COVID-19 (novel Coronavirus) Information
COVID-19 Updates
May 4, 2021
In accordance with the May 4, 2021 release from Government of Alberta, new mandatory health restrictions will be put in place to help stop the spike of COVID-19 and protect the health care system.
Effective immediately, there are enhanced restrictions for high case areas. These new restrictions will be on outdoor social gatherings, schools, retail, restaurants, places of worship, personal and wellness services, outdoor sports and fitness, funerals, and post-secondary institutions.
Post-secondaries must move all theory based learning to on-line delivery effective immediately. Currently, Keyano has theory based program components delivered virtually. Labs, shops, and practicums are permitted to continue in person when required for a student’s academic completion. Practicums may be affected where an employer restriction applies.
For more information visit Alberta Health Services webpage and we encourage you to read the provincial new release or watch the news conference.
The health and safety of our students and employees remains our foremost concern and the College wants all employees and student to adhere to the following guidelines.
· Working from home is mandatory, unless it is absolutely necessary for you to be at the College. We expect to see a minimal number of employees on campus. We expect only faculty members required for labs, shops, and practicums to be on campus and you must strictly observe AHS COVID-19 Guidelines.
· The Syncrude Sport & Wellness Centre’s gym facilities will remain closed until further notice and all Huskies practices are suspended other than in a virtual format.
· Only necessary visits to the College campus is permitted, and Executive will be monitoring the Daily Log Insheet, but if you need to be on campus, you will be required to sign in. All additional entrances will be locked.
o Clearwater Campus - Security Entrance F
o Syncrude Sport & Wellness Centre – Main Entrance
o SEIC – Main Entrance
It is imperative that you follow these guidelines to help stop the spread and protect yourselves and those around you.
| New Health Measures for Post-Secondary |
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Good Afternoon
Thank you again for your patience. The latest Health Orders 19-2021 and 20-2021 have been released. Order 19 applies to all regions that are above the threshold of 50 active cases per 100,000 people and 30 or more active cases. Order 20 applies to all regions that are below this threshold. Please note that the restrictions for post-secondary institutions are the same in regions that are above and below this threshold.
Order 19 prohibits students from attending post-secondary institutions except for under conditions found in Part 13.4. (In Order 20, see part 11.4) We still stress that we would like to see in-person activity being the exception not the norm, therefore we ask that you only continue in-person activities that are essential. All in-person activities happening on campuses MUST continue to follow all applicable health guidance including physical distancing, mask wearing, personal hygiene and cleaning protocols, etc.
Part 13 of Order 19-2021 (Part 11 in Order 20) outlines that that a student can attend a PSI if the student makes prior arrangements with the PSI officials in advance of attending the PSI for any purpose, and PSI officials support the attendance. In other words, if a PSI deems that a student needs to be on campus for any reason they can give the student permission to be on campus. The PSI does have obligations to ensure all safety precautions are taken (see 13.4 in Order 19 for the full wording – or 11.4 in Order 20), and the student is required to follow PSI instructions around COVID-19 precautions.
Health orders specific to post-secondary education apply to Advanced Education’s stakeholders, including private/independent post-secondary institution, private career colleges, private institutions with international designation, First Nation Colleges, and Community Adult Learning Programs. We are working with Health to better define post-secondary institutions to reduce confusion in the future. I would also like to remind you of the Vaccination Information Session Scheduled for tomorrow, May 11th at 2:00pm to 3:00pm. If you haven’t already, please register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9uNN0TLxTCerOZ3-D32cQw Thank you. If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact Advanced Education at AE.CampusAlberta@gov.ab.ca. We will continue to keep you informed of any additional information relevant to your campuses as it becomes available.
Good afternoon,
Thank you for your patience. As you know, on May 4, it was announced that post-secondary institutions would be required to move to online studies immediately. We are aware that many of our post-secondary providers deliver programs and courses that can only be done in-person. We also know our institutions have strong plans in place to support alternate class delivery and protect the health of their campus communities.
