Updates for the U of A community, week ending August 20

Posted: August 20, 12:00 p.m.

New measures for fall return to campus & next steps

The University of Alberta, University of Calgary, and the University of Lethbridge have established new protocols as part of a joint back to campus strategy for this fall. These new measures include the following:

• Starting September 1, all those coming to campus will be required to be fully vaccinated or undergo regular rapid testing. U of A students, faculty and staff will need to confidentially self-declare their vaccination status before coming to campus. Those who are not vaccinated, and those who would prefer not to disclose their vaccine status, will need to regularly complete a rapid screening test and receive a negative result before they participate in in-person activities.
• Effective immediately, non-medical face masks must be worn in all public indoor areas on campuses with few exceptions.
• The U of A will continue to require those with COVID-19 symptoms or a positive test to self-isolate.

Additional details on how U of A community members can self-declare their vaccination status and the U of A’s rapid testing program will be available before August 25. Please note that the self-declaration / rapid testing requirement does not come into effect on campuses until September 1. For more information refer to the FAQs in COVID-19 Vaccines and U of A: What You Need to Know — this webpage will be updated as soon as more information becomes available. 

Shanthi Johnson, professor, dean of the U of A's School of Public Health, and co-chair of the university’s Fall 2021 Readiness Committee, shares insights on the U of A's newest COVID-19 measures in a new article on The Quad. 

Start of term health & safety guides now available

The Start of Term health and safety guides for Fall 2021 are now available from the Public Health Response Team. These quick reference documents highlight the critical health and safety information and protocols that on-campus students, instructors and staff need to know to minimize risk and stay healthy this fall.

U of A vaccination survey results

The results of the U of A Vaccination Survey are now available. Over 25,000 members of our community responded to this voluntary survey and 95 per cent of respondents are fully vaccinated or plan to be fully vaccinated by August 30.

REMINDER: Take the required Fall 2021 campus safety eCourse 

Fall Ready | Coming to Campus 2021 is a short mandatory eCourse for all students, staff and faculty participating in on-campus activities this coming term. The 10-minute course will help you understand potential hazards and what you can do to protect yourself, your colleagues, and your family. You may be requested by your instructor(s) or supervisor to produce your course completion certificate. Due to changes in health and safety practices, all employees and students who have completed a previous version of the eCourse are also expected to complete this new Fall 2021 version.

Phased return to on-campus work for faculty and staff continues

The transition to on-campus work for faculty and staff continues in a phased approach. U of A employees who will participate in and support the reintroduction of Fall 2021 on-campus activities are currently scheduled to come to campus in August and September. Through October to December, faculty and unit administrative staff will continue transitioning to campus, with the goal of having all employees through work location transitions by January, 2022. Resources to manage the transition to on-campus work are available for managers and employees on the Human Resources, Health, Safety and Environment website. 

Ventilation information update

Ventilation is one of the many safety measures that can help reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. More information is available on the University building ventilation systems and COVID-19 page where you will find an updated Ventilation FAQ and Supplemental Ventilation Information including our Building Filtration and Air Circulation Systems. Air change rate information is being compiled for centrally booked classrooms and will be available by August 27.

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