COVID-19 (novel Coronavirus) Information

Yes, at this time masks remain mandatory for all indoor public spaces, with the following exceptions:  

1. Working alone in an office or cubicle or where a barrier is in place.
2. Working outdoors and there is a minimum of 2 metres between people
3. Eating in Elements Dining Hall, the Crossing, student lounges or staff rooms.

Enhanced sanitation protocols, previously instituted, will continue. In addition the Facilities Maintenance team has installed enhanced air filtration (MERV 14) to all building mechanical systems. Masks remain mandatory in all indoor public areas.

Yes. All information collected will be kept confidential. Protection of Privacy - Personal information provided is collected in accordance with Section 33(c) of the Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (the FOIP Act) and will be protected under Part 2 of that Act. It will be used for the purpose of compliance with Government of Alberta directives to allow contact tracing in the event of a confirmed case of Covid-19.

The Emergency Operations Team,  with support from all People Managers across the campus, will monitor the program for compliance.

Olds College does not know when the Government of Alberta Proof of Vaccine Policy Program will end. In order to continue to uphold the integrity of our learning environment by continuing to offer access to hands-on, in-person learning in a safe environment for our staff and students, Olds College will continue to implement the Government of Alberta’s Proof of Vaccine Policy Program until the end of the program.

If you have COVID-19 symptoms or have received a positive COVID-19 test result, you are required to follow Alberta Health isolation regulations and guidelines.

If you are not fully vaccinated you will be required to provide proof of a negative privately-paid COVID-19 PCR or rapid test. Beginning January 10, 2022, to be compliant at all times a valid PCR or rapid test result must be submitted by the noon deadline every Monday and Thursday (tests results are valid if within 24 hours of the deadline).

If your classes are entirely online, and you will not be living in campus housing or  on campus for any reason, you do not need to submit a negative rapid test.

Students without on-campus requirements may wish to attend Olds College (e.g., access library, meet with faculty or staff, student services).  In these cases students are required to demonstrate compliance with the POV program by submitting proof of vaccination or rapid test. This is submitted through the Olds College Alert App.

Please visit Alberta Health Services for all up to date information.

If you only have one dose of vaccine you will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 PCR or rapid test result, until 14 days after you receive your second dose.

Third party contractors coming onto campus need to sign a declaration of  acknowledgement that they understand Olds College’s COVID-19 restrictions and are in compliance. This form will be available on OC Connect. We do NOT require third party contractors to submit proof of vaccination. 

Guests coming onto campus must sign a declaration of  acknowledgement that they understand the College’s COVID-19 restrictions and are in compliance. This will be done through the swiped-on guest sign-in ipad stations located around campus.

Yes, capacity requirements have been adjusted. Social distancing and masks are required.

No, you do not need to resubmit your proof of vaccination for the winter term

Effective Jan. 3 rapid tests will no longer be available for purchase at the Health & Wellness Centre on campus. The following pharmacies offer rapid COVID-19 testing in Olds:

Students and staff who have purchased at-home testing kits can come directly to the Health and Wellness Centre to have them validate the test results. The at-home test must be unopened and administered in front of a health and wellness team member. Walk in appointments are available on a first come first serve basis.

Nurses are available to validate Rapid Testing at the following times:

• Monday - 7:15 am to 12:00pm
• Wednesday - 12:30pm to 5:30pm
• Thursday - 7:15am to 12:00pm

You must supply your own tests. Tests must be a Canadian approved rapid test

Prices vary by provider. Pharmacies range from $35 to $50.

1. You can submit your negative PCR or rapid test result through the Olds College Alert App. Click on “Vaccine Policy Program Document Submission” to fill out the form and attach a photo or PDF.  To download the Olds College Alert App visit the app store on your device

2. Valid test results should be a written or printed copy that clearly outlines the type of test, time of sample collection, clear indication of a negative result, and laboratory that completed the test, if applicable. 

3. Beginning January 10, 2022, to be compliant with the POV Program at all times a valid PCR or rapid test result must be submitted by the noon deadline every Monday and Thursday (tests results are valid if within 24 hours of the deadline).