Although we are waiting for final confirmation from Alberta Health, we are pleased to communicate the following activities will likely be allowed to continue under the new public health measures:
· Final examinations that require in-person, hands-on delivery. · Classes, labs, practicums, field work, courses and/or programs that MUST be hands on / in-person. · Student access to facilities on campus (e.g. research labs, horse arenas, animal care facilities, etc.) for the purposes of maintaining equipment/specimens, and providing for animal care or exercise.
Once we have definitive confirmation that these events can proceed, either through Chief Medical Officer of Health Order or through exemption, we will notify you immediately. In the meantime, we ask for your continued patience.
During this time, we would ask that post-secondary providers thoroughly examine what learning activities and experiences absolutely need to occur in person, and which can be delayed or placed online. We would like to see in-person activity being the exception not the norm, therefore we ask that you only continue in-person activities that are essential. All in-person activities happening on campuses MUST be specifically permitted by CMOH Order or an exemption to those orders, and MUST continue to follow all applicable health guidance including physical distancing, mask wearing, personal hygiene and cleaning protocols, etc.
Further guidance details for specific in-person learning activities are still being determined. These include, but are not limited to: · Programs and courses that require students to interact with the public as part of their in-person learning (ex. Personal and wellness services). It is being determined if students will be allowed to interact with the public. · Fitness and performance activities that require in-person learning and access to facilities. It is being determined if further guidance such as increased distancing or smaller groups is required.
We know this situation is frustrating, but we must do everything we can to continue to protect the health and safety of students, faculty, staff and their families. Taking action today will protect lives, and help support a return to campus learning this fall.
Thank you
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| Previous Updates |
| April 25, 2021
In a Special Meeting on Sunday April 25, RMWB Council passed a motion to declare a State of Local Emergency (SOLE) to support the efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19. We must continue to do our part to curb the rise of COVID-19 positive cases. Please observe all AHS COVID-19 restrictions. The health and safety of our students and employees remains our foremost concern and the College wants all employees and student to adhere to the following guidelines. · Meaningful work from home is mandatory unless otherwise required by your position or by direction of your supervisor. · Labs and clinical work will continue to happen on campus strictly following AHS COVID-19 guidelines. · The Syncrude Sport & Wellness Centre’s gym facilities will be remain closed until further notice and all Huskies practices are suspended other than in a virtual format. · We want you to limit your visits to College, and Executive will be monitoring the daily log in sheet, but if you need to be on campus, you will be required to sign in. The following entrances are open, all additional entrances will be locked. o Clearwater Campus - Security Entrance F o Syncrude Sport & Wellness Centre – Main Entrance o SEIC – Main Entrance · Please use the COVID-19 Health Check App daily even if you are working from home. The Keyano Executive is monitoring the use of this App.
We are taking this opportunity to remind our students and employees to be diligent about the day-to-day measures we can do to help prevent the spread.
It is imperative that you follow these guidelines to help stop the spread and protect yourselves and those around you.
COVID-19 Keyano closures as of April 7, 2020The latest Government of Alberta COVID-19 measures that came into effect at 11:59 p.m. April 6 are affecting areas of Keyano College. Here are the latest operations impacted: Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre: The Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre (SSWC) is temporarily closing. The closure will also affect one-on-one training as this service will not be offered. All memberships will remain on hold, and no payments will be taken during the closure. Any questions can be directed to Guest Services. During the SSWC closure, personal training will be offered one-on-one virtually. To sign up, contact Taylor Cote. Keyano College Library: Keyano College Library, study spaces, book stacks, and computer labs will be closed until further notice. Scan-on-Demand, arrangements for collection pickup, Book-a-Librarian, and all other virtual reference services remain available Monday to Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. You can visit the Keyano Library COVID-19 Information page for the latest information. Keyano Theatre and Arts Centre: The Keyano Theatre and Arts Centre studio rentals are being adjusted based on AHS guidelines. Adult dance classes and all other programs are cancelled. Kids dance (10 or less) and music classes (one on one) are still proceeding with appropriate measures and guidelines. The April Theatre bookings have been cancelled or postponed. One-on-one music instruction will proceed with measures in place. The Oilsands Rotary Music Festival is cancelled. Keyano Theatre has partnered with Theatre; Just Because to co-present the play Purge in July. In-person auditions and the rehearsal schedule starting at the end of April are being re-addressed to virtual means. The Theatre is working with its spring clients to discuss contingency planning. It is also continuing dialogue with the Multi-Cultural Association to address their recurring Financial Literacy course and determine if a change needs to take place. Keyano College Continuing Education: Rental space in Keyano College Continuing Education is based on the Guidance for Post-secondary Institutions (PSI). Representatives from Continuing Education will contact any booking affected by these new guidelines. For further information on these updated restrictions, please visit the Alberta Health page.
