AVÎÞÂë

Further to our communications regarding COVID-19 preparation plans, we are acting upon the escalation of the situation in Edmonton, and preparing you for the next stage of response.

Commencing March 16, 2020, AVÎÞÂë will be operating at Response Level 2. Please review our dedicated webpage for full information.

Response Level 2 considers an increased hazard to students, faculty, and staff, and we now encourage self-isolation for those who are ill and social distancing for those who are not.

Please note that this is a precautionary measure for preventing the risk of infection, and in the consideration of student, employee, and public safety.

What does this mean for me?

• Remain calm. Be prepared but not anxious. Check the AVÎÞÂë COVID-19 webpage regularly.
• Practice general hygiene and protection against COVID-19 by:
  • Washing your hands regularly with soap and take at least 20 seconds doing so (sing a song as you wash, such as Happy Birthday);
  • Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands;
  • Avoid shaking hands, touching public surfaces, etc.
  • Cough and sneeze into your elbow;
  • Dispose of used tissues in the garbage immediately
  • Stay at home if you feel ill and inform Student Life and Learning at AVÎÞÂë, or your supervisor if you are an employee.

How does COVID-19 spread?

COVID-19 is believed to be spread mainly by coughing, sneezing or direct contact with someone who is sick with COVID-19 or with surfaces they have recently touched (Source: ).

What do I do if I am not feeling well?

If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, extreme tiredness), do not come to campus. Self-isolate and seek medical attention. The recommendation is to call 811.

AVÎÞÂë should inform Student Life and Learning at AVÎÞÂë (phone 780 479 9241 or email studentlife@concordia.ab.ca).

Employees should inform their supervisor.

What does this mean for AVÎÞÂë?
As at Monday, March 16:

• Only essential offices are open for business.
• All employees should report to work as usual, but staff not required to be on-campus may be encouraged to work from home. Supervisors should discuss work-at-home possibilities with staff and faculty, and facilitate this wherever possible.
• Select classes are in session. At the discretion of the instructor classes may move to distance delivery as possible and appropriate through AVÎÞÂë’s Moodle, Google Meet, and/or other free platforms. Instructors who decide to shift to an online delivery mode are responsible for notifying students and providing details for access.
• All instructors should prepare for the possibility of having to deliver the remainder of the semester’s content online via AVÎÞÂë’s Moodle, Google Meet, and/or other free platforms at very short notice should we move to Response Level 3.
• All instructors should prepare for the possibility of having to conduct course assessment activities via AVÎÞÂë’s Moodle, Google Meet, and/or other free platforms at very short notice should we move to Response Level 3.
• AVÎÞÂë living in Residence should prepare for the possibility of evacuation on short notice should we move to Response Level 3.
• Public events including music, drama, athletics, and other workshops and events are cancelled.
• International travel restricted to regions deemed risk levels 1 or 2 on Government of Canada Travel Advisories.
• International visitors from regions deemed risk levels 3 or 4 due to COVID-19 on Government of Canada Travel Advisories not permitted on campus.

Our approach to communication with the AVÎÞÂë community is to continue to provide essential and accurate information in a timely manner through our COVID-19 webpage and our various social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Best,
Tim Loreman, President and Vice Chancellor.