Confirmed case of COVID-19 at EDC

Posted: February 19, 2021

The following message was sent to all Red River College students, faculty and staff this afternoon from Melanie Gudmundson, Chief Human Resources Officer:

Red River College was advised today that a member of our community has tested positive for COVID-19. We wish them a quick recovery.

Due to the stringent safety measures in place, Public Health considers this case low risk. At this time, we can share the following information:

• The case involves an individual at the Exchange District Campus. The last time they were on campus was Friday, February 12. They were asymptomatic at the time.
  • Their activity was limited to one area of the College and they were following the appropriate safety protocols.
  • Everyone connected to this case has been contacted by the College. They have all been advised to follow Public Health advice to self-monitor and have been instructed to contact the Health Centre should their condition change.
  • Regular cleaning and disinfection protocols have since been completed to the affected space and surrounding areas.

EDC remains open and no programs or services are impacted.

We want to remind everyone – on and off campus – to continue to follow the advice from public in order to limit the spread of the virus. For more information on the fundamentals and best practices, please click here.

For more important information on our protocols if you or someone in your household is experiencing symptoms, please click here.

Thank you for continuing to do your part to keep each other safe.

Updates, if required, will be provided via email and will be shared online at rrc.ca/coronavirus

Red River College shares update on 2021 – 2022 academic planning

Posted: February 17, 2021

The following message was sent to all Red River College students, faculty and staff this afternoon from RaeAnn Thibeault, Executive Director, Academic and Melanie Gudmundson, Chief Human Resources Officer:

Red River College continues to navigate the uncertainty caused by the pandemic. As we look towards the future, we also look to the important lessons we have learned over the last year to help guide our planning for the 2021-2022 academic term this fall.

We know our current and prospective students have questions about what our programs and classes will look like. We want you to know that our planning is already well underway to ensure we are able to offer the high calibre of learning our community expects from Red River College.

As current public health orders continue to evolve and adapt to the pandemic’s pressures, we continue to work collaboratively with Public Health, who has told us that a blended approach combining both remote and in-person working and learning will continue to be part of our College’s operations for the rest of the calendar year – including the fall 2021 academic term. Knowing this now means that we can better inform our planning to help shape our operations and programs moving forward.

For our international learners, we can share that the federal government recently announced changes to ensure international students can continue to study online in their home countries until Dec 31, 2021 – extended from the initial April 30, 2021 deadline. International students can read more about these measures and the Post-Graduate Work Permit criteria here.

As we continue to move forward in our planning process, we are committed to keeping you informed and sharing information as it becomes available.

Updates will be provided via email and will be shared online at rrc.ca/coronavirus

 

Confirmed case of COVID-19 at NDC

Posted: February 9, 2021

The following message was sent to all Red River College students, faculty and staff this afternoon from Melanie Gudmundson, Chief Human Resources Officer:

Red River College was advised today that a member of our community has tested positive for COVID-19. We wish them a quick recovery.

Due to the stringent safety measures in place, Public Health considers this case low risk. At this time, we can share the following information:

• The case involves an individual at the Notre Dame Campus. The last time they were on campus was Tuesday, February 2. They were asymptomatic at the time.
  • Their activity was limited to one area of the College and they were following all of the appropriate safety protocols.
  • There are no close-contacts connected to this case as their time on-campus was brief and limited.
• Regular cleaning and disinfection protocols have been completed in the affected space and surrounding areas.

NDC remains open and no programs or services are impacted.

We want to remind everyone – on and off campus – to continue to follow the advice from public in order to limit the spread of the virus. For more information on the fundamentals and best practices, please click here.

For more important information on our protocols if you or someone in your household is experiencing symptoms, please click here.

Thank you for continuing to do your part to keep each other safe.

Updates, if required, will be provided via email and will be shared online at rrc.ca/coronavirus

COVID-19 VACCINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH UPDATE

Posted: January 27, 2021

The following message was sent to all Red River College students, faculty and staff this evening from Melanie Gudmundson, Chief Human Resources Officer:

Today, the Manitoba Government shared their plans for the province-wide distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. I would encourage everyone to take some time to review the Province’s plan as it outlines their timelines and priorities to ensure that our health-care workers and most vulnerable Manitoban’s continue to receive the vaccine first.

Understandably, many of us are anxious to receive the vaccine and as the eligibility and availability of the vaccine expands, we will continue to provide accurate and up to date information to ensure our College community is informed, and has the opportunity to access the vaccine when it becomes available.

While we recognize that it may be a number of months before the vaccine is widely available to members of our College community, we will continue to follow the advice of Public Health for the continued safety of everyone working and learning at the College.

Today’s announcement also indicated that discussions are underway to define essential workers so they may be included as part of the province’s vaccine rollout plan, based on the availability of vaccine. We’re continuing our conversations with Public Health in this regard and will keep you informed as those discussions unfold.

