Holiday safety and the COVID-19 Omicron variant

A message from VCC Director, Safety, Security and Risk, Surinder Aulakh

Updated Dec. 21, 2021

Dear VCC community,

As you are likely aware, the new Omicron variant of the virus causing COVID-19 has brought heightened concerns around increased virus spread. It has also reinforced the need for continuing vaccinations and booster shots.

VCC continues to plan for on-campus delivery of programs and services in January 2022, which we have been doing safely since September 2021. Should direction change, updates will be shared as soon as possible with students and employees.

During VCC’s holiday break (Dec. 22 to Jan. 3), members of the VCC Emergency Operations Centre and senior leadership will be in contact with government, health authorities, and other post-secondary leaders. We will continue to assess the risk and any interventions or protocols that may be necessary to continue to keep our communities safe. As always, VCC will follow the direction of the B.C. government and health authorities regarding COVID-19.

As we approach the holidays, I would also like to remind students, faculty, and staff to continue to adhere to the updated safety recommendations and protocols set out by the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) Dr. Bonnie Henry.

Please follow Dr. Henry's order to limit holiday gatherings to close friends and family and avoid attending or hosting parties with strangers of unknown vaccination status.

How you can do your part over the holiday break

Please consider these top three ways everyone can do their part to keep themselves and each other safe.

1. Get vaccinated

Vaccines are our best option for preventing COVID-19 infections, serious outcomes, and sustained transmission. Full vaccination (currently two doses) continues to offer a high level of protection against COVID-19.

VCC strongly encourages all students and employees who are eligible and able, to get vaccinated.

2. Conduct a daily self-assessment

Before heading out to any holiday activity, perform a self-assessment to check on possible COVID-19 symptoms. This COVID-19 self-assessment tool will help you determine whether you may need further testing COVID-19. If you are feeling unwell, please stay home.

3. Wear a mask

Masks are currently required in all public indoor settings for all people born in 2009 or earlier (12+).

Please remember that there are those for whom wearing a mask is not an option. Wear a mask if you are able, and respect those who cannot.

Additionally, personal hygiene measures such as proper hand washing and sanitizing, and coughing or sneezing into elbows continue to be strongly recommended.  

Keep informed by visiting the BC Centre for Disease Control website for the latest information on COVID-19 and check the BC Government's COVID-19 site for any additional public health updates. The Government of Canada's COVID-19 information line can also be reached by calling 1.833.784.4397.

The VCC community has done a tremendous job navigating and responding to new orders and recommendations from the PHO, and I am confident that we will continue to do so. 

Please have a safe holiday, get vaccinated, and let’s continue to do our very best to take care of each other.

Sincerely,

Surinder Aulakh
Director, Safety, Security and Risk
Vancouver Community College