Canberra Grammar travel ban in face of virus threat, ANU student cleared

As schools in Melbourne and Sydney have shutdown over confirmed COVID-19 infections, Canberra Grammar's head of school Justin Garrick has notified students, staff and parents of measures to prevent and inhibit the virus's spread.

"At this stage, and with great regret, we have taken the decision to cancel all School activities involving international travel in Semester [One]," Mr Garrick said.

"Reluctantly, and following NSW and other Government advice, we must also suspend all community service activities in aged care and childcare facilities until further notice."

The travel ban is expected to force the cancellation of a forthcoming tour of New Zealand by the Grammar rugby team.

The school's move came as Australian National University confirmed that one of its students was cleared of COVID-19 infection after being taken to hospital on Sunday.

A video posted on social media showed an ambulance parked outside ANU's UniLodge with two paramedics wearing face masks and protective clothing in attendance.

A university spokesman said the international student had been in self-isolation since returning from overseas when they started to show symptoms.

The university organised for the student to be taken to a nearby hospital for tests, which came back negative.

The spokesman said the ANU had been "diligent" in screening students returning from abroad and monitoring the health of those staying in student accommodation.

"We have had a comprehensive process in place since 1 February which means that everyone checking in to ANU accommodation is being checked against the criteria for self-isolation or testing," the spokesman said.

He said a "handful" of students had been tested for the virus after showing symptoms, but all had been cleared.

Meanwhile, students and staff at Canberra Grammar have been urged to refrain from personal contact such as handshakes and hugging and Mr Garrick has asked families to avoid "unnecessary" international travel.

"As we look toward the next school holidays, we respectfully ask all students, families and staff to consider their international travel plans, including to currently non-restricted countries.

"In fact, we respectfully ask all students and staff to avoid all unnecessary international travel to minimise the chance of exposure and exclusion."

Mr Garrick said the school would respond "calmly and thoughtfully" to the virus outbreak, which he warned was likely to continue to spread.

"We hope that not all measures will be necessary, but we feel it is important to be prepared," Mr Garrick said.

Though Canberra is yet to have a confirmed COVID-19 case, the school has drawn up plans for possible partial or full closure, including providing instruction and course material online and sending boarders home.

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Decisions are yet to be made on whether large scale school events such as concerts, carnivals, open days and the CGS Fete will go ahead as planned.

Mr Garrick also warned that the virus could amplify the effects of the influenza season to cause an abnormally large number of teacher absences which would have implications for teaching arrangements.

"Depending on how the virus spreads, we may be tested in the weeks ahead and we may be required to push our systems and resources beyond that for which they are normally intended," he said.