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Campus health and safety | Student information | Employee information | Travel
This information is current as of May 1, 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. 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. Submitting this report allows the University to monitor and respond as needed to the situation on campus.
Employees, if you are 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.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) advises those with symptoms or who test positive to stay home until all symptoms have improved, they feel well enough to resume normal activities, and they have been fever-free for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medications.
Anyone who has respiratory virus symptoms is recommended to wear a mask for a total of 10 days from the onset of symptoms (even if the symptoms have resolved or improved) when in indoor settings with others. 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.
Wearing a mask
Masks are available at the Cougars Campus Store for employees and students. Masking is still encouraged for those who wish to continue with this form of mitigation. Pick up a box of rated-surgical masks by showing your OneCard. Continuing to respect and support people’s decision to wear a mask is supported and encouraged.
Continuous masking should be followed for a total of 10 days from the onset of symptoms.
Please note, masks are still required for the following:
- Wellness Services on campus, as their operations follow directives from AHS. (Masks are not required in counselling or the Injury & Prevention Clinic.)
- 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).
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. 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.
Voluntary rapid testing
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.
- If you are sick, please stay home. It is the best way to limit the spread of illness in the Mount Royal community.
- If you feel able to work from home while ill, please work with your supervisor/manager to determine your ability to do so.
- If you are unable to work, discuss the appropriate leave as per the Collective Agreement or Terms and Conditions of your employment with your supervisor/manager.
- Everyone has different comfort levels. Please be respectful of others.
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.