Updates for the U of A community, week ending May 14

Posted: May 14, 3:20 p.m.

Thanks go out to the U of A community for their patience and compassion as we remain mostly online until further notice. Our collective efforts to help stop the spread of COVID-19 matter and do have a positive impact. New updates from this week are listed below.

It’s Time to Take a Shot: Vaccination Update

On May 10, all Albertans over the age of 12 became eligible to receive their first COVID-19 vaccination. To help protect you, your loved ones, our health care and frontline workers, and the community as a whole, all eligible community members are encouraged to sign-up for their first shot. 

COVID-19 vaccination appointments for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine are available for all eligible Albertans with a valid Alberta health care card at the University Health Centre Pharmacy. COVID-19 vaccination appointments for the Moderna vaccine are available for all eligible Albertans with a valid Alberta health care card at the University Health Centre.

Individuals who do not have an Alberta Health Care card can still book a vaccination through AHS by calling 811 Alberta Health Link.

For more information about COVID-19 vaccinations and the U of A community, visit COVID-19 Vaccines and U of A: What You Need to Know.

For information about off-campus vaccination bookings, visit the Alberta Health Services website. 

Provincial Mask Update

Yesterday (May 13), the province announced that anyone unable to wear a mask due to a medical condition will require a medical exception letter from an authorized health professional (e.g. from a nurse practitioner, physician, or psychologist). The medical exception letter may be presented when in a public setting if requested by enforcement officials, or retrospectively in court if a ticket is issued. Learn more about the public health orders, including masks, by visiting Alberta’s COVID-19 website. 

As a reminder, non-medical face masks are required at all times in all university indoor common-use spaces. For the latest updates about mask use on U of A campuses, visit our COVID-19 website.

Changes to On-campus Computer Labs

To support the increased public health restrictions, effective today, on-campus computer lab access will be limited to Education South 155A and 155B. Advanced booking is required. For the latest information about on-campus computer labs, including booking information, visit the IST website. 

Summer Camp Impacts

Based on current public health restrictions, the U of A’s annual summer camps are planning for what their programming might look like this summer. Some are planning for online delivery, while others will be preparing for the possibility of in-person programming. To stay up to date on the camp of your choice, visit the applicable website including: DiscoverE Camps, Green and Gold Sport Camps, Faculty of Science Summer Camps.

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