Updated Nov. 28, 2022:

You may be aware that cases of influenza, COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses are increasing in many places across North America. As the academic term comes to a close, we would like to share with you updated BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) recommendations and remind you of the steps you can take to keep yourself and our campus healthy and safe during the winter cold and flu season.

IF YOU'RE SICK, PLEASE STAY HOME
Please help keep our community healthy by staying home when you're not feeling well.

Always do a daily health assessment (https://covidcheck.gov.bc.ca/) before coming to campus, and let your instructor or supervisor know about any absences.

CHANGES TO BCCDC RECOMMENDATIONS ON SELF-ISOLATION    
As of Nov. 17, 2022, people who have COVID-19 are no longer required to self-isolate for a defined period of time. If you have symptoms and/or test positive for COVID-19, you should stay home until your fever is gone, without the use of medications, and you feel well enough to participate in daily activities.

ACADEMIC CONCESSIONS
Request an academic concession or deferral if you have to miss an exam or are unable to complete coursework due to unexpected and unavoidable circumstances.

MASKS
We encourage you to wear a mask in indoor public spaces, particularly if you are close to others or feel more comfortable doing so. Masks are required in some healthcare settings, such as the Student Wellness Centre.

VACCINATION
Getting vaccinated has been consistently proven to reduce the severe outcomes of COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccine (http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/covid-19-vaccine ) is available to everyone 5+ who lives or works in BC. Vaccination against influenza is also strongly recommended.

HYGIENE PRACTICES
Hand washing continues to be one of the best ways to prevent the spread of viruses. Also cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

TEST KITS
COVID-19 rapid test kits are available at Campus Security, the UVic Bookstore and the Welcome Centre in the Jamie Cassels Centre. Please do not go to these locations if you have symptoms of COVID-19. You can send someone to pick up a kit on your behalf.

For more information, please visit the UVic COVID-19 website: https://www.uvic.ca/covid19/

Please continue to do your part to reduce transmission of illness on campus and help everyone have a safe and healthy winter season.

 

Sincerely,

Rob Johns
Manager, University of Victoria Emergency Planning and COVID-19 Lead

 

Updated Aug. 17, 2022:

As we look forward to welcoming new and returning students for the fall term, UVic is continuing to manage the evolving impacts of COVID-19 on our community. We remain committed to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all students, faculty and staff.

Here are a few reminders about the health and safety measures that continue to be in place on the UVic campus: 

  • Masks: We encourage you to wear a mask in indoor public spaces, particularly if you are close to others or feel more comfortable doing so. 
  • Vaccination: Vaccination remains the most effective means of protection against COVID-19. We encourage you to get your booster dose when you are eligible. In BC, booster doses are being offered to everyone 12+ in the fall: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/booster
  • Daily health assessment: Do a daily health assessment. If you're sick, stay home and follow public health guidelines. https://www.uvic.ca/covid19/
  • Rapid tests: Free rapid test kits are available at the UVic Bookstore and Campus Security Services for students, faculty and staff.

Additional campus safety measures

  • Campus building ventilation meets WorkSafeBC requirements
  • Hand sanitizer is available at all main building entrances.

UVic continues to follow all public health orders and the health and safety measures required by the Provincial Health Officer, including the public health guidance developed specifically for post-secondary institutions by the BC Centre for Disease Control. We continue to monitor and prepare for any changes that may occur as a result of COVID-19.

Please visit the COVID-19 website for more details and to learn about any updates on UVic's response to COVID-19: https://www.uvic.ca/covid19/

Thank you for supporting one another and for everything you do to keep our campus community healthy and safe.

 

Updated March 11, 2022:

The provincial health officer (PHO) announced today changes to the face covering mandate for BC, effective 12:01 am on March 11.

Masks are no longer required in indoor public spaces across the province.

While mask wearing will be a matter of personal choice, on campus we strongly encourage you to continue wearing a mask in indoor spaces where you may be in close proximity to others, or anywhere you feel more comfortable to do so. 

This change may feel sudden and unexpected. Please continue to be kind and compassionate as we navigate this change. As we move into this next phase of the pandemic response, it is essential that we all continue to be respectful of the personal choices that each individual may make regarding mask use and physical distance.

In the days to come, related signage on campus will be removed or updated.

We continue to adhere to all public health orders and implement all of the health and safety measures required by the PHO.

Please continue to follow public health guidance, including doing daily health checks and staying home if you are sick. Vaccination continues to provide the best protection from the more serious effects of COVID-19.

More information

Updated Jan. 13, 2022:

At the Division of Continuing Studies, we continue to adhere to and implement all public health orders and safety measures recommended by the Provincial Health Officer (PHO), which have kept our campus a low-risk setting for COVID-19 transmission. The PHO has provided further guidance for managing the emergence of the Omicron variant with a view to supporting schools to continue to safely provide in-person learning and teaching. Please be assured of our ongoing efforts to keep our campus facilities safe.

Updated Dec. 17, 2021:

UVic continues to manage the impacts of COVID-19 on our community. Vaccination is the most important thing you can do to protect yourself and others.

For more information, please visit:

Updated Nov. 15, 2021:

The university’s response to COVID-19 continues to evolve in accordance with public health guidance and orders. The university has fully implemented the core COVID-19 prevention measures recommended or required by public health for post-secondary institutions in BC. With these measures in place, the BC CDC continues to advise that post-secondary educational settings are low-risk settings for COVID-19 transmission, particularly in the context of a highly immunized population. 

Read UVic's full update: COVID-19 health and safety update

Updated Aug. 26, 2021:

President's statement on COVID-19 rapid testing and self-declaration

Updated Aug. 25, 2021:

Province introduces mask mandate for post-secondary institutions

The university continues to work closely with the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) and Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills (formerly called Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training) to support a safe return to campus.

On Aug. 24, in response to rising COVID-19 cases, the province introduced a new mask mandate for all people aged 12 and older in indoor public settings. On Aug. 23 the province announced the introduction of a proof-of-vaccine requirement (BC Vaccine Card) for BC citizens.

Masks

In accordance with the new province-wide restrictions, as of August 25 everyone must wear a mask at all times in public indoor settings and indoor common areas. These include:

  • elevators, lobbies, hallways, stairwells, bathrooms, break rooms, staff kitchens, libraries, coffee shops and retail outlets 
  • restaurants, pubs and bars when not seated at a table
  • sport and fitness centres when not engaged in physical activities
  • classrooms and labs

Additional details for mask requirements in classrooms and work areas (e.g. shared offices and meeting rooms) are still being developed.

Exemptions

There are also exemptions for people with underlying medical conditions that inhibit their ability to wear masks. A full list of exemptions and masking requirements will be published on the OHSE website as soon as available. 

Vaccinations

The BC government announced the BC Vaccine Card program on Aug. 23. The program comes into effect Sept. 13 and will require those over 12 to show proof of vaccination for admission to select activities and events, and for student dining and housing (beginning Sept. 7).

More details about how this program will impact campus services and activities will be announced soon. We are working with our ministry and our sector association to determine how best to extend the new BC Vaccine Card program for people who work on campus.

As current COVID-19 cases are largely among the unvaccinated, UVic continues to encourage students, staff and faculty to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19. We thank the vaccinated members of the campus community for protecting not only your own health and well-being, but others as well.

For additional infomation:

 

  • Posted August 17, 2022