OLDS — Olds College has instituted a mask mandate, just a couple of days after exposure to COVID was confirmed on campus.
College officials also recommend that students, staff and faculty get vaccinated before coming to campus as a way to limit spread of the disease.
In an email, officials said the mask mandate will remain in place until further notice.
On its website, the college says the confirmed active exposure occurred on Aug. 24 at the Learning Resource Centre.
The college also announced on Aug. 26 that a mask mandate will be implemented on campus effective Aug. 30.
“To promote a healthy and safe learning, working, and living environment, non-medical face masks MUST now be worn in all public indoor areas, including classrooms, hallways and common areas,” the website post says.
“With the rise in positive COVID cases in Alberta and the increased risk due to variants, Olds College believes this is one measure we can all take to reduce the risks to our campus community.”
However, the post also listed several cases in which masks won’t have to be worn. They are:
• while working alone in an office or cubicle or where a barrier is in place;
• working outdoors and there is a minimum distance of two metres between people; and
• eating in Elements Dining Hall, the Crossing, student lounges or staff rooms.
The post points out that various public health officials in Canada and the United States, including Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw, all recommend the wearing of masks as a way to curb transmission of COVID-19.
“We strongly encourage all students, staff and faculty to get vaccinated prior to returning to campus. Alberta Health Services (AHS) and the government of Canada confirms all COVID-19 vaccines available in Canada are safe and effective at preventing serious illness,” the website post says.
The site says all students and staff are welcome to attend the AHS drop-in COVID-19 vaccine clinics.
Those clinics will be held Aug. 30, Sept. 13 and Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the AHS clinic in the Ralph Klein Centre (RKC) on campus.
The site provides a link for people to book their shot.
Meanwhile, if students, staff or faculty are not feeling well, they’re urged to stay home and fill out the online COVID-19 Self Assessment or call 811.
“We must all continue to monitor our health and to practise good hygiene habits like hand washing. All staff and students must continue to follow the isolation and quarantine requirements,” the post says.
“Any student who is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 that are not related to a pre-existing illness or health condition should fill out the Student Isolation Registration form. Employees should notify their managers.”
Blayne Meek, director of marketing, communications and conference services for Olds College told The Albertan that a decision to reinstate a mask mandate on campus was made before administrative staff were notified of the Aug. 24 confirmed case.
“Throughout the pandemic, Olds College's emergency operations team has monitored the situation to put processes in place to keep our campus community safe," she wrote in an email.
