The college is aware that questions have arisen from faculty and staff about the notification process when a student or employee needs to self-isolate due to COVID-19.
From the College Executive Team
The college’s recommendation on what employees should do when they need to self-isolate includes the voluntary notification process to support monitoring on-campus exposure and potential outbreak management.
Employees who have symptoms, test positive for COVID-19 or need to self-isolate should notify their workplace leader if their work schedule or attendance will be impacted by absence. Employees are also encouraged to notify OHS@camosun.ca to self-report and provide voluntary information.
Students who have symptoms, test positive for COVID-19 or need to self-isolate should notify their instructor(s) to self-report if their class participation or attendance will be impacted, as per regular practice for absence due to illness.
The BCCDC updated its information on testing requirements and only a small group of people are prioritized for immediate testing such as health care workers and people at high risk. Everyone else, not on the priority else, with mild or no COVID-19 specific symptoms, is being asked to stay home until symptoms resolve. When unsure, public health advice follows the standard protocol to use the self-assessment tool, contact your health care provider or phone 8-1-1.
FAQS and more information is available at camosun.ca/covid19.
COVID-19 rapid testing
The BCCDC has provided an update on COVID-19 rapid testing for colleges and universities. Self-administered rapid tests will be distributed directly to post-secondary institutions based on availability. Rapid tests will be available as an optional, time-limited initiative for the testing of symptomatic employees and students.
As outlined in the BCCDC document, the first allocation of kits will be distributed to employees offering in-person learning and services to support academic and operational continuity (two tests per person). A second allocation of test kits will be distributed, based on a proportional allocation of available test kits, for students to support learning continuity. Additional allocation may be considered based on availability.
The college does not have further details on the rollout plan and will continue to provide information as it becomes available.
B.C. vaccine
The B.C. Vaccine Card will remain in effect until June 30, 2022, as outlined by the Provincial Health Officer. At Camosun, a B.C. Vaccine Card is required to access fitness centres, Chargers games and non-educational indoor events once they are permitted to start up again.
Updated BCCDC Return to Campus Public Health Guidance
The BCCDC also updated their public health guidance for post-secondary institutions to support in-person learning for the winter months.
New Workplace Safety Order:
The Provincial Health Officer has released a new Workplace Safety Order requiring employers to have a COVID-19 Safety Plan in accordance with WorkSafeBC guidance. Section T confirms that the Order does not apply to post-secondary institutions because detailed COVID-19 protocols have already been developed to address COVID-19 related risks, in close collaboration with staff from the office of the Provincial Health Officer.
Contact information
Rodney Porter
Executive Director, Communications and MarketingCamosun College