COVID-19 U of A Community Update

Only critical services and activities on campus; temporary on-campus research ramp down; Cameron Library advance bookings; on-campus recreation closed; Residences are open; campus dining and retail; U of A Botanic Garden open, and Luminaria continues.

09 December 2020

Posted: December 9, 4:35 p.m.

Yesterday, the Government of Alberta announced stronger province-wide public health restrictions. The information below details the impacts to our campus services and community activities, and builds on our initial update on these new measures distributed to the U of A community yesterday.

Work from home; only critical services and activities on campus

Most U of A employees are already working remotely. As a result of new public health restrictions and the legal requirement to work from home, we have further reduced the number of exceptions to remote work. Effective Dec. 14, only critical services on campuses, critical and COVID-19 research activities and approved in-person courses and exams should continue to be active on campus between Dec. 14, 2020 and Jan. 11, 2021. One-time and occasional visits to campus are also not permitted during these temporary safety measures, unless they meet the above criteria and are approved by a supervisor.

Temporary on-campus research ramp down, Dec. 14 - Jan. 11

Based on the current public health crisis and new provincial restrictions, the Public Health Response Team has made the difficult decision to temporarily ramp down on-campus research from Dec. 14, 2020 to Jan. 11, 2021, with the possibility of extension based on situational circumstances and provincial government direction. Exceptions to this temporary on-campus research ramp down will be very limited. Further details will be distributed to our on-campus research community and posted online.

Advance bookings still available in Cameron Library Building

Advance study space and computer bookings are still available in the Cameron Library Building; however, the Research Data Centre will close this Friday, Dec. 11 until at least Jan. 11. For more information on hours of operation during the winter closure, please visit the U of A Library website.

On-campus recreation closed Dec. 13 to Jan. 11

Effective Sunday, December 13, 2020 until January 11, 2021 all sports and recreation facilities on all campuses will be closed.

See Campus and Community Recreation »

Residences are open and operational

Students living on campus will receive further direction before the end of this week on how the new measures may impact their day-to-day activities, including indoor and outdoor gatherings, common areas, dining services, and recreation spaces.

Impacts on campus dining and retail

All campus dining and retail operations will soon be updating their hours of operation or provide takeaway service only in order to meet public health restrictions before Dec. 13. Visit uab.ca/hours and click on “What’s Open on Campus?” to find out more.

U of A Botanic Garden open, and Luminaria continues

After a brief suspension to assess the latest health restrictions, the U of A Botanic Garden and its popular outdoor Luminaria event will continue as planned. Please note that the Northern Light Dining Experience has been cancelled due to public health restrictions. Further Botanic Garden announcements will be posted as information becomes available.


COVID-19 information for the U of A community: uab.ca/covid19

General inquiries: U of A Public Health Response Team, phrtinfo@ualberta.ca

COVID-19 Rapid Response support for on-campus supervisors, instructors and activity coordinators: U of A Rapid Response Triage Team, phrt.triage@ualberta.ca