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Campus health and safety | Voluntary rapid testing | Student information | Employee information | Travel
This information is current as of March 2023.
Please visit this page on a regular basis, as information and measures can change.
Stay home if ill/symptomatic
One of the best ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19 is to stay home if you’re feeling unwell or symptomatic. The province is now in Step 3 of its response to COVID-19 and has removed remaining health measures. While the requirement to isolate when symptomatic or ill with COVID-19 is lifted, the province recommends that the practice continue.
Mount Royal strongly recommends that University students, staff and visitors do not come to campus if they are symptomatic or ill with COVID-19 or any other communicable illness. Staying home contributes to creating the safest environment possible for colleagues, students and members of the Mount Royal community.
Students are encouraged to complete the MRU Student Illness Report Form if they are experiencing symptoms and/or test positive for COVID-19 or have another illness. Students, let your instructors know your situation.
Employees are encouraged to complete the self-isolation/case report form when experiencing symptoms/testing positive. Please work with your supervisor/manager to determine if you are able to work from home or to discuss the appropriate leave as per the Collective Agreement or Terms and Conditions of your employment. Learn more.
Submitting these reports allows the University to monitor and respond as needed to the situation on campus.
Alberta Health Services recommends that people should stay home and isolate for at least five days from first having symptoms of COVID-19 or had a positive test (if no symptoms present). Keep isolating until symptoms have improved and fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication. Learn more.
If you test negative on a COVID-19 test and continue to have symptoms, you should stay home and away from others until your symptoms have improved, you feel well enough to resume normal activities, and have been free of fever for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
Wear a mask
Mount Royal recommends that everyone wear a mask consistent with AHS guidelines while indoors on campus. Wearing a triple-layer mask, a three-layered surgical mask or an N95 mask is an important contribution to the collective safety of the campus community.
Continuing to respect and support people’s decision to wear a mask is supported and encouraged.
Continuous masking should be followed for up to five days following voluntary isolation due to COVID infection (10 days since symptoms started).
Please note, masks are still required for the following:
- Wellness Services on campus, as their operations follow directives from Alberta Health Services (AHS).
- In specific clinics, labs and classrooms where masks are standard personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Students completing practicums, work terms, etc. may be subject to additional requirements by their employer (e.g. AHS).
Student and employees can pick up a box of rated-surgical masks at the checkout at the Cougars Campus Store. Show your OneCard to receive a box, which should last approximately 45 working days. If supplies last, you can then pick up a new box.
Ventilation
At Mount Royal, indoor air is filtered at the maximum highest commercial level and MERV-13 (the level recommended by health authorities). Watch this short video on how the University’s HVAC system works to keep the indoor air as clean as possible.
Vaccination
If you haven’t done so yet, please consider getting a booster for added protection. Everyone 18 years and older can get a fourth dose five months after their third dose. Learn more. Boosters of the bivalent vaccine are available at Wyckham Pharmacy on the Mount Royal campus. Drop-in boosters and vaccinations are available at Wyckham Pharmacy until one hour before closing. Learn more.
Hygiene
Practise proper hand hygiene and wash your hands frequently. Clean common areas and surfaces on a regular basis. Cough or sneeze into your elbow.
The University is providing voluntary rapid testing to support our collective efforts to create a safer environment for everyone. This additional layer of protection for our on-campus community is available to students, employees and contractors. Testing for those without symptoms is available as supplies allow. Show your OneCard to access rapid tests in the Cougars Campus Store during operating hours.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive while not on campus, we strongly recommend that you stay home.
Students are strongly encouraged to stay home when ill and complete the MRU Student Illness Report Form if they are experiencing symptoms and/or test positive for COVID-19 or have another illness. The Report Form will provide students with a record of their illness that they can share with their instructors in navigating academic impacts their absence may cause. It also allows the University to monitor and respond as needed to the situation on campus. If greater issues or concerns arise due to illness, students and faculty can also access Early Support as needed.
See the FAQ page for more information.
All members of the Mount Royal community contribute to the on-campus experience. It is the shared responsibility of the employer and employee to mitigate workplace hazards, which includes respiratory illnesses.
- Employees who are experiencing symptoms/testing positive are encouraged to complete the Employee COVID Self-Isolation Report Form. Please do so even if you are working remotely. Visit Human Resources and COVID-19 for more information.
- Everyone has different comfort levels. Please be respectful of others and book a meeting space larger than what is minimally required.
- Safety and cleaning supplies request form
Faculty and instructors
These resources may be useful to instructors for alternative delivery:
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact some aspects of travel. MRU faculty, staff, and students travelling internationally are encouraged to regularly check the institution’s travel guidelines, as well as all applicable international, federal, and local travel measures. Travellers should also have contingency plans in place should they become ill during travels or experience extended delays.