Mar 13, 2020

PLEASE NOTE: We have moved our COVID-19 updates to this website, which has more information and FAQs. 

Update: Thursday, March 12, 2020

According to the BC Office of the Provincial Health Officer, the small number of cases of COVID-19 in B.C. are being very closely managed. Updated information regarding these cases can be found at bccdc.ca. The risk to British Columbians at this point remains low, and there are no known cases of COVID-19 at Langara at this time.

Anyone concerned that they may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of the novel coronavirus, should contact their primary care provider, local public health office, or call 8-1-1.

Public Health Agency of Canada has set up a 2019 novel coronavirus telephone information line at: 1-833-784-4397. If you are instructed to get tested, call the clinic you intend to visit ahead of time to ensure that staff and other patients are appropriately protected. Langara's Health Services clinic has a small number of testing kits.

As the areas affected by the outbreak change and we learn more about the virus, the Provincial Health Officer and BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) will provide updated public health recommendations. We are now aware that this virus can cause a range of mild to severe symptoms, and it is possible that people will not recognize symptoms that are mild. Given this new information, there are steps that people at risk of COVID-19 can take to reduce the chance of spread to others.

  • Students, faculty, staff or visitors should avoid all non-essential travel outside of Canada, including to the United States.
  • Anyone who has left Canada should self-isolate for 14 days, immediately on their return. They should monitor themselves daily for symptoms (fever, cough, muscle aches, difficulty breathing).

  • Students, faculty, staff or visitors who have been laboratory tested for COVID-19 should stay home or self-isolate in their residence/room alone, until their test results are known.

  • Students, faculty, staff or visitors who have been in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 by laboratory testing should stay home or self-isolate in their residence/room alone for 14 days after their last encounter. Individuals should monitor themselves daily for symptoms (fever, cough, muscle aches, difficulty breathing).

  • Event planners should cancel any gatherings larger than 250 people.

Those who develop symptoms during the 14-day monitoring period should immediately self-isolate (stay in a room that is not shared with anyone else) and call their health-care provider or the provincial health line 8-1-1 to discuss any need for testing and follow up.

There are measures that all students, faculty, and staff can take to help reduce the risk of respiratory illnesses such as coronavirus, colds, and influenza:

  • Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds using soap and water.

  • If a sink is not available, 60-90% alcohol-based hand rubs (hand sanitizer) can be used to clean hands if they are not visibly soiled. If they are visibly soiled, you can use an alcohol-based disposable hand wipe to remove the dirt and then use an alcohol-based hand rub.

  • Do not touch your face/eyes/mouth with unwashed hands.

  • When you sneeze or cough, cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue or the crease of 
your elbow, and then wash your hands.

  • Stay home when you are ill.

Travel Advice

Travel to countries with COVID-19 related active Level 3 (avoid non-essential travel) or active Level 3 travel advisories within them is not permitted for College business. Currently these include China, Italy, and Iran.

Outbound Travel

Travel to countries with COVID-19 related active Level 3 (avoid non-essential travel) or active Level 3 travel advisories within them is not permitted for College business.

In order to ensure the excellence of programming, interests of our students and staff, and the rapidly changing travel advisories, travel to countries with Level 2 COVID-19 (practice special precautions) related travel advisories will be considered on a case-by-case basis upon provision of a written risk evaluation and plan, that considers and provides for:

  • Adequate medical insurance for all participants in the event of illness while abroad

  • Continuity of care for staff and participants in the event that one or all leaders become ill

  • Alternate arrangements for the provision of curriculum in the event of closure of planned venues

  • Alternate arrangements for the repatriation of participants in the event of illness

  • Inbound conditions of travel as below

Travel to countries that do not have an Active level 3 occurrence and areas under Level 2 advisories is permitted at this point in time, however travelers should be aware that travel advisories may change on a day-to-day basis. They are responsible for checking the travel advisories daily.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) actively seeks to identify and evaluate information about new, unusual, or rapidly evolving health risks. When necessary, PHAC releases Travel Health Notices outlining the potential risks to Canadian travelers and to the Canadian public, and recommends measures that can be taken to help reduce these risks.

