COVID-19 (novel Coronavirus) Information

March 26

 

March 25 

On-campus computer access
Students who require computer access after 8 p.m. and have no other alternative to computer access are asked to contact security to request lab access.

• Lloydminster: 780 8081265
• Vermilion: 780 853 3772

Emergency services technology program
With few students interested in online delivery of the emergency services technology (EST) program, the 2020 intake has been cancelled. Students in the program will receive a full refund of tuition and program fees and be offered a seat in the 2021 intake of the EST program.

Bookstore
As of March 26, bookstores are closed. If you require textbooks, phone 780.853.8525 or email melody.moore@lakelandcollege.ca for assistance. Clothing and promotional items may be ordered online at lakelandcollege.ca/bookstore

 

March 24

Library access
Revised hours of operation are in effect as of March 25:

• Vermilion: 8:15 am to 8 pm from Monday to Friday. Saturday and Sunday hours are 10 am to 5 pm.
• Lloydminster: 8:15 am to 8 pm from Monday to Friday. Saturday and Sunday hours are 1 to 8 pm.

The Commons remains open for student access to computers, printing and circulation.

March 20

At this time, our campuses remain open to support our students. Lakeland is taking every precaution to protect the well-being of students, employees and visitors. Members of the public are asked to phone the college for assistance rather than visit our campuses.  

March 19

Emergency Service Technology

• Fire specialization theory courses will be delivered online. Practical training is scheduled for August 17 if the COVID-17 restrictions have been lifted.
• The Primary Care Paramedic course for the emergency medical specialization can't be delivered online. These students may withdraw (with a full refund) or transfer to the fire specialization.
• EST students have an extended deadline to withdraw (until April 30) giving them time to try online course delivery.

Apprenticeship Training

• 4th year electrician apprentices will be able to finish their training online beginning March 23. If they are in good academic standing, theywon't be required to challenge the provincial theory or practical examinations. If they are in residence, they have the choice to leave or go home.
• Alberta Industry Training (AIT) has cancelled training for intakes that started on March 2 and those scheduled to start in May.
• Priority will be given to those whose training was cancelled when registering for the next academic year.
• Full tuition refunds will be provided. Anyone who received their ILMs may keep them for when training resumes.
• Read the full AIT statement for apprentices

 

March 18

March 17 

Vermilion campus

• Now online: Crop technology
• Available March 18: Agribusiness, animal health technology and veterinary medical assistant
• Available March 19: Animal science technology and general agriculture

• Available March 18: Bachelor of applied science: environmental management and environmental sciences (all majors)

• Now online: Bachelor of applied business: emergency services and emergency services technology

• Now online: Animal assisted wellness, American Sign Language and Deaf culture studies, child and youth care, community mental health, educational assistant, early learning and child care, and sign language interpretation.

• Work continues to transition this program to alternate modes of delivery. Instructors are contacting students.

• Programs awaiting ministry direction

Lloydminster campus

• Now online: Bachelor degrees, business administration (all majors), accounting technician and administrative professional

• Small, rotating labs are underway for heavy oil operations technician (HOOT). Online classes to follow. Heavy oil power engineering classes are going online, labs will start when HOOT labs are complete.
• 2nd class power engineering is on track for online delivery. Students will be notified when this transition is completed.

• Instructors are contacting students with more information.

• Now online: Esthetician
• Available March 18: Hairstyling
• Health care aide class instruction is complete. Staff will notify students about practicums. 

• Modules will be completed at home and submitted to instructors. Lab work can be accommodated within the shop using Alberta Health Services recommended methods for small groups.

• All courses including sessional courses will be online by March 19 at the latest. Many are already online. Instructors are contacting students.

