COVID-19 Information

 

UPDATED CAMPUS MASKING REQUIREMENTS (16-Aug-2021)

• Masks are mandatory in classrooms and labs.

• Masks are mandatory in any indoor gatherings of 20 or more people. 

• Masks are strongly recommended in common spaces, including hallways and meeting/group areas. 

• If you are not fully vaccinated, masks are strongly recommended in all areas on campus.

• If you are working/learning alone in an office or similar space, you do not need to wear a mask.

 

COVID Isolation Guidelines - flowchart outlining symptomatic and asymptomatic isolation requirements 

---

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 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 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. 

---

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

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 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 if required depending on the activity or environment.
• Be courteous: wupport and respect the choices of others, and maintain a respectful distance. Choose your time in high-traffic areas based on personal comfort.
• 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.
• 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.