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 is installing 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.

Olds College is committed to upholding 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. By implementing the Proof of Vaccine Policy Program we are able to continue to offer in-person learning, and all of the extracurricular in-person activities to our students.

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.

• As of Monday, Sept. 20, if you are not vaccinated you will be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR or rapid test to access campus. The test is only valid for 72 hours. You will need to have a valid negative test result to be on campus. 

• Rapid Tests are available for purchase at the Olds College Health & Wellness Centre located in lower-level LRC. 

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

Effective Nov. 1, 2021, if you only have one dose of vaccine you will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 PCR or rapid test result.

It is important to note that full immunization occurs 14 days after the second dose is received, so you must receive your second dose by Oct. 18, 2021 in order to avoid rapid testing.

As of Monday, Sept. 20 third party contractors coming onto campus will 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. 

As of Monday, Sept. 20 guests coming onto campus will need to 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.

Rapid tests are available   at the Health & Wellness Centre on campus. Tests are $35 each. Debit, Visa and Mastercard are accepted. Alternatively, these pharmacies offer rapid COVID-19 testing:

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. This is a temporary service that will be offered until Friday, October 1, 2021.

Prices vary by provider. At the Olds College Health & Wellness tests are $35 each. Pharmacies range from $35 to $50.

• Olds College will reimburse the cost of the PCR or rapid testing for those students and staff who received their first dose of the vaccine between Sept. 7 - 20, 2021 (up to $60 per test). Proof of 1st and 2nd dose of vaccination will be required.
• Staff can submit for reimbursement through Fusion. 
• Students can submit their request for reimbursement through the OC Alert App between October 11-22, 2021. Eligible students can expect to receive a confirmation of their reimbursements by November 1, 2021 with refunds to follow shortly after.

• You can submit your negative PCR or rapid test result, and proof of vaccine(s), through the Olds College Alert App. Click on “Vaccine Policy Restriction Program Documentation” 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. Students can provide proof in-person to the Health and Wellness Centre at Olds College (lower level, LRC) Monday to Friday, 8:30-4:30. Staff can provide proof in-person to HR. 

• 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.

• Yes, but you must provide a negative COVID-19 PCR or rapid test result from within 72 hours before coming on campus. The test is only valid for 72 hours. You will need to have a valid negative test result to be on campus. Negative test results will be required until two weeks after your first dose.

You can submit your proof of vaccine(s), through the Olds College Alert App. Click on “Vaccine Policy Restriction Program Documentation” 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. Students can provide proof in-person to the Health and Wellness Centre at Olds College (lower level, LRC) Monday to Friday, 8:30-4:30. Staff can provide proof in-person to HR. 

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.

If you choose to not disclose your vaccine status, you will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 PCR or rapid test result from within 72 hours before coming on campus. The test is only valid for 72 hours, and will need to be repeated. 

• We accept Rapid Antigen Teletest tests that can be purchased at the Health and Wellness Centre at Olds College, and 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 completed within the previous 72 hours.

• 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. Photos of a rapid test result taken offsite is not sufficient.

• 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. This service will be offered on Mondays and Wednesdays until further notice.

• 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 have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, you do not need to participate in rapid testing. 

It is important to note that full immunization occurs 14 days after the second dose is received, so you must receive your second dose by Oct. 18, 2021 in order to avoid rapid testing.

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.

Under the Proof of Vaccine Policy Program, classes will continue to be offered in-person.  Students should consult their class schedule at myoldscollege.ca for updates.

You must show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 PCR or rapid test result every 72 hours.

You must show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 PCR or rapid test result every 72 hours. 

Yes, guests are welcome who are vaccinated. As of Monday, Sept. 20, 2021 guests coming onto campus will need to 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 or through the QR code on the guest sign-in posters.

The deadline for program withdrawal has been extended to Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at 5 pm to withdraw with a refund. Any completed classes are not refundable. Tuition and Fees - Tuition and fees will be refunded (including tuition deposit). If you are living in Campus Housing, room and board will be refunded on a prorated basis (based on actual usage).

Under the Proof of Vaccine Policy Program, mandatory work from home is no longer in effect Sept 20, 2021. The Dynamic Work Model that is being piloted this year is still in place.

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. Travel for Olds College business and professional development is allowed as long as it complies with all provincial and federal travel restrictions.