New on-campus safety measures in effect November 19th

A message from the VCC Emergency Operations Centre (EOC)

BC’s Provincial Health Officer (PHO) has ordered new province-wide restrictions to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. Some of these restrictions previously applied to the Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Regions only. As of November 19, 2020, they apply to the entire province.

ON CAMPUS

Daily self-assessment

Due to increased provincial health restrictions and tracking measures, all employees (admin, staff, faculty) are now required to complete a daily self-assessment (https://bc.thrive.health) each day you are physically on any VCC campus. 

• This is in addition to the weekly Pre-Screen Questionnaire. 
• The daily assessment is a self-check, and does not need to be submitted to VCC.
  • However, a negative assessment needs to be communicated to your supervisor.
  • Students will continue with the assessment process via Moodle and their instructors.

Masks are required in all indoor public settings and workplaces

• This applies to common areas where people circulate freely, such as hallways, stairwells, elevators, etc. 
  • Enclosed office spaces are exempt where physical distancing can be maintained. 
  • The mask requirement does not apply to people unable to wear a mask or put on or remove a mask on their own.  

OFF CAMPUS

This summary of restrictions relates to activities that may impact students and staff in their personal lives off campus.

Refer to the new province-wide restrictions for more details. 

Social gatherings 

No social gatherings of any size with anyone other than your household or core bubble. This applies to both indoor and outdoor spaces. 

• A person who lives alone may have up to two other people visit if they are people with whom the person regularly interacts. 

Events

• All events and gatherings as defined in the PHO Gatherings and Events Order are suspended until further notice. 
  • NOTE: this does not apply to educational activities offered by post-secondary institutions to deliver and/or support student learning and development, as safety precautions are already in place.  
  • Please see page 15 of the COVID-19 Go-Forward Guidelines for BC’s Post-Secondary Sector [PDF] for more information on educational activities. 
  • Events such as convocation ceremonies are not considered educational activities, and will take place virtually when possible.  

Athletic Activities

• Please review the Athletic Activities section of the new province-wide restrictions.
• The following high-risk indoor group physical activities must be suspended:
  • Spin classes
  • Hot yoga
  • High intensity interval training 
• Gyms and recreation facilities that offer individual workouts and personal training sessions can remain open as long as they have a COVID-19 Safety Plan that is strictly followed. 
• Games, competitions, and practices can continue with no spectators and no travel. 

Travel

• All non-essential travel should be avoided. This includes travel into and out of B.C. and between regions of the province.  
• Essential travel within B.C. includes:
  • Regular travel for work within your region
  • Travel for medical appointments and hospital visits