The University is currently reviewing plans for alternative delivery of our courses and programs
Please note, we have no reports of any COVID-19 illness among our campus community. The University is currently reviewing plans for alternative delivery of our courses and programs. Please watch for further announcements on Monday, March 16, 2020.
British Columbia's Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry issued new directives on March 12, 2020 that took effect immediately:
- The government advised against all non-essential travel outside of Canada, including to the United States.
- Anyone who chooses to travel outside of Canada now is asked to stay away from work or school for 14 days upon their return.
- The government directed that all event organizers cancel any gathering larger than 250 people. "This includes indoor and outdoor sporting events, conferences, meetings, religious gatherings or other similar events. This threshold has been selected, as it is much easier to maintain important social distancing to prevent transmission of COVID-19."
For students: Following the government's annoucement, schools and universities remain open at this time. However, please stay home if you are sick, and contact your instructors to notify them of the situation. If you need to follow self isolation due to COVID-19, again, contact your instructors and stay home from campus. Instructors can assist with remote learning options and accommodations.
Students, faculty, staff or visitors who have been laboratory tested for COVID-19 should stay home or self-isolate in their room alone, until their test results are known.
Anyone who has 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). This does not apply to travellers who have returned to Canada up to or before March 12. The previously mandated self-isolation requirements for travellers returning from Hubei Province, China; Iran; and Italy remain in effect in those cases.
Capilano University's response and role of public health authorities
University events: Capilano University is taking the necessary steps now to assess all events, and cancel events as needed. All large-scale planned events, of over 250 people, are cancelled. This applies both to events organized by the University and external groups. Please watch for information from your event organizers.
The University continues to take its direction from local, provincial and national public health authorities for our campus response associated with COVID-19. We have activated emergency operations procedures and are actively reviewing our infectious disease protocols. Our senior leadership is in regular communication with public health officials to ensure our campuses are prepared to respond.
If a case of COVID-19 were to be confirmed that affects Capilano University, it would be communicated to the University via our Medical Health Officer for Vancouver Coastal Health and information would be shared with the campus community.
COVID-19 in B.C.
There is a growing, but limited number of cases of COVID-19 in B.C. Each one is being very closely managed. Updated information regarding these cases is available from the BC Centre for Disease Control. At this time, the Public Health Agency of Canada continues to assess the public health risk associated with COVID-19 as "low for Canada".
North Vancouver: On March 13, 2020, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced three additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 on the North Shore. All cases are in relation to Lynn Valley Care Centre, Lions Gate Hospital and Hollyburn House. All these cases are being closely managed by the health authority.
We realize that news of COVID-19 in North Vancouver may lead to concerns. The health and well-being of our students and employees is of primary importance to the University. Please see information on the University's response in our section.
Previously, on March 2, 2020, the BC Centre for Disease Control provided recommendations for post-secondary students, faculty and staff:
- Students, faculty or staff returning from Italy, Iran or Hubei Province, China must stay home or self-isolate alone for 14 days after they leave. They should monitor themselves daily for symptoms (fever, cough, muscle aches and difficulty breathing).
- Students, faculty, or staff who have been in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 by laboratory testing should stay home or self-isolate alone for 14 days after their last encounter. Individuals should monitor themselves daily for symptoms (fever, cough, muscle aches, and difficulty breathing).
- Students, faculty, or staff who have been in other parts of mainland China (outside Hubei Province) should monitor themselves daily for symptoms (fever, cough, muscle aches, and difficulty breathing) for 14 days after they left China. They do not need to self-isolate.
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.
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, taking steps to reduce the chance of spreading the disease to others is important.
Travel advice and advisories
Please consult the Government of Canada Travel and Tourism information for the latest travel advice before any travel.
Anyone expecting visitors to campus from affected areas should keep updated to determine if the visit may be delayed or affected by the situation overseas.
University-related travel
The University is continuing to suspend all university-related travel for students and employees consistent with Government of Canada travel advisories, as it relates to Coronavirus, at this time. This decision will be reviewed regularly as additional information is available.
Stay informed
Please follow information from the BC Centre of Disease Control for up-to-date health information related to COVID-19. For more information follow updates from local, provincial, national and international health authorities:
Capilano University continues to monitor information from health authorities. We update students, faculty and staff as information changes.
Submitted by: Linda Munro