • Wash your hands immediately before eating the evening meal.

  • Please wipe down kitchen surfaces every evening after dinner with disinfectant.

VENTILATION

Wherever possible and subject to the weather, ventilate communal spaces during the day by opening windows.

VISITORS

Please do not invite visitors to the house during your stay.

AFTER YOU LEAVE VARUNA

If you develop any cold- or flu-like symptoms or test positive for Covid-19 in the 7 days immediately following your stay at Varuna, we ask that you notify us as a matter of urgency.

OTHER HYGIENE PRACTICES

Varuna has also implemented additional hygiene practices, as detailed below.

GENERAL CLEANING PROCEDURES

  • All surfaces in kitchens and bathrooms are cleaned regularly with multi-surface cleaner and disinfectant.

  • Cleaning staff wash hands before and after all cleaning activities.

  • Bathrooms are equipped with soap and hand towels.

  • All surfaces in bedrooms are disinfected between residents.

BEDDING AND LAUNDRY

  • All linen is washed by a commercial laundry service, ensuring that water is at least 80 degrees Celsius and is dried in a dryer.

  • Linen is ironed at high temperatures.

  • Blankets are rotated between each resident so that there is a minimum of 7 days’ gap between use of such items.

WE ARE ALL LEARNING!

We are committed to asking for ongoing feedback from you all and responding swiftly to this feedback. If you can see anything in these procedures that could be improved, please let us know immediately.