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COVID-19 Guidelines Update Aug 16, 2021
General Statement: At Lakeland, the health and safety of our community is our top priority. COVID-19 safety plans have been created following provincial health authority guidelines to ensure fair and consistent processes are established to support employees, students and the public.
Date: Aug. 16, 2021
Expectation: Lakeland is planning for a return to in-person learning for the fall semester of the 2021-2022 academic year. This will allow students to benefit from the hands-on learning opportunities and campus life experiences available at Lakeland.
Overview: The Government of Alberta and the Government of Saskatchewan have made changes to many of the public health measures specific to COVID-19. The Government of Saskatchewan lifted its restrictions July 11. The Government of Alberta removed most restrictions July 1, with additional changes July 29. More changes will take effect Sept 27.
Lakeland guidelines: Lakeland will gradually move toward a return to normalcy in our day-to-day on-campus operations. Our goal is to build towards a full reopening of our campuses including residences by Aug. 23.
Return to work: • •
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Although most restrictions were lifted in July, Lakeland encourages a gradual return to campus for its employees. Academic schools and departments created plans for employees return to campus by Aug. 23. Employees unsure of when they are required to work on campus should speak to their supervisor. Face-to-face meetings are permitted but people are encouraged to continue to conduct virtual meetings when practical.
COVID-19 risk mitigation changes This chart reflects the status of risk mitigation requirements at the Vermilion and Lloydminster campuses. As mandatory restrictions are lifted, people are encouraged to assess and manage their personal risk and are encouraged to continue using precautions that will serve their needs.
Risk mitigation Status at Lakeland as of July 29 Physical distancing
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Face coverings
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Daily assessment
• • •
Feeling unwell
• • •
Plexiglass barriers
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Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette
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Cleaning and disinfecting Immunization
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Social gatherings
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Not required. Traffic flow signage will remain in place to encourage spacing between people. Not required. People may still wish to wear face coverings depending on their own risk assessment and comfort level. Students, employees and guests are no longer required to complete the daily assessment before coming on campus. The Government of Alberta’s expectation is that people who test positive for COVID-19 will inform those with whom they have been in close contact. In Saskatchewan, the health authority will continue to track positive cases and may identify close contacts. To reduce your risk of spreading illness, stay home if you are sick. If you feel well enough to work, speak to your supervisor about working from home. Students should communicate with their instructor/program chair about options when feeling unwell. It’s recommended that barriers remain in place in high traffic service areas, such as Student Services, bookstores, and cafeterias. Barriers are an effective means of reducing transmission, so departments and academic schools wanting to keep barriers in place are welcome to do so. Continue to wash your hands often. Hand sanitizer will continue to be provided in numerous areas throughout Lakeland. Continue to cough or sneeze into a bent elbow and promptly dispose of used tissues. Enhanced cleaning of high-touch spaces will continue. Lakeland follows the recommendations of Alberta Health Services and the Saskatchewan Health Authority. Both organizations recommend that eligible individuals be immunized. There are no longer capacity restrictions on indoor or outdoor gatherings.
Status at Lakeland as of July 29 Transportation
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Face coverings are not required in vehicles owned by Lakeland when used by staff and/or current students.
Status at Lakeland as of Sept 27 • Face coverings are not required in vehicles.
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Self-isolation for positive cases COVID-19
Face coverings must be worn if members of the public are being transported (for example, campus tours). In Saskatchewan: In Saskatchewan: • local medical health officer may • local medical health officer order self-isolation if warranted. may order self-isolation if It’s expected that positive cases warranted. It’s expected that will be required to isolate for at positive cases will be required least 10 days. to isolate for at least 10 days. In Alberta: In Alberta: • the legal requirement for 10-day • people with COVID-19 isolation will be lifted but symptoms and confirmed isolation is still recommended. • People who test positive are cases are required to isolate. asked to notify close contacts of • All asymptomatic COVID-19 their positive result. testing will no longer be Lakeland: recommended. • Self-isolate if asked by local • All positive tests will continue medical health officer to do so. to be notified. Contact tracers • Lakeland encourages employees will not notify close contacts of who test positive but feel well enough to work to talk to their positive cases but will ask that supervisor about working from individuals do so when home options. informed of their positive • Students who test positive result. should speak to their instructor/program chair about their options. • Lakeland’s Health Services department is available to provide students and employees with assistance.
Recreation centres •
The facilities at both campuses are open to the public.
Public access • • • •
Lakeland facilities may be used by the public. Visitors may come on campus. People are still encouraged to book appointments in August as in-person staff availability will be limited. Completing the daily assessment is no longer required.
Residence • •
Residence may plan for close to full occupancy within residences, including shared accommodation and full use of communal washrooms. A portion of rooms should be set aside for isolation purposes.
Lakeland Rustlers Lakeland Rustlers teams will compete under league/association and institution guidelines.
Travel • • •
Business-related travel in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Northwest Territories and Yukon is allowed. Business-related travel elsewhere in Canada requires Senior Leadership Team approval. Please use virtual options where practical. Requests for international travel must be submitted to the Senior Leadership Team via maureen.lehmann@lakelandcollege.ca
Surge of COVID-19 cases •
Lakeland must be prepared to react quickly to a surge in cases. This may result in potential short-term closures of programs/activities or a return to people wearing face coverings and other restrictions. If there is a surge in cases, Lakeland will work with provincial public health officials for direction.
Exceptions to these directives •
Requests for an exception to these guidelines may be made by the school’s dean or department’s director to the COVID-19 committee. The dean or director should email covid19@lakelandcollege.ca with the request.