COVID-19 Information for the U of A Community
Spring/Summer 2020
Fall 2020
Campus Status
- All classes and exams remote
- Campus buildings are closed to public
- Most employees working remotely
- Approved research work on campus
Updated: May 25
Campus Life in Fall 2020
What will life be like at the U of A?
Visit Campus Life: Your Fall 2020 online hub to help you make the most of your U of A experience.
Latest Updates
Prevention
To minimize the spread of any respiratory virus (including things like the flu/influenza and COVID-19), Alberta Health Services recommends the following:
- Wash your hands with soap and water often. If soap and water are not readily available, you can use alcohol-based hand sanitizer, if hands are not visibly dirty.
- Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
- Use a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw it in a garbage bin lined with a plastic bag.
- If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve.
- Wash your hands immediately after coughing and/or sneezing.
- Stay home if you’re sick.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces that are shared and used often.
Principle Statement
As Alberta Post-Secondary Institutions, we have an important role to play in preventing the spread of COVID-19. We will take a responsible and proactive approach that balances the goal of supporting our students in achieving their learning objectives with the safety and health of our learners and institutional team members. While the decisions made by each institution will be unique to the institution needs and context, we are collectively utilizing alternative delivery models and solutions as well as staffing models to ensure that our doors remain open. We recognize that the decisions we make today will need to be sustainable into the months ahead. Because the situation regarding COVID-19 is dynamic, we will continue to follow the advice of public health agencies as it is updated.
The U of A’s Public Health Response Team (phrtinfo@ualberta.ca) manages the university's preparation and response to public health issues. The university is closely monitoring and following the directives of the Public Health Agency of Canada, Alberta Health Services, Global Affairs Canada, and other relevant and trusted public health authorities.
Latest Updates
Returning to Campus Safely
When and How to Safely Return to Campus
Faculty and staff can assess if they are eligible to return, and if so, how they can prepare for being one of the first team members back on campus.
eCourse: Returning to Campus
A 10-minute online program that will help you understand the hazards and risks, and what you can do to protect yourself, your colleagues, and family from COVID-19. All returning employees are required to complete this eCourse. Open to students too.
Common and Shared Spaces Protocols
Policy and guidance documents on how to manage shared work, research and study spaces on spaces campus, such as computer labs, administrative spaces and drylabs, wet lab environments, shared offices and labs (graduate students), and the use of non-medical masks.
Safety Measures General Directives
Safety protocols and resources for Faculties, Departments, and University planning groups to ensure a safe return to and operations on our campuses.
Managing Safe Returns to Campus
Managers are guided through assessing if the time is right for their team to come back. These steps will ensure that your campus work complies with public health directives.
Promote Fall 2020 Campus Safety
Signage, tools and assets to promote and build awareness of safety protocols for services, activities and class components on U of A campuses this fall.
On-Campus Research
Guidance for researchers on how to ready their campus research spaces and work environments to meet current public health requirements. Once ready, researchers can then apply to resume their research on campus.
Continuity Planning
During the COVID-19 pandemic, all on-campus activities must be prepared to shut down on-campus operations, including labs, within 48 hours. Here’s guidance on how to do that.
Campus Life in Fall 2020
What will life be like at the U of A?
Visit Campus Life: Your Fall 2020 online hub to help you make the most of your U of A experience.
Resources for Working, Teaching, and Learning
Prioritize your Health
Follow these steps to keep yourself healthy and minimize the spread of any respiratory virus (including COVID-19).
1. Prevent
- Regularly complete the COVID-19 Alberta Health Daily Checklist
- Follow all campus safety guidelines
- Practice good hygiene and stay home if you’re ill
2. Stay informed
Mental Health Support
The COVID-19 pandemic can have a significant impact on your mental health. This is an uncertain and disruptive time, and you may be experiencing heightened anxiety or stress. Resources are available if you, or someone you know, is struggling or needs a little extra support.
Support for students Support for employees and their families
Travel Resources
Global Affairs Canada’s global Level 3 avoid all travel advisory is still in effect. As a result, all international and interprovincial university travel remains suspended until further notice. Any travellers coming into Canada must self-isolate for 14 days.
U of A Travel Resources
- University of Alberta COVID-19 Travel Directive
- Student immigration, travel, employment and COVID-19
- Faculty and staff travel and immigration and COVID-19
- Off-campus activity and travel policies
- UGo - the university's travel registry
- Field Research & COVID-19
- Insurance for Travel
- International Travel Medical and Security Assistance
- Travel policy FAQs
- Isolation accommodation program
