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COVID‑19 information

General advice

  • Get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms
  • If positive, it is recommended you isolate for at least 5 days, even if you only have mild symptoms, starting at day 0
  • Upload your RAT result on your My COVID app
  • If the RAT is negative and you still have symptoms – stay home until well, if you have to go out wear a mask. Repeat RAT while you have symptoms
  • Let someone know that you are unwell – College staff or flatmate
  • Some people can still be infectious after 5 days. If you are still unwell after you have completed 5 days of recommended isolation, we recommend you stay home until you are recovered. If you do need to leave the house, we recommend you wear a mask

Household contacts

  • Household contacts do not need to isolate
  • If you are a household contact, it is recommended you test daily for 5 days (RAT) from the day the person with COVID tested positive
  • Wear a face mask if you leave home during the 5 days of testing
  • If you test positive for COVID, it is recommended you isolate for 5 days

Where to get tests

COVID‑19 vaccinations

COVID-19 vaccine XBB is now available and funded for:

  • Those over 30 years of age
  • 16–29 year-olds who are pregnant
  • 12–29 year-olds at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19

You can have the vaccine 6 months after your last vaccination, OR if you have never had a COVID-19 vaccination, OR 6 months after having COVID-19.

To make a booking, visit:

Book My Vaccine

More information is on the Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora website:

Updated COVID-19 vaccine available in March

Important phone numbers

  • COVID‑19 Healthline 0800 358 5453 (within New Zealand)
  • Healthline 0800 611 116 (within New Zealand)
  • Student Health 0800 479 821 (within New Zealand)
  • Dunedin Urgent Doctors +64 3 479 2900
  • Emergency Psychiatric Services 0800 467 846 Option 2 (within New Zealand)
  • You can also free call or free text 1737 to speak to a trained counsellor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
  • Emergencies dial 111

Masks

  • While the mask-wearing mandate in health care settings has been lifted, Student Health requests that if you have symptoms of a cold of flu, that you wear a mask while in the Student Health facility for the protection of others.
  • Masks remain free until 29 February 2024. You can get free face masks when you pick up free rapid antigen tests (RATs) from participating pharmacies and collection centres.

Sickness

  • The University strongly recommends that all staff and students who are unwell, particularly those who have cold or flu-like symptoms, stay away from campus until they are well.
  • The Government still recommends confirmed COVID-19 cases to self-isolate for five days

International students

New Zealand's borders are open. Visa applications to study in New Zealand are open.

The University of Otago warmly welcomes new and returning international students from across the globe.

Study options, applying and preparing for Otago

Information about international student study options, applying, preparing for Otago and contact details are found on our International Students webpages.

Travel information

Travel information is found on the New Zealand Government COVID-19 website.

Support for students

You should continue to contact AskOtago for advice and assistance if you need welfare support due to contracting COVID.

These services are available for you to access online:

Support services available in the community

New Zealand Government

The NZ Government's resource for all COVID‑19 information

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