What we must do, and what will guide us in making decisions
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry continues to advise post-secondary institutions to prepare for face-to-face instruction by this fall. Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training Anne Kang said this will take place with all appropriate measures to keep people safe.
CNC continues to prepare for the return to face-to-face instruction. We will work within the organization, with partners in health care, the unions and many others for a safe return.
What has happened in the past two weeks
Safe restart: The BC Government has issued its safe restart plan. The plan outlines four distinct steps for easing restrictions, and the earliest start date for each step. Moving from one step to the next depends on
- Declining COVID-19 case counts;
- Increasing vaccination rates in people 18 years of
age and older;
- Declining COVID-19 hospitalizations, including
critical care; and
- Declining COVID-19 mortality rate.
The plan as well update on current restrictions and orders are available here.
Vaccine availability expanded: vaccine appointments are now open to anyone in BC 12 years of age or older. This includes temporary residents such as international students at CNC. They will need a public health number to receive the vaccine, and can obtain one by calling 1-833-838-2323.
What we are doing now
The BC Government’s restart plan has provided guidance on how life may return to a more normal state following the more extensive restrictions.
However, as provincial orders may be eased over time, there may be a slight lag in changes at CNC. This will allow us to be certain our safety plans effectively meet provincial standards and are consistent with partners in the post-secondary sector.
We ask for your patience as we carefully work through the process of moving the college to a new normal this fall.
What you can expect to hear next, and how you can help
Health checks
Under provincial law and workplace regulations, CNC employees must complete their COVID-19 health check on any day they will be on a college campus. You must complete this check before starting work. You can do so on-line at either from home before coming to campus, or immediately upon arrival on campus. Employees who do not have access to a computer should complete a paper version and submit to their manager.
Vaccination
Registration and appointment booking for the COVID-19 vaccine continues. We encourage CNC employees to speak with their primary care provider and seek trusted sources of information about specific interventions and their personal health.
You can register at https://www.getvaccinated.gov.bc.ca/ or by calling 1-833-838-2323.
The province has provided up to three hours of paid leave to be vaccinated against COVID-19, effective and retroactive to April 19th, 2021. If you require time off work to obtain a COVID-19 vaccination, advise your administrator as soon as you can of your need for time
off and how long you require.
- Face-to-face meetings must only be for essential needs that cannot be reasonably discussed through videoconferencing or by telephone; and
- Please continue to maintain your use of masks, physical distancing, hand hygiene, and adherence to the safety plans of your department and CNC overall.
Further reading: