September 1 UPDATE: Information regarding COVID-19
As we approach the fall term, we would like to provide everyone with the current health and safety information when on campus. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation thus far in following protocols and keeping St. Mary’s a safe place to work and learn.
MASKS
Masks are required in all indoor spaces of campus including building lobbies, hallways, elevators, washrooms and when entering meeting rooms. Wearing a homemade or non-medical mask in public is another tool to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
If you are in your own personal office, you are not required to wear a mask. If you are in a meeting room where 2m distancing is possible, you do not need to wear a mask.
For students, masks are NOT required if you are sitting in a classroom within an acrylic barrier. Some desks do not have acrylic barriers – in these desks you MUST wear a mask. Anytime you leave your desk, you must also put on a mask.
Please see below for proper mask use protocols:
| What to do | What not to do |
|---|---|
| Wash or sanitize your hands before putting your mask on, before taking it off, and after taking it off. | Don’t touch your face under the mask |
| Inspect the mask, holding it by the ties of loops. Discard if damaged or dirty | Don’t touch the front of the mask – remove or adjust using the ties or ear loops |
| Tighten with ties or ear loops o reduce gaps | Don’t wear it under your nose or your chin |
| Keep nose, mouth, and chin covered at all times | Don’t wear a wet, torn or dirty mask |
| Remove if wet, torn or dirty and dispose in a lined garbage bin | Don’t wear the same mask for a long period of time – change when it becomes damp |
| Store cloth mask in a sealed bag until it can be washed in hot, soapy water | Don’t share with another person |
SELF-ASSESSMENTS
It is everyone’s responsibility to self-assess daily for COVID-19 symptoms prior to coming on campus.
DO NOT COME ONTO CAMPUS IF YOU HAVE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS AS THIS IS A LEGAL REQUIREMENT FOR ALL ALBERTANS AS OF MARCH 25, 2020. (Please see the following link for further details. https://www.alberta.ca/isolation.aspx)
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of Breath
- Difficulty breathing
- Sore Throat
- Runny Nose
If you have any of these symptoms, please click on this link for the AHS online self-assessment tool. https://myhealth.alberta.ca/journey/covid-19/Pages/COVID-Self-Assessment.aspx
RISK ASSESSMENTS
For staff, faculty, and contractors who are working on campus, the risk assessment can be found here.
Please contact Eddy Souriol or Stephanie Nash if you have any questions regarding this risk assessment
HAND HYGIENE
One of the best ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is proper hand hygiene by using hand sanitizer regularly or by washing your hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds. There are several hand-sanitizing stations around campus for students, staff, faculty, contractors and visitors to use. Below is the proper hand washing technique:
How the University will respond if a confirmed diagnoses on campus:
Where a Faculty, Student or employee is diagnosed with COVID-19, the University is ready to take action to ensure the ongoing safety of the workplace. If the diagnosed individual previously worked in close proximity with others, those individuals will be required to be quarantined immediately. The University will arrange immediate sterilization and sanitization of the COVID-19-positive areas used before their diagnosis. All efforts will be made to ensure our workplaces do not present a danger of infection to other community members. The University will also be working closely with any relevant government authorities.
Students with flu-like symptoms:
Students who have any flu-like symptoms must stay home and are to notify and report these symptoms to their leader. We understand the pressure COVID-19 may place on the healthcare system, so employees will not require a doctor’s note for flu-like symptoms.
Students Returning From Countries of Concern:
Students returning from countries of concern must self-isolate for 14 days and work from home following their return and closely monitor their symptoms. If you are in a role that isn’t conducive to working from home, please work with your leader on possible reassignment activities or your paid leave options during this 14 day period.
Students wishing to voluntarily self-isolate:
Students who wish to voluntarily self-isolate due to COVID-19 (ie: Immune deficiencies etc.), are to notify the Registrar: marsha.kuchelema@stmu.ca.
Students who think they have been exposed to COVID-19
If you think you’ve been exposed to COVID-19, stay home and call Health Link 811 for instructions. Once you have instructions from Health Link, please notify the Registrar and work on your studies from home if possible.
Resources available to all Students
Do not hesitate to use the abundant amount of support and resources the University has available to students: Counselling can be reached by text at 403-333-4292. If you are in distress, contact 24/7 call 403-266-HELP (4375). For additional information on COVID-19 and advice for the public, please visit the World Health Organization or Alberta Health Services sites.
Actions & Precautions:
We want to remember that it is flu season, and that we all need to take precautions regarding the spreading of any germs.
Upholding a Kind and Respectful Community:
It is essential for all of us to remember that we need to be respectful and kind to those around us who are heightened during this time, are currently unwell with a run of the mill cold that is not COVID-19 or who are support others who are impacted by COVID-19. Be cautious on any speculation and presumptions regarding colleagues wellness as we need to ensure we are at all times supportive and respectful in our communications and interactions.
