COVID-19 Update for October 26: Update on health measures in place for Edmonton Zone


Posted: Oct 26, 2020 5:48 PM

COVID-19 Update for October 26: Update on health measures in place for Edmonton Zone

Posted: Oct 26, 2020 5:48 PM   |  Updated: Oct 26, 2020 5:52 PM

Today, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health announced 1 new mandatory public health measure for the City of Edmonton, along with the continuation of voluntary measures in the Edmonton Zone to help bring down the level of transmission of COVID-19.

Effective immediately, there is a mandatory 15-person limit on social and family gatherings where people are mixing and mingling, including parties, banquets and special event celebrations. This does not impact schools or other structured events where socializing is not the purpose of the activity and COVID-19 guidelines are in place.

The following voluntary measures remain in place:

  • Masks should be worn in all indoor work settings, except when alone in a workspace such as a cubicle or office where you can safely distance from others, or where an appropriate barrier is in place. 
  • Limit your cohorts to no more than 3, including your core household, school, and 1 other social or sport cohort. Young children who attend childcare could be part of 4 cohorts, given childcare settings have not been a high risk for spread. 

These measures have been put in place to help slow the spread of COVID-19, to protect the most vulnerable members of our community, and to ensure the health system can continue to meet the health needs of all Albertans.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, urges Albertans to respect COVID-19 by taking public health advice seriously and taking care of not only ourselves, but our communities, by preventing transmission.

NAIT’s current safety measures align with these recommendations. If further adjustments are required, you will be informed.

This announcement is an important reminder that we must continue to keep our community safe by following NAIT’s enhanced safety measures, as well as provincial direction to stay home when sick, get tested, and follow mandatory isolation requirements.

Doing these things will help us keep our classmates, colleagues and families safe. It will help us keep our doors open. Simply put, coming to campus with symptoms puts others at risk and may lead to further disruption. 
 

Stay home

Screening for illness is an essential part of NAIT’s strategy to slow the spread of COVID-19. We remind you to take the Alberta Health Services COVID-19 Self-Assessment each day before you come to campus or if you become sick, and to follow instructions from Alberta Health Services.

Do not come to campus if you are unwell or if you are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Self-isolate and get tested for COVID-19 if advised by Alberta Health Services. Stay home until your symptoms resolve, even if you have tested negative for COVID-19. If you have symptoms or test positive for COVID-19, report it to NAIT Health Services.

We know that some of you worry about the consequences of missing a shop or lab or work when you are sick or required to self-isolate. NAIT’s value of support has never been more important. Please know that we will support you through your absence. 

  • Students: your program will support you in making up missed labs and assignments. Please let your program know if you are sick and/or if you are told to self-isolate.
  • Staff: If you do not already work from home, temporary remote work options will be considered first. If this is not possible due to the nature of your job or because you are sick, you can access your general illness leavefor the duration of your absence. Staff who are not eligible for paid leave may be able to receive support through the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit.


Stay safe 

We have put in place enhanced measures to keep our community safe, including additional cleaning and sanitation, and have a rapid response plan to respond to cases of COVID-19 at NAIT. 

Since the start of the academic year, 17 individuals on Main Campus have tested positive for COVID-19. Because safety protocols are being followed, the risk to our community has been low.

Active cases of COVID-19 at NAIT are reported on the Active Case Dashboard. Anyone who may have been in close contact with an individual who tests positive for COVID-19 will be contacted directly and will be advised to conduct the COVID-19 self-assessment and book a test.

Preventing the spread of COVID-19, both on and off campus, is a shared responsibility. We all have to do our part to lower transmission in Edmonton and keep the risk of transmission on our campuses low.

Please only come to campus for your scheduled activity and leave immediately after. 

When on campus, remember to: 

Stay informed

You can find the latest information on NAIT’s response to COVID-19 at nait.ca/relaunch. If you have any questions, email relaunch@nait.ca.

Thank you for doing your part to keep our community safe and our doors open.

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