As daylight hours grow shorter and respiratory season begins, UFV Safety and Security would like to remind our community about communicable disease prevention, as informed by the BC Centre for Disease Control’s updated public health guidance for post-secondary institutions.
Health Awareness:
People should stay home if they are sick. When taking this action, students should contact instructors, and employees should advise their managers/leadership.
Instructors, please work with students who are ill to identify ways to ensure that those who cannot participate in academic activities due to a temporary illness are not disadvantaged in their educational pursuits. Please note that students are not required to submit medical notes.
By way of reminder, the Centre for Accessibility Services (CAS) supports students with diagnosed disabilities, whether temporary or permanent, not students who periodically miss class because of illness. If you are concerned about a longer-term student absence due to illness, please refer the student to the Student Support Centre.
All formal requests for accommodation from employees, including medical accommodation, are based on the individual circumstances and in accordance with collective agreements, legal obligations and established accommodation review timelines.
Hand Hygiene
Everyone on campus is encouraged to regularly wash or sanitize their hands.
Non-Medical Masks and Face Coverings
The decision to wear a mask remains a personal one, based on individual preference. Students, staff, or visitors may choose to wear a mask or face covering throughout the day or for certain activities. The choice to practice additional personal prevention measures should be respected. Information on non-medical masks is available from the BCCDC.
Vaccination
Students and employees are encouraged to ensure they are up to date on all recommended vaccines for communicable diseases.
The BCCDC has specific information on getting vaccinated for students new to B.C. from other parts of Canada and internationally.
More information on vaccination and communicable disease prevention in the workplace is available on the WorkSafeBC website. Evidence-based immunization information and tools for B.C. residents are available from BCCDC and ImmunizeBC websites. Additional guidance for post-secondary institutions is available from the BCCDC.
Thank you for considering your health, as well as the health of those around you.