Updates for the U of A community, week ending April 23

Posted: April 23, 3:30 p.m.

Fall 2021 courses coming to Bear Tracks Monday, April 26

On Monday, April 26, the Fall 2021 course schedule will be released in Bear Tracks and indicates the location as ‘Main’ for in-person courses or ‘Online’. This will allow students the opportunity to begin planning and make decisions based on our current directives. To support students in making the best decisions for their courses, we’ve delayed our Fall 2021/Winter 2022 registration to start mid-May. If you are a continuing student, or a student who has accepted your admission offer, your enrolment dates are assigned in Bear Tracks and differ based on year of study. To learn more about how to create a draft schedule and be ready for your enrolment date, review Registration and Courses.

The U of A is planning a safe transition to primarily in-person activities in September, with flexibility to meet health needs and safety limitations that might still exist.

Required 10-min safety course for Spring/Summer on-campus community

Student Life During COVID-19 is a short required eCourse for all students participating in on-campus learning or research activities this coming term. If you are registered for an in-person course, before your first day on campus you will need to submit your course completion certificate to your instructor(s)/supervisor(s). Instructors and staff who are scheduled to be on U of A campuses for the Spring/Summer 2021 term will also need to complete a similar campus safety eCourse. A refresher version is available for those who have previously completed the full course.

Spring/Summer on-campus Start of Term Guides

Spring/Summer 2021 campus safety Start of Term Guides have been distributed to all students, instructors and researchers scheduled to be on campus next term. This quick reference guide covers the essential health and safety information you need to know before coming to campus. Start of Term Guide for On-Campus Students, Spring/Summer 2021 >>

Time off for your COVID-19 vaccine appointment

U of A faculty and staff may take up to three hours off with pay to get their COVID-19 vaccine. Similar to other medical appointments, please provide your supervisor with as much advance notice as is possible so that they can ensure operational needs are covered. Where possible, please schedule appointments to least interfere with your work schedule. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and the U of A >>

Updates to Alberta’s vaccine rollout 

Currently, everyone over 40 and many people with health conditions over 16 are eligible for their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine in Alberta. On April 20, participating pharmacies and Alberta Health Services began booking appointments for AstraZeneca vaccinations for people born in 1981 or earlier. Learn more about Alberta’s COVID-19 vaccine program >>

Err on the side of caution with your gatherings

The U of A’s Rapid Response Triage Team has been hard at work supporting an increased number of COVID-19 cases affecting our campus communities. The majority of cases impacting our campus communities over the past few weeks have been related to private social gatherings. During this high-point in the pandemic, choose to err on the side of caution with your gatherings -- go virtual, postpone for a few weeks, or keep your mask on if gathering outdoors. 

Canada suspends flights from India and Pakistan

Transportation Canada has suspended direct flights to Canada from India and Pakistan for 30 days effective April 22. In addition, travellers arriving by an indirect route will require a negative COVID test completed at their final point of departure to Canada. Students travelling to Canada are reminded that they must be registered in either the Isolation Accommodation Program or the Off Campus Isolation and Travel Registry.

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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