OCNews

Okanagan College received the following update from the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training on Friday, Jan. 7. Note: Okanagan College students with questions or concerns are welcome to contact the institution by visiting the COVID questions webpage. 

Student questions

Public health in BC continues to strongly recommend the continuation of on-campus instruction for post-secondary institutions (PSIs) starting Jan. 10, 2022 as outlined in the Provincial Health Officer’s recommendations.    

• Evidence to date indicates that BC’s PSIs are low-risk settings for the transmission of COVID-19 due to:
  • High vaccination rates;
  • Sector wide health and safety protocols; and,
  • High compliance with Provincial Health Officer orders, including the requirement for masks in all post-secondary classrooms and workplaces.
• In-person learning is critical to alleviating the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on young adults in British Columbia as documented by the BCCDC COVID-19 Young Adult Task Force, including significantly worsening mental health.
• As part of a long term, sustainable approach to managing COVID-19, PSIs need contingency plans in place to support learning continuity for students as well as operational continuity during short-term business disruptions resulting from students, faculty or staff becoming ill due to COVID-19, as per direction from BC’s Provincial Health Officer.  Institutions should reference the COVID-19 Return-to-Campus Guidelines and the COVID-19 resources noted below to review and update their existing business continuity plans.
  • COVID-19 Return-to-Campus Guidelines are hosted on government’s public website.
  • Guidance and recommendations from the Provincial Health Officer are available online at the COVID-19 Provincial Support and Information website.
  • If you require advice regarding a potential COVID-19 case, please contact your local Medical Health Officer.
  • WorkSafeBC guidance is available on communicable disease prevention plans.