COVID-19 (novel Coronavirus) Information

Sept 22

We are currently developing a set of FAQs to post on this site tomorrow (Sept. 23). Thanks for your patience.

Vaccination clinics

We’ve worked with provincial health authorities to offer immunization clinics at our campuses. Please bring your health care card.

Lloydminster campus

• Saturday Sept. 25 - Allan Markin Room from 9 am – 3:30 pm

Vermilion campus

• Tuesday Sept 28 - Upstairs in Alumni Hall from 10 am – 2 pm
• hursday Oct. 7. Upstairs in Alumni Hall from 10 am – 2 pm

Sept 17

We’re continuing our work to implement the Restrictions Exemption Program at the Vermilion and Lloydminster campuses. This is being done to comply with the government direction to reduce transmission of COVID-19. 

Starting Monday Sept 20

• All in-person classes and labs resume.
• Everyone coming on campus is required to complete a Daily Assessment.
• 3-ply face coverings must be worn indoors, and physical distancing maintained where possible.
• Next week students and employees will receive information on how to upload proof of vaccination or provide a medical or human rights exemption documentation.
• Rapid tests are not readily available in the region so they will not be required immediately on Monday. We are working with suppliers to find a solution and will let you know when they are available.
• Lakeland College will pay for rapid tests for students and staff until Oct. 12. Visitors must pay for their own rapid tests.

Starting Sunday Sept 26

To be at a Lakeland campus you must meet one of these criteria:

• You must have at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, or
• You must have a proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test (within 72 hours), or
• You must have a documented medical or human rights exemption from vaccination

By Tuesday Oct 26

• You must have two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, or
• You must have a proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test (within 72 hours), or
• You must have a documented medical or human rights exemption from vaccination.

Sept 16

2 pm The Restrictions Exemption Program requires:

• proof of vaccination;
• documentation of a medical exemption; or
• proof of a privately paid negative PCR or rapid test within 72 hours. 

In-person labs will continue with physical distancing and masking requirements this week; however, classes are cancelled for the remainder of this week.

8 am

Due to the Government of Alberta’s new COVID-19 measures, all in-person classes at the Vermilion and Lloydminster campuses are cancelled today (Sept. 16). In-person labs will continue today following physical distancing and masking requirements.

Sept 3

 

Sept 2

Aug 16

The Government of Alberta announced Aug 13 that restrictions which were to take effect Aug 16 will now take effect Sept 27. Our guidelines have been updated to reflect this date change. These are some of the restriction changes that recently went into effect

• Physical distancing is not required.
• Wearing face coverings is not required. People may still want to wear a face covering depending on their own risk assessment and comfort level.
• Completing Lakeland’s daily health assessment is no longer required.
• To reduce your risk of spreading illness, stay home if you are sick. If you feel well enough to work, speak to your supervisor about working from home. Students should communicate with their instructor/program chair about options when feeling unwell.
• Self-isolation requirements for positive COVID-19 cases differ between provinces. Please see guidelines for information. Our Health Services team is available to help.
• Lakeland follows the recommendations of Alberta Health Services and the Saskatchewan Health Authority. Both organizations recommend that eligible individuals be immunized.

Read COVID-19 Guidelines

Aug 9

The Government of Alberta and the Government of Saskatchewan have made changes to many of the public health measures specific to COVID-19. The Government of Saskatchewan lifted its restrictions July 11. The Government of Alberta removed most restrictions July 1, with additional changes July 29. More changes will take effect Aug. 16 [on Aug 13 thiis was changed to Sept 27]. Our latest COVID-19 guidelines outline restriction changes at both campuses. Items to note include:

• Physical distancing is not required.
• Wearing face coverings is not required. People may still want to wear a face covering depending on their own risk assessment and comfort level.
• Completing Lakeland’s daily health assessment is no longer required.
• To reduce your risk of spreading illness, stay home if you are sick. If you feel well enough to work, speak to your supervisor about working from home. Students should communicate with their instructor/program chair about options when feeling unwell.
• Self-isolation requirements for positive COVID-19 cases differ between provinces. Please see guidelines for information. Our Health Services team is available to help.
• Lakeland follows the recommendations of Alberta Health Services and the Saskatchewan Health Authority. Both organizations recommend that eligible individuals be immunized.

Public access Read COVID-19 Guidelines  

June 29

• As both campuses are closed July 1 - 4, measures will take effect July 5 in Vermilion and July 12 in Lloydminster.
• The public is asked to schedule visits to the college before visiting.
• Most staff will continue to work from home for the time being.
• See our department contact list.​ In-person classes are scheduled to return in the fall.
• See our updated summer COVID-19 guidelines document for details.

