COVID-19 Guidelines Transportation General Statement: Lakeland College employees and students are one of its most valuable resources. COVID-19 safety procedures have been created to ensure fair and consistent processes are established to support employees and students as they continue to work and learn on campus. The following measures will help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Symptom monitoring •
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Before beginning the day on campus, employees and students are required to complete the Daily Assessment Tool available at lakelandcollege.ca/covid19, the Lakeland app or the Lakeland Safe app For contact tracing purposes, a list of students being transported by bus will be created and kept by their instructor and shared only with Health Services.
Student vehicles •
Students are permitted to drive their own vehicles for field trips and labs after first consulting with their department representative.
General guidelines • • • • •
Postpone long-distance field trips wherever possible. Departments should create rapid response plans specific to their department/program travel plans using Alberta Health Services guidance documents. Those travelling should ensure they have an adequate supply of 3-ply face masks to provide to those experiencing symptoms. Members of the Lakeland community should review the Alberta Government guidance on the use of chartered buses and rideshares. The COVID-19 subcommittee must review individual requests for local transportation and evaluate if an allowance can be made to any of the following COVID-19 restrictions. Please contact facilities for further information.
Section 1: Student and employee transportation in chartered buses and 7, 10 and 12-passenger vans Physical distancing/PPE •
Number of passengers will be decreased to accommodate 2-metre physical distancing. Refer to the following guidelines for maximum capacity: COVID-19 Transportation Guidelines - 1
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a. When 23 passenger buses are used, a maximum of 8 passengers b. When 10 or 12 passenger vans are used, a maximum of 5 occupants (4 passengers and the driver) c. When 7 passenger vans are used, no more than 3 occupants (2 passengers and the driver) When entering the vehicle, passengers will fill the seats starting with the back seat first and the front seats last to ensure physical distancing can be maintained 3-ply face coverings to be used while entering the vehicle and while traveling Staggered seating will be used to maintain distance Occupants will load and unload their own baggage onto the vehicle to prevent driver contact with baggage etc. Passengers are required to physically distance (2 meters) while waiting outside for their bus
Disinfection/cleaning • • •
Hand sanitizer provided for students to use upon entering the bus Charter vehicle operator is responsible for disinfecting the bus before and after occupancy Tissues for necessary use (sneezing etc.) and receptacles for disposal (trash cans) will be provided on the vehicle
Signage/visual cues •
Signage may be used by the charter to detail procedures for physical distancing while they wait
Proper protocols during transport • •
Occupants are required to remain in their seat for the duration of the trip Occupants are encouraged to use the same seat on return travel
Other steps •
Air flow through the bus may be enhanced by opening windows and restricting recirculating air on the bus
Section 2: Student and employee transportation in college fleet vehicles • •
Wherever possible, staff and students are encouraged to travel alone to ensure physical distancing If more than one occupant in a college vehicle is necessary, 3-ply face coverings are required on both occupants for the duration of the trip
COVID-19 Transportation Guidelines - 2
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If more than one occupant in a college vehicle is necessary (one passenger and the driver), the passenger must sit in the rear passenger seat to increase the physical distance between themselves and the driver. The operator of the vehicle will wipe down high touch surfaces before and after use of the vehicle. This includes handles, steering wheel, seat belt connectors, knobs, shifts and levers etc.)
Section 3: Personal staff or student vehicles used for transportation • • • • • •
It is recommended that no more than two people occupy a personal vehicle at one time If a student chooses to drive their own vehicle, they will consult with their department representative prior to the trip. If only 1 passenger, that passenger will sit in the rear passenger seat to ensure physical distancing from the driver Both occupants of the vehicle will always wear a 3-ply face covering during the trip Occupants are to utilize the same vehicle on their return travel When students use their own vehicles, the student’s insurance is the first responder. If the student’s insurance will not completely cover then the insurance will be covered by Lakeland College non-owned vehicle insurance.
Section 4: Rapid Response Plan: In transit symptoms Procedure - staff or student becomes symptomatic while in transit Individual becomes symptomatic on a long or short trip via bus, van or college vehicle • Ensure the person is wearing a face covering and physical distancing from other occupants until arrival at the destination • Upon arrival, symptomatic person exits the vehicle and physically distance themselves from those exiting • Ensure all occupants exit the vehicle being as careful as possible not to touch points and to maintain distance • Have non-symptomatic travelers wash hands and change face coverings immediately • Immediately disinfect the vehicle using proper protocols for disinfecting • Symptomatic traveler will not enter any buildings or onto any property for the purposes of the field trip or otherwise • Symptomatic traveler will don an additional 3 ply mask • The symptomatic traveler will contact the local Health Authority and Lakeland Health Services immediately • Other travelers will self-monitor for symptoms and notify Health Services if symptoms appear. • Instructors will create and maintain a list of the contacts for all local health authorities that the bus, van or vehicle may be passing through
COVID-19 Transportation Guidelines - 3
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If any traveler develops symptoms in Alberta or within 48 hours of leaving Alberta, they must call 811 immediately.
Procedure- Transporting the symptomatic student or staff member to their home or isolation point 1. Prior to field trips or labs, departments are responsible to identify a willing designated driver to transport symptomatic travelers if necessary. 2. Department lead will contact facilities to arrange pick up of the designated COVID-19 transport vehicle. 3. Upon arrival, the driver will ensure the symptomatic passenger sits in the back seat, passenger side behind the barrier and is wearing 2 3-ply face coverings. 4. The driver will also be wearing a 3-ply face covering for the duration of the trip. 5. Upon returning the symptomatic traveler to their isolation point, the designated driver will park the vehicle in a previously determined space and the vehicle will be taken out of service until fully disinfected by facilities. 6. The designated driver will self monitor for symptoms and will notify Health Services and AHS immediately if symptoms are present. 7. In the case of a symptomatic bus/passenger van or vehicle operator: a. the department will ensure that they identify a relief driver who will follow the same protocols. b. The relief driver will accompany the willing designated driver to pick up the symptomatic vehicle operator c. The relief driver will ensure to disinfect all touch points in the vehicle prior to operating it. d. The relief driver will self monitor for symptoms and notify health services immediately if symptoms occur.
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