COVID-19 Information

COVID Isolation Guidelines - flowchart outlining symptomatic and asymptomatic isolation requirements 

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Human Resources (HR) oversees the management of self-isolation and quarantine requirements related to COVID-19.

Within HR, Wellness at Work (formerly Ability Management) liaises with employees to discuss isolation or quarantine requirements and provide information about leave options, if applicable. Wellness at Work also advises leaders when employees are able to return to work on campus. Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) helps with contact tracing and arranges for additional cleaning of campus spaces where required as shown in this flowchart.

Please refer to the following scenarios to guide your actions if you are notified of a possible or confirmed case in the campus community.

Employees

Self-isolating, symptomatic and COVID-positive employees

What do I do if an employee is self-isolating due to possible exposure to COVID-19?

• If the employee works on campus and cannot do their job from home, have them complete the Employee Self-Isolation / Symptomatic / Positive Case report form. Wellness at Work (formerly Ability Management) (Human Resources) will be in contact with the employee to discuss quarantine requirements and provide information about leave options.
• If the employee typically works from home and is able to continue to work from home, the employee does not need to complete the self-isolation report form unless symptoms develop and/or they test positive for COVID-19.

I am a manager with an employee who has symptoms and is awaiting a test result. What do I do?

• If the employee has been on campus (or in an off-campus, in-person University activity) in the previous 14 days:
  • Have them complete the Employee Self-Isolation / Symptomatic / Positive Case report form. This notifies Wellness at Work in HR, who will be in contact with the employee to discuss isolation requirements and to provide information about leave options.
  • Wellness at Work will advise when the employee is able to return to work on campus.  If the employee is able to work from home, they can continue to do so.
• If the employee has not been on campus:
  • The employee should continue to work from home if well enough to do so. Otherwise, ask them to complete the Employee Self-Isolation / Symptomatic / Positive Case report form.

What do I do if an employee is well enough to work but can’t do their job from home?

Have them complete the Employee Self-Isolation / Symptomatic / Positive Case report form. Wellness at Work will be in contact to provide information about leave options.

What do I do if an employee is not well enough to work?

If an employee who is symptomatic or COVID-positive is not able to work, have them complete the Employee Self-Isolation / Symptomatic / Positive Case report form. Wellness at Work will be in contact to discuss leave options.

I am a manager with an employee who has tested positive. What do I do?

If the employee has been on campus (or in an off-campus, in-person University activity) in the previous 14 days:

• Ensure they have completed the Employee Self-Isolation / Symptomatic / Positive Case report form. This notifies Wellness at Work, who will be in contact with the employee to discuss isolation requirements and to provide information about leave options. The form also notifies Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S), who will ask the employee where they were on campus to determine if additional cleaning is required. EH&S will also help the employee identify any MRU close contacts.
• Wellness at Work will advise when the employee is able to return to work on campus.

• If the employee has not been on campus:
  • Ensure they have completed the Employee Self-Isolation / Symptomatic / Positive Case report form. This notifies Wellness at Work, who will be in contact with the employee to discuss benefit and leave options.

• What do I do if an employee notifies me that they have symptoms, then later tests positive?
  • Please remind the employee to notify Heidi Peterson in Wellness at Work of their test result (hpeterson@mtroyal.ca). EHS will then be contacted to conduct contact tracing and to arrange for additional cleaning as required.

Students

Self-isolating, symptomatic and COVID-positive students

Do I need to report a student who is isolating but healthy?

No, the University does not need to have that information.

I am an instructor with a student who has symptoms and is awaiting a test result. What do I do?

• If the student has been on campus or in an off-campus MRU-related group activity (e.g., practicums, clinics, field schools, varsity athletics, labs) in the previous 14 days, the instructor must complete the Symptomatic Student report form. This form notifies Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S), who will monitor for multiple, related cases on campus and report to AHS as required.
• If the student has not been on campus or in an off-campus MRU-related group activity in the previous 14 days, no reporting is required.

I am an instructor with a student who has tested positive. What do I do?

• If the student has been on campus or in a group activity in the previous 14 days, the instructor must complete the Symptomatic Student report form if they have not already done so. EH&S will contact the student for contact tracing and determine if additional cleaning of campus spaces is required. EH&S will also monitor for multiple, related cases on campus and report to AHS as required.
• If the student has not been on campus or in a group activity, no reporting is required.

What do I do if a student notifies me that they have symptoms, then later tests positive?

Notify EH&S (EHS@mtroyal.ca) of the student’s test results. EH&S will follow up with the student for contact tracing and to arrange for additional cleaning as required.</p)

What do I need to do if the student is not well enough to participate in the class?

