COVID-19 Update for Oct. 22: 7 things to do to meet NAIT’s Nov. 8 vaccine deadline
Posted: Oct 22, 2021 9:07 AM
| Updated: Mar 10, 2022 1:47 PM
As of Monday, November 8, everyone coming to campus will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved accommodation.
Vaccination is the single most effective public heath measure to reduce the spread of COVID-19. It’s an essential part of keeping everyone on campus healthy and safe. NAIT’s vaccine policy will play a key role in helping classes continue without disruption and making sure that students are successful.
To make that happen, here are the 7 things you need to do to meet our vaccine policy.
1. Get your second dose on or before October 24
You will be considered fully vaccinated 14 days after a second dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine. That means it needs to be received on or before October 24.
NAIT will reasonably accommodate students and staff who cannot receive a COVID-19 vaccine on protected grounds covered by the Alberta Human Rights Act. Given the time required to review accommodation requests, those requests should have already been initiated. If your accommodation request is denied, you will not be granted an extension to the November 8 deadline to become fully vaccinated.
2. Upload proof to NAIT Alert
Once you have your vaccination record, verify it using the NAIT Alert app. Sign in with your NAIT email and, if approved, you’ll receive a green QR code within 48 hours (that is, don’t do this the night before you need to be on campus).
Also use the app if you’re submitting a negative test result as part of an approved accommodation. In this case, that green QR code is good for 72 hours from the date of the test.
3. Make time to show proof
NAIT Protective Services is rotating throughout campus entrances to check green QR codes in NAIT Alert. Give yourself extra time to open the app should you meet an officer on your way inside. You may also be asked for proof of vaccination or accommodation when entering a class, lab or shop.
4. Expect to wear a mask and physically distance
Vaccinated members of the campus community still need to wear masks indoors now, and after November 8. Physical distancing will be required in common areas but not in learning spaces. Most classes that temporarily shifted online mid-September will be able to return to campus after November 8.
Also after November 8, students and staff may sit with non-family members in cafeterias (though groups are limited to 6).
5. There are consequences for non-compliance
For those who are not getting vaccinated, there are unavoidable consequences. For students, those include withdrawal without refund, which is noted on an academic record. Staff will be placed on unpaid leave of absence, the duration to be determined by NAIT. When that leave ends, the staff member’s employment status will be reviewed and termination might follow.
6. Stay informed
Since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020, NAIT has adapted, modifying our approach as needed to keep the risk of COVID-19 transmission on campus low. We continue to assess emerging information and circumstances and respond as best we can.
Throughout, we have committed to keeping our community informed of developments. At any time, look for the latest news and guidance at nait.ca/covid19.
7. Be mindful of the power of cooperation and kindness
Already, we can see that you want to make NAIT as safe and healthy as possible. As of October 20, roughly 7,500 students have uploaded proof of vaccination or a negative test result to NAIT Alert.
We are grateful for the cooperation, and for the support that so many staff and students have shown to the polytechnic and to each other, ensuring everyone is allowed to continue to pursue their own vision of success. Strong public health guidelines will help keep campus functioning as it should. Kindness will make it a community.
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