Learning Returns Online as Auckland Experiences Second COVID-19 Lockdown

Teaching and learning returned online last week due to the change to Alert Level 3 in the Auckland Region.

In an email to staff, Vice-Chancellor Dawn Freshwater said that remote teaching will take place until at least Thursday the 27th of August.

The university also confirmed in an all-staff email on Friday that one of the positive cases of COVID-19 is a University of Auckland student. The university says they are confident that there is minimal risk of COVID-19 being exposed to other students and staff.

Kate Edger Information Commons will be open this week as a study space and computer lab for students who do not have these facilities at home. The library will also be offering a ‘click and collect’ service.

Students have initially reported mixed experiences of the rapid shift back into online learning. While some courses have been granted assignment extensions, other students have reported that assignments and assessments last week continued in an online form. Such decisions have been left to the discretion of course convenors and teaching staff.

University-related services are also affected by the Alert Level change. University Health and Counselling Services will continue to be operational, with many of their services moving online or over the phone. The Recreation Centre has had to close temporarily in order to comply with Level 3 regulations, and online workout classes will be delivered.

University accommodation facilities will remain open, and follow specific practices in order to ensure hygiene and social distancing protocols are followed.

Some classes at the university’s Te Tai Tokerau campus in Whangārei will still be held in-person.

As of 12pm Wednesday, Auckland entered Alert Level 3, meaning that Aucklanders should stay home and inside their bubbles wherever possible. Essential workers are able to continue to work, and businesses can open if they can ensure goods and services can be delivered with physical distancing in place. The government is recommending mask use in public areas. All New Zealanders are encouraged to download to COVID-19 Tracer app in order to assist the government’s efforts in contact tracing.

The lockdown will continue until 11:59pm on Wednesday the 26th of August, unless a government review on Friday the 21st of August results in a change in this decision.