March 16

1. The following programs will continue online effective Tuesday, March 17:

• All business programs
• Esthetician 

March 15 

March 13

1. In response to the recommendation by Alberta Health Services to not host large events, Lakeland has cancelled the following upcoming events:

• Donor Appreciation Celebration (March 17)
• Environmental Science Info Session (March 19)
• Conference on Environmental Management (March 19)
• Indigenous Awareness Day (March 20)
• Best of the Border (April 6)

•  Mary Poppins Jr. (March 13-15)

March 12

1. The March 13 info session on the Vermilion campus has been postponed.
2. As advised by the Alberta Health Services chief medical officer’s update (March 12), Lakeland will suspend all large events and require self-isolation of all staff and students returning from international travel. See the Alberta government update: Alberta is adopting aggressive new public health measures to help limit the spread of the novel coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19.
3. Our emergency management team has activated the Emergency Operations Centre and is managing the pandemic response. 
4. ​The ACAC futsal championships scheduled for this weekend in Lloydminster have been postponed. The Alberta Soccer Association has postponed all 2020 indoor soccer championships.

March 10

You won't be eligible for any Alberta Blue Cross coverage if you travel to any destination in the following categories :

• avoid non-essential travel (Level 3)
• avoid all travel (Level 4)

• students who can demonstrate that they have no other alternatives for accommodations
• students who have lab requirements that are being met on-campus over the next few weeks
• international students who are remaining in the country until school resumes in the fall. 

It’s normal to feel stressed in a time of uncertainty. If you’ve noticed an increase in anxiety, be kind to yourself. Lakeland’s counselling and wellness team’s services are available to students. Support is available in-person, online and by phone for students: 

• Chantel Walker, Lloydminster counsellor, at 780 214 2687 or email chantel.walker@lakelandcollege.ca
• Alyce Allaster-Hunsperfer, Vermilion counsellor, at 780 871 3954 or email alyce.allaster-hunsperger@lakelandcollege.ca
• Sarah Popil, wellness advisor, sarah.popil@lakelancollege.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.

All members of the college community are asked to do the following:

• If you or a family member are being tested for or diagnosed with COVID-19, please inform Lakeland College’s health services team (healthservicesverm@lakelandcollege.ca). 
• If you are at higher risk of severe illness, (i.e. chronic health conditions,) inform you chair/dean and take appropriate precautions to limit your exposure. 
• Inform health services if you have traveled through a travel advisory area.

If you have symptoms such as fever, cough and difficulty breathing and have travelled outside Canada or have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19:

• Stay home and use the online self assessment tool.
• If you are not seriously ill, do not go to a physician’s office, a health care facility or a lab unless instructed by Health Link 811.
• Call 911 if you are seriously ill and need immediate medical attention. Tell the operator that you may have COVID-19.

For employees, Lakeland's Employee Assistance Program is available 24 hours a day

• call Homewood Health at 1 800 663 1142
• online support: homeweb.ca . If you're anxious, try i-Volve. Just register an account on the website.
• download the Homewood Health app

You need to contact your supervisor as we will accommodate people to work from home if possible. All members of the college community are asked to do the following:

• If you or a family member are being tested for or diagnosed with COVID-19, please inform your supervisor/chair and Lakeland College’s health services team (healthservicesverm@lakelandcollege.ca). 
• Inform your supervisor if you are at higher risk of severe illness, (i.e. chronic health conditions) and take appropriate precautions to limit your exposure. 
• Inform your supervisor and health services if you have traveled through a travel advisory area.

• Stay home.
• Do the online self assessment. You'll be advised about next steps.
• If you are not seriously ill, do not go to a physician’s office, a health care facility or a lab without consulting with Health Link 811 first.
• Call 911 if you are seriously ill and need immediate medical attention and tell the operator that you may have COVID-19.

Time-since-illness and time-since recovery strategy to end isolation (no test), you can leave home after these three things have happened:

1. No fever for at least 72 hours. That means 3 full days of no fever without the use of medicine that reduces fever and
2. Other symptoms have improved (your cough and/or shortness of breath) and
3. At least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared

Test-based strategy – you’ll be tested to determine if you are still contagious and also meet other conditions:

1. Two consecutive negative tests, 24-hours apart and
2. No fever for at least 72 hours. That means 3 full days of no fever without the use of medicine that reduces fever and
3. Other symptoms have improved (your cough and/or shortness of breath)

Staff:

• If you or a family member are being tested for or diagnosed with COVID-19, please inform your supervisor/chair and Lakeland College’s health services team (healthservicesverm@lakelandcollege.ca).
• Inform your supervisor if you are at higher risk of severe illness, (for example chronic health conditions) and take appropriate precautions to limit exposure.
• Inform your supervisor and health services if you have traveled through a travel advisory area.
• Permanent, continuing, sessional full-time and temporary employees must record absences in PeopleSoft under Special Leave. Please ensure to use the dropdown menu in “User Field 5” and select the applicable COVID 19 option/s. ​

• Contact your instructors as well as health services at healthservicesverm@lakelandcollege.ca.
• Appropriate accommodations will be made if you have to self-isolate.