June 11

On June 10 Alberta moved into Stage 2 of its Open for Summer Plan. As a result of this change:

• In-person learning may resume.
• The Recreation Centre at the Vermilion campus is open. The Aquatic Centre will open on Monday June 14.
• The Vermilion campus cafeteria is open for in-person dining with capacity limits and physical distancing between tables. The cafeteria will close Friday, June 18 for the summer.
• Outdoor social gatherings of up to 20 people are allowed but food sharing is not permitted. Distancing and face covering requirements must be followed.
• Indoor gatherings are not allowed.
• As of June 10, working from home is still recommended.

June 4

May 7

New Alberta restrictions On Tuesday, the Government of Alberta announced additional COVID-19 restrictions including a requirement for post-secondary institutions to move to online studies.

• Lectures will only be delivered online.
• We may offer some in-person hands-on learning if it is essential for our students’ learning outcomes and it follows AHS guidelines. All programs and courses are being assessed on a case-by-case basis.
• Academic schools are communicating changes about program delivery directly with their students.
• Practicums may continue.

What’s open and closed at Lakeland

• Our Recreation Centres including the Aquatic Centre are closed until at least May 31.
• The Vermilion campus cafeteria is open for take-out. Hours of operation are 10 am to 1 pm.
• Both campus libraries are closed but pick-up and drop-off services are available. Access to the Commons' student support services is available.

Active COVID-19 cases

April 23

April 16

Update on COVID-19 outbreak at the Vermilion campus

April 13

Prevalence testing April 14 & 15 Wednesday April 14:

• students and employees who are unable to travel outside Vermilion, or who have been otherwise advised by AHS to access testing locally
• students who live in residence at the Vermilion campus

• students in programs with current in-person classes on the Vermilion campus. This includes trades students.

• bring your health care card and ID
• enter through the Student Centre’s east door
• please wear a 3-ply face covering, socially distance as required and follow all other COVID-19 protocols

• call Health Link at 811
• visit www.ahs.ca

April 9

Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart shared an update on the Vermilion campus outbreak. Lakeland is working with Alberta Health Services as they investigate the situation. Read president Wainwright-Stewart's complete message.

April 7

Alberta Health updated their health measures on Tuesday (April 6) as the province moved back to Step 1 in their Path Forward roadmap. The following updated measures are in place for the Vermilion campus:

• The Vermilion campus library is closed. Access is available for students in need of services from the Commons, including accessibility and accommodated services, as well as IT support. One computer station will be available for printing services.
• The Vermilion campus Recreation Centre is closed until further notice.
• The Vermilion campus cafeteria dining area is closed. The cafeteria remains open for take out only. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. effective April 8.

April 6

Vermilion campus:

• There are more than 10 positive COVID-19 cases at the Vermilion campus, which Alberta Health Services classifies as an outbreak.
• Classes for agricultural sciences, environmental sciences and interior design technology have moved online until further notice.
• Alberta Health Services and Lakeland's Health Services department are working together to complete contact tracing and determine if further action needs to be taken. People in contact with those who tested positive for COVID-19 are being notified and given instructions.

Mitigating transmission:

• Travel between the Lloydminster and Vermilion campuses is not permitted until further notice.
• Anyone who can work from home is recommended to do so. Essential workers will be able to continue to safely work on campus.

April 1

• One employee who was last on campus on March 22 has tested positive. Saskatchewan Health Authority determined this person had no close contact with anyone on campus.

Vermilion campus:

• Five students have tested positive. Four of these students were on campus this week.
• Classes for the academic school involving these cases moved online today and will remain online until April 16. We will monitor the situation and determine if it's safe for people to return to campus for exams the week of April 19.
• As a precautionary measure, classes for another academic school also moved online for today (April 1) as we assess the situation.
• Alberta Health Services and Lakeland's Heath Services department are working together to complete contact tracing and determine if further action needs to be taken. People in contact with those who tested positive for COVID-19 are being notified and given instructions.

March  19

Campus return in Fall   With guidance from provincial health authorities and the Ministry of Advanced Education, Lakeland will ensure any required health and safety protocols are in place.

March 4

• Lakeland's libraries at both campuses are now open at 15 per cent capacity to students and staff.
• This capacity limit doesn't include staff who work in the library.
• Students may now study and do coursework in the library, as long as they follow protocols including wearing a face covering and staying 2 metres from one another at all times.