 

UPDATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

Yesterday, the Province took additional steps to tighten restrictions around interprovincial travel. Starting Jan. 29 anyone entering Manitoba from anywhere in Canada will be required to self-isolate for 14 days. This includes those entering from northern and Western Canada, and from west of Terrace Bay in Ontario, which under previous orders did not require self-isolation.

If you’re currently outside of the province and unable to return prior to Jan. 29 and the required 14-day self-isolation requirement will affect your ability to attend work or your program, please contact your instructor or supervisor.

Public Health orders strongly recommend against any non-essential travel and we encourage our staff and faculty to follow this important advice. A reminder that all Red River College related domestic and international travel has been suspended. Employees who still intend to travel for non-essential purposes against the advice of Public Health must ensure they discuss with their supervisor in advance as approval of the additional self-isolation period may not be authorized.

For more information related to travel please click here.

For more information and frequently asked questions please click here.

Thank you for your continued diligence and support as we work to keep each other safe.

 

Province of Manitoba announces 14-day isolation after return from anywhere outside the province

Posted: January 26, 2021

The Province of Manitoba is amending public health orders to formally restrict interprovincial travel. As of Friday, Jan. 29, anyone entering Manitoba from anywhere in Canada will be required to self-isolate for 14 days. This includes those entering from northern and Western Canada, and from west of Terrace Bay in Ontario, which under previous health orders did not require self-isolation.

Manitobans currently out-of-province will have until 11:59 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 28 to return to the province without being required to self-isolate. If they arrive after that time, they must self-isolate as appropriate on their return.

For more information, please click here.

Safety and Health Services Implements Medical Grade Masks and Eye Protection Protocol for Labs and Workshops

Posted: January 26, 2021

Red River College continues to monitor and adapt our COVID-19 policies and procedures to best respond to the safety needs of students and faculty who are working and learning on campus.

After careful review of current policy and consultation with Public Health, Safety and Health Services has determined new College requirements for personal protective equipment on campus. Effective immediately, students and faculty who are on campus for labs, workshops, or any hands-on, practical learning environment will be required to wear College issued medical grade masks and eye protection.

Most areas providing on-campus learning are already using medical grade masks and approved eye protection as part of their standard program requirements. If your department is already using medical grade masks (no cloth masks) and approved eye protection as part of your standard program requirements, no further action is required.

Why was this decision made?

We continuously monitor and align the college with best practices for personal protective equipment. Medical grade masks provide a protective barrier against droplet contact and eye protection adds additional droplet contact protection. The combination of a medical grade mask and eye protection significantly decreases the risk of exposure.

How are supplies ordered?

The program will be responsible for ordering supplies. Supplies are available through Procurement. The supplies list can be found here.

Who pays for the implementation of this required PPE?

If your program required eye protection prior to Covid-19, students should continue to purchase their eye protection through the Campus Store. Departments can obtain eye protection through Procurement.

If eye protection is an additional item for staff and students due to Covid-19, then this cost will be covered by the Covid-19 budget. Eye protection for students and faculty can be obtained through Procurement.

Medical grade masks are available through Procurement in packages of 5 for students and faculty.

Can I still wear my own mask?

No, students and faculty will be required to wear College issued medical grade masks and eye protection while participating in labs, workshops, and other hands on learning settings. Personal cloth masks will not be permitted in these areas and must be removed before entering these spaces.

What if I have a three-layer mask?

The College has made this decision to better protect the College community and reduce the risk of close contact transmission. A consistent approach is important, as it can be difficult to determine the type of cloth mask someone is wearing and whether it is an approved three-layer mask with a filter.

Are my prescription glasses sufficient?

No. Eye protection must have side protection to ensure droplet contact precautions. Eye protection that can be worn over your prescription glasses can be ordered through Procurement.

Do I require eye protection if I currently wear a face shield as part of my required PPE?

Please contact Safety and Health Services for an assessment of your face shield to determine if it meets public health requirements.

I currently use eye protection as part of my program, do I need to replace them?

No. You do not need to replace them. The eye protection that has been designated for the program meets the public health guidelines.

How do I clean my reusable eye protection?

Each faculty and student will have their own eyewear.  They can be worn for the duration of the program unless they become damaged. All surfaces of the eye protection should be cleaned on a daily basis with the approved cleaners available through procurement.

Who will enforce this new protocol?

Faculty will be responsible for communicating and enforcing the new protocol.

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation as we work to keep our campuses safe. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact Safety and Health Services at safety@rrc.ca

For more information about Red River College’s COVID-19 policies and procedures, including our FAQs, please visit https://www.rrc.ca/coronavirus/.

 

Top five things you need to know about campus life

Posted: January 18, 2021

Our Winter Term is off the ground and employees and students are back to business, whether virtually or on campus.

