COVID-19 Update for October 8: Additional health measures in place for Edmonton Zone
Posted: Oct 8, 2020 5:12 PM
| Updated: Oct 8, 2020 5:31 PM
Today, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health announced 3 additional voluntary public health measures for the Edmonton zone to help bring down the level of transmission of COVID-19.
These measures, which come into effect today, are:
- Keep family and social gatherings small – no more than 15 people. This does not impact schools or other formal gatherings where an organizer is ensuring all COVID-19 guidelines are 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 number of cohorts to no more than 3, including 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 are being put in place to address the rise in cases in the city, which are attributed, in part, to people with symptoms who continue to go to work and attend social gatherings while awaiting test results.
This latest 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 while waiting for results.
Doing these things will help prevent a second wave and limit the spread of COVID-19. It 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.
As always, NAIT evaluates all recommendations and measures as they come forward to determine whether our on-campus operations require any adjustments. NAIT’s current safety measures align with these recommendations. If further adjustments are required, you will be informed.
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 staying home and 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 leave for 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, 6 individuals on Main Campus have tested positive for COVID-19. Each of these cases has been isolated, and because safety protocols are being followed, the risk to our community has been low. There is no evidence of on-campus transmission.
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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