You can submit your proof of vaccine(s) and medical exemption, through the Olds College Alert App. Click on “Vaccine Policy Program Document Submission” to fill out the form and attach a photo or PDF.  To download the Olds College Alert App visit the app store on your device.

To confirm your vaccination, you must submit your provincial or territorial QR code.  Alberta vaccine records with QR codes (paper or digital) is now the valid Alberta-issued proof of vaccination.  To download your vaccine record, please visit myhealth.alberta/ca.

If you choose to not disclose your vaccine status, you will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 PCR or rapid test result. Beginning January 10, 2022, to be compliant with the POV program at all times a valid PCR or rapid test results must be submitted by the noon deadline every Monday and Thursday (tests results are valid if within 24 hours of the deadline).

• We accept third party validated results that include name, time, date and result (for example a test result from a local pharmacy).

• As stated on the Government of Alberta’s website, tests must be privately-paid, Health Canada approved rapid antigen, rapid PCR or lab-based PCR test
  

• Valid test results should be a written or printed copy that clearly outlines the type of test, time of sample collection, clear indication of a negative result, and laboratory / pharmacy that completed the test, if applicable. Photos of a rapid test result taken offsite is not sufficient.

• At-home testing kits are only accepted if brought to the Health and Wellness Centre. The at-home test must be unopened and administered in front of a health and wellness team member. Walk in appointments are available on a first come first serve basis. This service will be offered on Mondays and Thursdays until further notice and is subject to change.

• Rapid testing verification will be available Monday and Thursday from 7:30am-12:00pm

• Do not bring completed self-tests or rapid tests to businesses due to communicable disease risk.

• Tests must not be from Alberta Health Services or Alberta Precision Laboratories.

No, if you are fully immunized, you do not need to participate in rapid testing. Full immunization occurs 14 days after you have received two doses of a WHO approved COVID-19 vaccine.

Providing a false statement concerning your vaccine status is considered misconduct and individuals will be subject to disciplinary action according to the Employee Code of Conduct and the Student Code of Conduct.

The free rapid test kits that the government is providing are for at-home personal use for regular screening in asymptomatic people. The rapid test kits provided for free through Alberta’s rapid testing programs cannot be used for the Restrictions Exemption Program (REP) or Proof of Vaccine Policy Program, which requires privately paid test results.

• Yes, rapid testing will be required for people who have a medical exemption from the vaccine. Requests for consideration to be reimbursed for the rapid testing due to medical exemption will be processed on a case by case basis. Students contact Health & Wellness, staff contact HR. 

• Beginning January 10, 2022, to be compliant with the POV program at all times a valid PCR or rapid test result must be submitted by the noon deadline every Monday and Thursday (tests results are valid if within 24 hours of the deadline).

Currently, all classes, where possible, will be delivered online until Feb. 22, 2022. This approach is being implemented by the majority of post secondaries in Alberta and supported by the Government of Alberta. There are some programs that may still have an in-person requirement. Students will receive an email from the Office of the Registrar about their specific program delivery.

The course drop deadline is specific to each course. For full 15 week term-based courses, the drop deadline remains as January 23. The fee deadline for programs that started January 10 has been extended from January 14 to January 23. 

Course Add/Drop deadline

You must show proof of full immunization, proof of a medical exemption or a valid negative COVID-19 PCR or rapid test result.

You must show proof of full immunization or a valid negative COVID-19 PCR or rapid test result.

No, currently guests are not permitted in campus housing. 

Yes, currently all employees who can work from home should do so. 

You may be able to continue to work remotely with the agreement of your supervisor through the Olds College Dynamic Work Model Program. If you are not able to work remotely, you may choose to take vacation days (if accrued) or be put on an unpaid leave of absence. All alternate work arrangements must be approved by your supervisor.

Provincial and Federal travel restrictions must continue to be followed. The Government of Canada released a travel advisory on December 15, 2021 to avoid all non-essential travel outside of Canada. Olds College employees are not permitted to travel for professional development purposes. All meetings should be held virtually.