This email is being sent to all faculty and staff at UBC's Okanagan campus on behalf of the UBC Okanagan Resumption Planning and Coordination Committee.
COVID-19: Update on Public Health Orders
Last Thursday, BC Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry issued new Public Health Orders for all health regions in British Columbia. The orders are in place through December 7, 2020, and call on all individuals, places of work and businesses in BC to significantly reduce social interactions and travel.
While many faculty and staff continue to work remotely, some members of our community are working on campus. The updated Public Health Orders reinforce the requirement for all faculty and staff to self-assess daily for symptoms of COVID-19, before arriving at their workplace. Please use the BC self-assessment tool at bc.thrive.health. Anyone experiencing symptoms should follow the guidance provided in the self-assessment tool.
The Public Health Orders have also clarified the need for those responsible for UBC COVID-19 Safety Plans review those plan to ensure they clearly reflect the need for daily self-assessment, as well as making sure adequate measures are in place to ensure safety within small office spaces, break rooms, kitchens, and informal learning spaces.
What does it mean for students?
Students taking part in face-to-face classes or living in residence are required to complete a daily self-assessment for symptoms of COVID-19. Students are advised to use the BC self-assessment tool at bc.thrive.health. Anyone experiencing symptoms should follow the guidance provided in the self-assessment tool.
Events at UBC
The Provincial Health Officer has advised there should be no social gatherings of any size with anyone other than your household or core bubble. The order applies to all UBC campuses and sites and to any in-person events and gatherings planned to be held on or off campus in British Columbia.
Maintaining physical distancing and wearing non-medical masks
The updated Public Health Orders have further reinforced the need for all members of our community to maintain physical distance and wear non-medical masks. As a reminder, UBC students, faculty, staff and visitors are required to wear non-medical masks, when indoors in common areas on our campuses. The requirement for the use of non-medical masks applies to shared indoor spaces within UBC buildings, such as hallways, stairways, building entryways, washrooms and study spaces, classrooms, common areas in residences and other high-traffic areas.
The measures outlined above are already part of UBC’s COVID- 19 campus rules. All UBC students, faculty, staff and visitors are required to adhere to these rules when visiting our campuses. Additional FAQs related to COVID-19, and UBC’s response, can be found at: covid19.ubc.ca/information-for-faculty-staff
Thank you to all our students, faculty and staff as we navigate this complex situation. Your patience and flexibility, as we work through these changes, are appreciated.
Sincerely,
Shelley Kayfish Director, Campus Operations and Risk Management
Co-chair, UBC Okanagan Resumption Planning and Coordination Committee
Prof. Michael Burgess
Associate Provost, Strategy, UBC Okanagan
Professor and Chair in Biomedical Ethics, School of Population and Public Health, UBC Faculty of Medicine
Co-chair, UBC Okanagan Resumption Planning and Coordination Committee
