Respiratory Virus Safety Measures
In 2022, the Government of Alberta removed the remaining mandatory provincial public health measures for COVID-19. The university suspended the Safety Measures General Directives and replaced them with recommended personal safety measures.
Many of the learnings from the past few years continue to be valuable and will continue to drive personal decisions to prevent the transmission of respiratory viruses and limit serious health impacts. Public health experts recommend everyone exercise prudent personal risk management and implement individual measures to protect yourself and those around you.
The following safety measures continue to be strongly recommended and are encouraged for members of the university community:
- Get vaccinated for COVID-19 and influenza and keep your vaccinations up to date. If you work in a clinical healthcare setting, please confirm the vaccination requirements for you to work on their site. There will be students on placements where masking requirements may remain due to professional college requirements and health care setting policies.
- Monitor your personal health on a daily basis and stay home when ill. If you experience respiratory virus symptoms or test positive for any respiratory illness, the Government of Alberta recommends that you stay home until your symptoms have improved and you feel better, to minimize the risk of transmission. Advise your supervisor or instructor of any absence and consult on possible alternate arrangements.
- The Government of Alberta also recommends you wear a mask in indoor settings for a total of 10 days from when your symptoms started, especially when around individuals who are high risk (e.g., when visiting a continuing care facility or hospital).
- Wear a high quality mask in instructional spaces, indoor high-traffic or high-capacity areas or when accessing public or shared transportation.
- Various campus locations have free masks Units can order ASTM Level 3 and N95 (low quantities available) masks using this order form.
- Masking may still be mandatory when accessing clinical health care settings on campus or at AHS sites.
- Wash your hands frequently and practice good cough/sneeze etiquette. Use hand sanitizer when hand washing facilities are not available.
- Plan events and gatherings with respiratory virus and other risks in mind and institute appropriate measures that align with existing public health requirements.
- Keep your work, study or living place clean to limit transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.
Ventilation can help minimize the spread of respiratory viruses. The university’s building ventilation (HVAC) systems are designed to circulate fresh air safely and are continually monitored to ensure proper operation.
The Hazard Assessment for Respiratory Viruses is updated as conditions and public health recommendations change.
University community members are asked to respect the personal health decisions of those around them.
The Public Health Response Team (PHRT) continues to monitor the progress of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses and will adjust its measures in accordance with requirements and advice from public health authorities.