Feb 1, 2022

We hope you are settling into the routine of a new semester and remain healthy. At the end of last week, the Ministry of Advanced Skills and Training's COVID-19 Return-to-Campus Guidelines (January 28, 2022) were updated with some changes highlighted below.

We understand that these are challenging times and that there are different levels of comfort with the current restrictions and/or health and safety protocols and guidelines. Please continue to practice understanding as we follow the directions of provincial health and safety authorities for our community. 

If you are uncomfortable with the gradual loosening of restrictions, please remember the most effective layers of protection are within your control:

  • Get vaccinated if you are able
  • Allow others to stay home when sick and do so yourself
  • Wear a mask 

Reporting of COVID-19 Cases & Contact Tracing 

With the evolution of the public health approach and the implementation of vaccines, as indicated in the BCCDC Return to Campus Guidelines, contact tracing is no longer an effective public health intervention for control of COVID-19 in the community. As we revise our own infectious disease protocol with the direction of the health authorities, we are no longer required to provide a channel for the reporting of COVID-19 cases at the College.  At this point in time, we are reminded that:

“Post-secondary institutions are not responsible for contact tracing, and should not provide notifications to faculty, staff, or students about potential or confirmed communicable diseases cases (including COVID-19) unless requested to do so by the local Medical Health Officer.” 

If you test positive for COVID-19, please self-report to https://reportcovidresults.bccdc.ca and complete the form; there is no requirement to report further within the College. The information will be held and monitored by Public Health.  For more information, please refer to the BCCDC Return to Campus Public Health Guidance (January 25, 2022). 
Vaccination Clinic Delayed 

The vaccination clinic originally scheduled for February 7-11 has been delayed as Vancouver Coastal Health redirects resources to higher priority areas. While we continue to plan for an on-campus vaccination clinic, there are other locations that you can go to receive your vaccination. Should you wish to get the vaccine, this week there is a vaccination clinic at the Marpole Oakridge Community Centre from January 31 - February 4, 9:00 am – 7:00 pm. We would encourage those that wish to and are eligible to book an appointment. 
Rapid test kits 

While the province has made an announcement of the provision of rapid test kits to post-secondary institutions, we are still awaiting details and will let you know when we know more. 

As always, your feedback and questions can be sent to us at returntocampus@langara.ca. Our updates for students can be found on our website: https://langara.ca/news-and-events/covid-19/index.html