The wellbeing of our students and employees are at the centre of our decisions. The College is working together to make sure that we are able to respond to COVID-19 and ensure the safety of our community.

Don’t forget to check out our Mental Health & Well-being page to see the supports available to you. 

Health resources:

Important to note:

  • If you are concerned that you, or someone you have been exposed to, may be experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, please stay home and self-isolate for 14 days. COVID-19 presents as a mild illness in the majority of patients; testing is not recommended for those who have mild respiratory symptoms.
  • The BC Centre for Disease Control has a self-assessment tool that you can assess symptoms. If symptoms worsen, please call 8-1-1 or your health care provider.
  • The province has created a phone service to provide non-medical information about COVID-19, including the latest information on travel recommendations and social distancing. Information is available in more than 110 languages, 7:30 am–8:00 pm at 1.888.COVID19 (1.888.268.4319) or via text message at 604.630.0300.
Do I need to wear a mask?

Please note that mask guidelines will change over the next few months in accordance with the BC Restart Plan. Please see Our Campus Restart Plan for more information.

 

September 7 update

Instructors and other presenters do not need to wear a mask when behind a barrier or two metres away from students while teaching in indoor public spaces

 

August 25 update

Masks are mandatory in indoor public spaces. You can learn more about masks in public indoor settings on the BC Govt site. Please note: mask wearing does not exempt you from maintaining careful social contact. 

Forgot your mask? You can request a disposable mask from key locations on campus. See "I forgot my mask" FAQ for a list of locations.

In accordance with the PHO, there are exemptions for:

  • People with health conditions or with physical, cognitive or mental impairments who cannot wear one
  • People who cannot remove a mask on their own
  • Children under the age of 5
  • People who need to remove their masks to communicate due to another person's hearing impairment

A face shield is not a substitute for a mask as it has an opening below the mouth.

 

We thank you again for doing your part in helping to keep our community safe. You can learn more about masks from the BCCDC.

I forgot my mask. What should I do?
Individuals are expected to bring their own non-medical mask each day. However, if you have forgotten your mask, you may request a disposable mask from the following locations on campus: 
  • Continuing Studies reception
  • Engagement (Info) Kiosk
  • The Hub
  • Langara Global
  • Library
  • Mailroom
  • Security
  • Registrar & Enrolment Services

Please dispose of your used disposable mask responsibly by placing in one of our cardboard mask recycling bins around campus. 
What has been done to improve ventilation to reduce airborne exposure to COVID-19?
Facilities continues to maintain buildings in alignment with WorkSafeBC and the Provincial Health Officer requirements, which includes air quality monitoring as one component of our health and safety plan; we will adjust operations should there be a change in direction based on emerging circumstances or new information.
We are closely following guidelines as set out in the COVID-19 Return to Campus Primer:  
“Institutions should ensure that building ventilation (HVAC) systems are operating and maintained in accordance with WorkSafeBC requirements and relevant ASHRAE* Standards for indoor air quality”
Our current air filter systems meet minimum MERV 13** rating as recommended by the ASHRAE. MERV 13 filters provide a high rate of efficiency for filtering smaller virus particles, such COVID-19, carried through respiratory droplets and droplet nuclei (dried respiratory droplets). Our HVAC systems ensure that filtered air-exchange is performed, providing clean air within buildings, and do not rely on windows for fresh air and to effectively filter particles from the air.
Buildings are regularly maintained for optimal performance, such as the $2.2 million ventilation fan system upgrade in A Building in 2018. Filters are replaced on a regular schedule. Buildings have also been set up with a morning pre-flush to further increase air-exchanges in spaces. 
Our building control systems allow monitoring in real-time; CO2 concentrations in many spaces have been reviewed to confirm high levels of fresh air inside. Fresh air has been increased in all buildings, balancing increased ventilation rates, efficiency and comfort impacts.
Langara's health & safety plan uses layered approach which includes increasing fresh air and filtration as noted above, physical distancing, wearing face masks, hand hygiene and vaccination.  
As part of our planning for Fall Semester 2021, our engineering team is working with consultants to do a secondary review of our mechanical systems to see if any further measures are required before we come back to campus at full occupancy. 
*American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
**MERV = Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value  
What do I do if I am higher risk for getting sick, or someone I live with is higher risk?

Please talk to your instructors about making alternate arrangements for exceptional circumstances. If you are sick, contact your instructors to notify them of the situation and stay home. 
The College is following directions from the direction of the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority and the BC Centre of Disease Control. If you have symptoms, we are asking that you self-isolated and get medical advice. 

  • Call 8-1-1 to speak with a nurse. Please note that there may be a long wait to get through. The BC Centre for Disease Control now has a self-assessment tool.
  • The province has created a phone service to provide non-medical info about COVID-19, including the latest information on travel recommendations and social distancing. Information is available in more than 110 languages, 7:30 am–8:00 pm at 1-888-COVID19 or text at 1-888-268-4319.
What can I do to stay healthy and prevent the spread of infections?

The College closely follows health and safety measures as outlined by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) and Vancouver Costal Health Authority (VCH). These messages are shared on our website, social media, and additional signage around campus.

 

Mask Mandate 
On August 25, the PHO released the detailed order on face coverings (pdf). Masks must be worn in all indoor public spaces on campus including classrooms and hallways, so please be sure to bring a mask with you to campus each day. A supply of disposable masks will be available in case you forget. More details about the mask requirement are on our website. For those of you coming to campus by transit, a reminder that you will also need a mask to ride buses, Skytrains, or Seabuses.

 

Daily Health Check 
Please be sure to monitor your health using the BC Thrive Self-Assessment Tool, and if you are sick, do not come to campus; stay home and get tested.

 

Proof of Vaccination 
Vaccination protects against COVID-19 infection, serious outcomes, and sustained transmission. Full vaccination offers high levels of protection against infection, including  COVID-19 variants. We encourage everyone who can to get vaccinated if they haven’t already.  

 

 

For the latest health updates, including information on risk and prevention of COVID-19, please visit the BCCDC website or VCH website. 

I have cold/flu symptoms, but I haven’t travelled recently, or been in contact with anyone. What should I do?

Information is available at HealthLink BC including advice on how best to treat cold/flu symptoms.

  • Start your self-isolation right away if you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19. The length of time you will need to self-isolate depends on your situation and test results. Continue to self-isolate until you get your test results and then follow the self-isolation period recommended for your result.
  • The province has created a phone service to provide non-medical info about COVID-19, including the latest information on travel recommendations and social distancing. Information is available in more than 110 languages, 7:30 am–8 pm at 1-888-COVID19 or text at 1-888-268-4319. The BC Centre for Disease Control now has a self-assessment tool.
What should I do if I test positive for COVID-19?

Students: Please email your instructor and follow directions from your primary care provider. Employees and contractors: Please email your manager and follow directions from your primary care provider. Employees can also learn more by viewing our COVID-19 Employee FAQs.

 
Does the College have a communicable disease plan?
​The College has developed a ​Communicable Disease Plan​ to support the health and safety of College staff, faculty and students. The Plan provides information to stop or reduce the spread of a communicable disease and respond to an emergency if one occurs.  
​
How is the College cleaning / disinfecting areas?

As part of the College’s communicable disease plan, we have established a cleaning / sanitization strategy to ensure that all open facilities, counters, equipment, etc., are regularly and thoroughly cleaned. High-touch contact points, such as computer equipment, are cleaned more frequently. All disinfectants and cleaning supplies are approved and recommended by Health Canada.    

If you notice that we are out of soap, hand towels, or hand sanitizer, or that an area requires cleaning, please email facilities@langara.ca.