In addition, the Provincial Health Officer has provided this letter regarding spring break travel.

Information Updates

The latest information on the outbreak is available on the BC Centre for Disease Control and Vancouver Coastal Health websites.

Thank you to everyone for following these recommendations to ensure our community remains healthy.

Update: Wednesday, February 12, 2020

The Provincial Health Officer has confirmed a total of four cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Vancouver Coastal Health Region. Nevertheless, the risk of the virus spreading in BC remains low, and all necessary precautions are being taken to prevent the spread of infection.

However, the Public Health Agency of Canada, out of an abundance of caution, is now recommending that any travelers arriving from Hubei province (including Wuhan City) of China closely monitor themselves for symptoms and avoid contact with others for 14 days after leaving Hubei province. This includes remaining home from school or work and avoiding crowded places.

Should there be any Langara students or employees newly arrived from Hubei, we ask that you stay home from class or work for 14 days as per these new recommendations. Please contact your instructors or supervisor to inform them of the reason for your absence and to plan for any missed classwork etc. Students should contact instructors to ensure they are not missing any course work, assignments, or exams that, if missed, would impact their studies.

Travel Advice

We also want to let our community know that Global Affairs Canada is currently recommending that Canadians avoid all non-essential travel to China. Employees and students with travel plans  are encouraged to check the Travel Advisory website for their destination, and follow Global Affairs advice: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories.

Information Updates

The latest information on the outbreak is available on the BC Centre for Disease Control and Vancouver Coastal Health websites.

Thank you to everyone for following these recommendations to ensure our community remains healthy.

Update: Thursday, January 30, 2020

We know our community is concerned with the recent coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and its arrival in British Columbia.

Even with this single confirmed case, the risk to residents in the Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) region and in B.C. remains low. There is no ongoing risk posed to the public, and health care staff in our region are prepared should other cases arise.

The academic term has been in progress for longer than the virus incubation period, and there have been no cases reported on campus. Classes and normal campus operations will continue as scheduled.

There is no reason for travellers returning from China without any symptoms to be prevented from working, going to school, or attending events unless instructed to do so by VCH. There is also no evidence that novel coronavirus is circulating in the Chinese-Canadian community.

We can all help to reduce the spread of infections by following proper respiratory hygiene etiquette during the cold and flu season. This includes:

  • Wash your hands frequently, especially if you’ve been out in public. Hand sanitizer is also distributed around our campus.

  • Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, mouth and nose.

  • Cough and sneeze into your elbow. If you use a tissue, make sure to dispose of it properly and wash your hands.

  • If you feel unwell, stay home so you don’t pass your infection onto others, especially those who may be at higher risk.

If you are concerned you have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus, stay home from school or work , and contact your health-care provider, local public health office, or call 811.

We advise anyone concerned about the outbreak to visit the BC Centre for Disease Control and Vancouver Coastal Health websites for further updates. We appreciate your cooperation in helping keep our community safe.

Langara College

Update: Monday, January 27, 2020

We know our community is concerned with the recent coronavirus outbreak and its arrival in Canada. At this time, the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) considers the risk to British Columbians as low. To date, there have been no cases of illness caused by the coronavirus in British Columbia. If you are concerned you have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus, contact your health-care provider, local public health office, or call 811.

We suggest the following steps that can help prevent the spread of any virus or germs to reduce your risk:

  • Wash your hands frequently, especially if you’ve been out in public.

  • Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, mouth and nose.

  • Cough and sneeze into your elbow. If you use a tissue, make sure to dispose of it properly and wash your hands.

  • If you feel unwell, stay home so you don’t pass your infection onto others, especially those who may be at higher risk.

We advise anyone concerned about the outbreak to bookmark http://www.bccdc.ca/ and check regularly for further updates. We appreciate your cooperation in helping keep our community safe.

Langara College