While we continue to operate and deliver education during the pandemic, we wanted to recap where things stand on and off campus. Here are five things you need to know:

1. Campus access: All employees, students, and visitors must follow certain steps before arriving at, and upon entering, any RRC campus. This includes, but is not limited to, completing the self-screening tool through Shared Health, entering campus through a designated entrance, and more. Review the steps/campus access checklist so you’re prepared.
2. Health and safety measures: Everyone on campus must wear a medical grade face mask and follow physical distancing protocols while on campus. To enhance safety on campus, we recently purchased Clorox 360 Electrostatic Sprayer Systems that release a mist to disinfect spaces like labs, classrooms, washrooms, and other areas. Watch this video to see how our sprayers work.
3. Current operational status: RRC uses a colour-coded approach to share our current operational status. Our response levels range from green (limited risk) to yellow (caution) to orange (restricted) to red (critical). Right now our level is orange, which indicates community transmission of COVID-19 is occurring but there is low risk at RRC campuses. Learn what each level means.
4. Help is available on and off campus: See our full listing of student supports. We also have supports for working on campus and working from home.
5. Where to find information: Visit the coronavirus section of our website, Staff Forum (employees only), and watch your College email to stay informed on the latest news.

Here’s to another successful term. We wish everyone the best in your work and studies at Red River College.

Confirmed case of COVID-19 at NDC

Posted: January 18, 2021

The following message was sent to all Red River College students, faculty and staff this morning from Melanie Gudmundson, Chief Human Resources Officer:

On Friday, we were advised that a second member of the Red River College community tested positive for COVID-19. This case is not connected to the case we advised of earlier that morning and is not the result of community transmission on campus. We wish them, and everyone else at the College affected by this virus a quick recovery.

We will continue to work with Public Health in support of their ongoing investigation, and those who have been identified as close contacts have been advised to self-isolate. At this time, we can share the following information:

• This case involves an individual at the Notre Dame Campus and the last time they were on campus was Tuesday, January 12^th.
  • Their activity was limited to one area of the College.
• Everyone connected to this case has been contacted by the College. They have all been advised to follow Public Health advice to self-monitor or self-isolate, and have been instructed to contact the Health Centre should their condition change.
• Regular cleaning and disinfection protocols have since been completed to the affected space and surrounding areas.

NDC remains open, the impacted class has temporarily transitioned to online learning and no other programs or services are impacted.

We want to remind everyone – on and off campus – to continue to follow the advice from public in order to limit the spread of the virus. For more information on the fundamentals and best practices, please click here.

For more important information on our protocols if you or someone in your household is experiencing symptoms, please click here.

Thank you for continuing to do your part to keep each other safe.

Updates, if required, will be provided via email and will be shared online at rrc.ca/coronavirus

Have your say: Engage MB Survey COVID-19 Restrictions

Posted: January 15, 2021

Today, the Manitoba government released a survey on EngageMB.ca to receive feedback from Manitobans on priorities for potential easing the current COVID-19 restrictions.

We are sharing this information with you because we recognize that opportunities to offer feedback on decisions regarding gradually and safely restoring services and activities, are important to staff and students who live and work in our community.

This could include possible changes to:

• gradually expand retail shopping,
• reopen barbershops and salons, gyms and fitness centres, non-regulated health professions, restaurants, faith-based and ceremonial gatherings and organized recreation and sport; and
• possible increases to indoor, outdoor and household gathering sizes.

The intent of the survey is to help inform the government’s future decisions on restoring services safely; and provides an opportunity to provide forward-looking input that can help inform a sustainable path forward where businesses and communities can reopen safely, and stay open.

The survey also asks for Manitobans’ perspectives on the risk of the virus, COVID-19 vaccines and their comfort levels with different activities.

The Province will share any revised recommendations with Manitobans early next week for feedback prior to any changes to the current Orders.

Confirmed case of COVID-19 at NDC

Posted: January 15, 2021

The following message was sent to all Red River College students, faculty and staff this morning from Melanie Gudmundson, Chief Human Resources Officer:

Red River College was advised late yesterday that a member of our community has tested positive for COVID-19. We wish them a quick recovery.

Due to the stringent safety measures in place, Public Health considers this case low risk. At this time, we can share the following information:

• This case involves an individual at the Notre Dame Campus and the last time they were on campus was Tuesday, January 12^th. The individual was asymptomatic while on campus.

• • Their activity was limited to one area of the College and they were following all of the appropriate safety protocols.

• Everyone connected to this case has been contacted by the College. They have all been advised to follow Public Health advice to self-monitor or self-isolate, and have been instructed to contact the Health Centre should their condition change.
• Regular cleaning and disinfection protocols have since been completed to the affected space and surrounding areas.

NDC remains open and no programs or services are impacted.

We want to remind everyone – on and off campus – to continue to follow the advice from public in order to limit the spread of the virus. For more information on the fundamentals and best practices, please click here.

For more important information on our protocols if you or someone in your household is experiencing symptoms, please click here.

Thank you for continuing to do your part to keep each other safe.

Updates, if required, will be provided via email and will be shared online at rrc.ca/coronavirus