Commons hours

The Commons will close earlier on weeknights starting on Wednesday March 25.

• both campus libraries will now be open from 8:15 am to 8 pm weekdays.
• Saturday and Sunday hours in Vermilion are 10 am to 5 pm
• Saturday and Sunday hours in Lloydminster are 1 pm to 8 pm

Practice social distancing

If you do have to go to the library, please remember to practice social distancing and other preventive practice:

• keep a minimum of 3 to 6 feet from other people
• cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue. Dispose of tissue and wash your hands.
• sanitize or wash your hands when you enter and leave the library as well as before and after using a computer keyboard.or other objects

Library supported online resources

If you are looking for library services, you can access many of them online. This quick tip sheet includes:

• online catalogue
• e-books
• article databses
• online research guides
• Hoopla - free e-books and audio books

Contacts

Lloydminster campus:

• Tami Smith, accessibility advisor, at tami.smith@lakelandcollege.ca
• Kristine Bertoia. admin assistant, at kristine.bertoia@lakelandcollege.ca

Vermilion campus:

• Dale Pearce, accessibility advisor, at dale.pearce@lakelandcollege.ca
• Darla Yonkman, admin assistant, at darla.yonkman@lakelandcollege.ca

For students

Your email needs to include:

• exam date and time
• Your instructor’s name
• Course name and code
• If you know, the mode of exam delivery – D2L, Pearson, emailed, paper copy

For faculty & staff

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:

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.

2020 Convocation 
The convocation ceremonies scheduled for May 28 at the Lloydminster campus and June 4 at the Vermilion campus have been postponed. Lakeland is exploring alternatives to celebrate this important milestone. 

Apply to graduate
Students in their final year of study must apply to graduate so they can receive a parchment. The deadline to apply to graduate has been extended to April 30.  Students can apply through their My Lakeland account.

Recreation Facilities

As part of our ongoing prevention response to the COVID-19 virus, along with the Government of Alberta’s direction and for the safety of our staff, students and patrons, the Vermilion Recreation Centre and Lloydminster gymnasium are closed to public use. The closures include:

• all parts of the Vermilion complex including swimming pool, gymnasium, weight room and all Be Fit for Life and other programs
• the Lloydminster gymnasium and weight room

Can I cancel my membership?

For more information about COVID-19, please consult the following websites:

• Alberta Health Services
• AHS sellf assessment tool
• online health care app
• Government of Alberta
• Global Affairs Canada
• Public Health Agency of Canada
• World Health Organization
• WHO advice for the public: Myth Busters
• International Air Transport Association Travel Centre

• Got Questions about Social Distancing? Here's What you Need to Know - CBC Health
• Coronavirus, Social Distancing and Self Quarantine from John Hopkins Medicine
• Social Distancing and the Health of Our Community - video from Ottawa Public Health. Information is presented in English and repeated in French.
• Alberta fact sheet on social distancing (pdf)
• Social distancing scorecard

• John Hopkins Medicine coronavirus resource centre including real time map dashboard
• Learn about the 200 different coronavirses and how they spread in this scrolling graphic
• A visual history of pandemics
• A corona virus simulator developed by the Washington Post
• Another Virtual Capitalist graphic showing what countries are flattening the curve
• Financial Times dashboard tracking COVID-19
• Our World in Data has statistics and research.
• The corona virus explained in a video
• Glossary of COVID-19 terms

For more information about COVID-19, please consult the following websites:

• Alberta Health Services
• Government of Alberta
• Global Affairs Canada
• Public Health Agency of Canada
• World Health Organization