Treat this like any other instance in which a student is off due to medical reasons. Provide them with guidance on how to keep up / catch up with their studies.

Masks are mandatory in all indoor public spaces at all times

Anyone coming to campus must wear a mask or face covering at all times when others are present (in private and public spaces), unless alone in a room where a door can be closed. This applies to students, employees, contractors and visitors. A plexiglass barrier is not a substitute for walls and a closed door.

Wear a mask or face covering outdoors if you cannot maintain a 2 metre distance from others.

Please bring your own mask. Review how to safely don a mask.

Employees who have concerns about the safety of wearing a mask during a particular activity should contact Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) for advice at ehs@mtroyal.ca. Employees who require a medical exemption should contact wellnessatwork@mtroyal.ca.

Students who require a medical exemption should contact accessibility@mtroyal.ca.

Thank you for your cooperation. 

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Environmental, Health and Safety continues to work with other areas on campus to monitor the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and take appropriate precautions to limit the impact to our campus community. Alberta Health Services continues to reinforce the ways to reduce the risk of respiratory illnesses, including influenza (the flu) and COVID-19:

• Wash your hands often and well
• Avoid touching your face, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched
• Stay at home and away from others if you are feeling ill
• When sick, cover your cough and sneezes and then wash your hands

 Safe Use of Shared Spaces poster

How do I make sure my workplace at home is ergonomically correct?

When you are working from home remember to take frequent breaks and move around often. You can also take virtual breaks with your colleagues. You can refer to this self assessment form. If you need to raise up your monitor or keyboard, you can always use boxes or other household items to create a comfortable elevation. You can also contact the Environmental Health & Safety Office at EHS@mtroyal.ca or 403.440.6038 for assistance.

How can I keep safe if I need to do my job on campus?

Please discuss with your supervisor ways to keep safe while you are on campus. Depending upon your role, there may be an option for flexible working arrangements to support physical distancing. Activities that have stopped include:

• work in small specialized spaces.
• use of equipment that cannot easily be sanitized.
• studio work that requires students to create physical projects on-campus.

As well, enhanced cleaning protocols that meet all Alberta Health Services’ pandemic standards are in place and Environmental Health and Safety is available to assist.

Additional information can be found on the EH&S Documents & Resources webpage. 

What if I am supposed to work on campus but am afraid of getting COVID-19?

If you are doing one of the key functions required on campus and are concerned, inform your supervisor of your concern and they will discuss with Human Resources and Environmental Health and Safety on a case-by-case basis. Regular leave types and associated approval processes are available. An unpaid leave of absence can also be requested. Sick time and short-term disability leave are only for those instances where an employee is ill or meets Alberta Health Services self-isolation requirements and is unable to work from home.

What are my rights with regards to refusal of unsafe work during COVID-19?

The Right to Refuse Dangerous Work is a component of the Occupational Health and Safety Act of Alberta. You can review the legislation online here. The MRU Unsafe Work Refusal procedure can be found here.

Employees have a right to refuse unsafe work, but it must be based on a reasonable assessment of the risk. What is considered 'reasonable' and who defines this?

It is defined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act of Alberta.

What safety protocols are expected from people when they are on campus?

It is expected people will:

• Wear a mask or face covering in all indoor public spaces on campus at all times when others are present (in private and public spaces), unless alone in a room where a door can be closed.
• Wear a mask or face covering outdoors if you cannot maintain a 2-metre distance from others.
• Disinfect your hands with sanitizer upon entering the building.
• Wash your hands frequently and for a minimum of 20 seconds (or apply hand sanitizer), particularly if you have touched items in public or common areas.
• Avoid touching your face, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Practise physical distancing when on campus, staying a minimum of two metres from others.
• Limit interactions on campus by visiting only the areas that you need to go to (e.g. work area, nearest washroom, etc.).
• Stay at home and away from others if you feel unwell, and avoid close contact with others who are sick.

What cleaning protocols are being used on campus?

Cleaning practices and protocols have been enhanced following the Alberta Health Services’ guidelines and including prioritizing high-touch and high-traffic areas.

Additional details are available here.

How do I obtain additional safety or cleaning supplies for my work space on campus?

Safety and cleaning supplies such as hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and reusable and disposable masks are available for employees working on campus. To request supplies for your area, please complete the Safety and Cleaning Supplies Request form, and someone from the EH&S team will be in touch.

Why are all the water fountains covered and out of use?

As part of our enhanced cleaning and safety efforts, all water fountains on campus are covered and out of use. Water bottle fill stations will remain open and cleaned at increased intervals. Please continue to practise good hygiene prior to using these stations and avoid touching your water bottle to the fill station.