• Starting today (March 5) people may use the weight room in the Vermilion campus Recreation Centre.
• Workouts must be low intensity and face coverings are mandatory. Physical distancing of 3 metres is required.
• No drop ins are allowed.
• Users must pre-register for a time to work out.
• To abide with government measures related to high-intensity activities, there is currently no access to most cardio equipment and gymnasium.
• Effective March 15, treadmills will be only just for walking.
• Effective March 15, the pool will reopen for one-on-one training three days a week. Check the pool schedule page.
• Lloydminster campus gym will remain closed. Students do have access to the Servus Sports Centre facilities. Staff are evaluating when and how to open the weight room.
• Lakeland will continue to evaluate and adjust our protocols to comply with the latest government COVID-19 recommendations.

Preventing the virus from spreading

Influenza and other common viruses remain the most likely cause of a respiratory infection. To protect yourself and others:

• use good hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing. See AHS hand washing instructions (pdf)


• cover coughs and sneezes
• avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hand. For example, after disposing a tissue, wash your hands. 
• stay at home and away from others if you are feeling ill
• contact your primary health provider or Health Link 811 if you have questions or concerns about your health

How to prepare?

If you want to prepare you and your household if you have to self-isolate, Alberta public health officials recommendations are:

• Talk with the people who need to be included in your plan.
• Meet with household members, other relatives, and friends to discuss what to do if a COVID-19 outbreak occurs in your community and what the needs of each person will be.
• Plan ways to care for those who might be at greater risk for serious complications. This includes practical steps like ensuring you have sufficient medication and determining what supplies are needed, and if they can be delivered.
• Talk with your neighbors about emergency planning.
• Create a list of local organizations that you and your household can contact in the event you need access to information, health care services, support, and resources.
• Create an emergency contact list.

2. Practice good personal health habits and plan for home-based actions:

• Practice everyday preventive actions, like those listed in the prevention section.
• Choose a room in your home that can be used to separate sick household members from those who are healthy. Identify a separate bathroom for the sick person to use, if possible. Plan to clean these rooms, as needed, when someone is sick.

3. Be prepared if your child’s school or childcare facility is temporarily dismissed 4. Plan for potential changes at your workplace.

• Learn about your employer’s emergency operations plan.
• Ask about what sick-leave policies and telework options are available if needed.

Students:

• Chantel Walker, Lloydminster counsellor, call or text 780 214 2687 or email chantel.walker@lakelandcollege.ca
• Alyce Allaster-Hunsperfer, Vermilion counsellor, call or text 780 871 3954 or email alyce.allaster-hunsperger@lakelandcollege.ca
• Sarah Popil, wellness advisor, call or text 780 871 3013, or email sarah.popil@lakelandcollege.ca
• supports through your health plan Real Campus. This includes a 24-hour counsellor line 1 877 390 REAL(7325). Real Campus is also available as an app.
• To develop personal and academic resilience, use this Healthy Campus Alberta workbook. It’s a 36-page interactive pdf that defines resilience, describes responses to stressors and outlines healthy strategies based on your experiences.​

Employees:

• call Homewood Health at 1 800 663 1142
• online support: https://homeweb.ca. Set up an account to access services.
• if you're feeling anxious, try i-Volve, an online tool on the Homewood Health website.
• download the Homewood Health app

About i-Volve  - is online cognitive behavioural therapy. It's designed for anyone struggling with anxiety and/or mild depression. You'll be guided through exercises that examine and test how you interpret and perceive external stimulation. These insights will help you change and adapt the ways you think, feel, and react during anxious scenarios and situations. Through i-Volve you'll be able to identify, challenge and overcome anxious thoughts, behaviours and emotions.

Online & other resources

• pay attention to your own needs and feelings
• engage in healthy activities that you enjoy and find relaxing
• exercise regularly
• keep regular sleep routines
• eat healthy food.

• Keep things in perspective. Public health agencies and experts worldwide are working to ensure the availability of the best care to those affected, and the best strategies to limit the spread of the virus.
• Avoid watching, reading or listening to news that cause you to feel anxious or stressed.
• Seek information to take practical steps to prepare your plans and protect yourself and loved ones.
• Seek information updates at specific times during the day once or twice..
• Get the facts..
• Gather information at regular intervals, from WHO website and local health authorities platforms, in order to help you distinguish facts from rumors.
• For additional information regarding the Alberta Health Services support and response to the COVID-19 virus, please refer to the COVID-19 info for Albertans website.

If you have to self-isolate

• Stay connected and maintain your social networks.
• Even isolation, try as much as possible to keep your personal daily routines.
• If health authorities have recommended limiting your physical social contact to contain the outbreak, you can stay connected via e-mail, social media, video conference and telephone.