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Provincial update details in full |
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On April 7, 2021, new provincial measures came into effect. Read all of the details here:
Alberta Health COVID-19 Update
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Keyano College is closely monitoring COVID-19 and is following the advice of Alberta Health Services and other reliable agencies as the situation evolves. Please note, this webpage will be updated regularly as part of the effort to keep you informed with the most accurate and up-to-date information, but due to rapidly changing situations, events sometime outpace us.
- Employees visit this webpage for important information and updates.
- Students visit this webpage for important information and updates.
- Employees and students, if you have any questions, fill out this form and we'll post the answers under a FAQ section.
The Coronavirus situation is changing quickly which can result in misinformation being shared. Below are a number of resources from AHS, Government of Alberta, and other trusted sources to help you stayed informed.
News Updates
COVID-19 Response Scenarios
| Employee exhibits COVID-19 symptoms before coming to work |
| Employee exhibits symptoms |
| Employee becomes sick while at Keyano |
| Employee becomes sick |
| Negative test result |
| Negative result |
| Employee or student receives a positive result |
| Student in residence requires self-isolation |
| Student in residence must self-isolate |
| Student becomes sick while at Keyano |
| Student becomes sick while at Keyano |
Housing Responses
| Housing response |
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You receive a call about a sick resident
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| Security response |
| Housing security response guide |
| Student response |
| Grab and Go Kit |
| It is always good to be prepared |
Enhanced cleaning procedures
Enhanced cleaning procedures are being undertaken throughout the college, and a new disinfecting cleaning solution is being used. Information on the cleaning solution is available here: Safety Data Sheet
For a demonstration of the equipment please view this YouTube video.
What is COVID-19
Coronavirus can cause respiratory illness in people, ranging from mild common colds to severe illnesses. Symptoms are similar to influenza and include fever, cough, extreme tiredness, and difficulty breathing. In some cases, COVID-19 can cause more severe symptoms.
Studies suggest that the virus generally only lasts a few hours on a surface, though it may be possible for it to last several days under ideal conditions. While there is person-to-person spread, current evidence indicates the virus is not airborne through long distances or times.
What Keyano is Doing
Keyano College has formed an internal response team to prepare for operational contingencies. Additional prevention measures are being taken, including enhanced cleaning procedures for all offices and common areas within the College.
On March 15, the College followed the direction of Alberta Health Services and cancelled all face-to-face classes. Four days later, blended delivery of courses began. The College transitioned each course, where feasible, by building pathways for learning using virtual tools.
College administrators report the transition has proceeded well.
The College has also launched the SchoolMessenger system to directly and effectively communicate with employees, students, and lease holders.
Prevention
To protect yourself and others, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer is asking Albertans to:
- use good hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing
- cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sneeze or cough into your elbow
- dispose of tissues properly
- avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
- clean frequently touched surfaces regularly
- stay at home and away from others if you are feeling ill
- contact your primary health provider or Health Link 811 if you have questions or concerns about your health
AHS Advice
If you have COVID-19 symptoms and have travelled outside Canada or were exposed to someone who has the virus, stay home and call Health Link 811 for instructions.
Do not go to a health care facility without consulting 811 first.
For up-to-date information on the situation within Alberta, visit the Government of Alberta's or Alberta Health Services websites.
GoA COVID-19 Information AHS COVID-19 Information
If you have any questions, please email our Digital Communications Coordinator.