Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any questions not covered here, email safety@rrc.ca or call 204-632-2238.
RRC’s ongoing response to COVID-19
Do you anticipate any further disruptions to programs at the College?
News regarding COVID-19 is changing regularly and our Incident Management Team is monitoring it closely.
Our response plan allows us to be adaptable and to respond to the changes as quickly as possible.
Right now, it’s too early to speculate if there will be future disruptions to programming and our operations, but we’re monitoring it closely and will continue to keep our College community informed about the steps we’re taking in the interest of their health and safety. All updates will be posted on our website.
Will students be able to complete their courses this year and graduate on-time?
Right now, the goal is to reduce personal contact. Red River College is moving forward with the transition to alternative delivery models for programs and services starting Monday, March 23.
This means education and training will continue for RRC students, who were on a study break from March 16-20. However, no classes will be held on campus until the end of the winter term (up to and including May 1). All practicums are being cancelled for this term as a result of widespread disruption in workplaces across the province.
What else is the College doing?
The College has suspended all work-related international and domestic air travel outside of Manitoba and we have cancelled all College events and large gatherings. We’ve restricted the number of on-campus meetings to only those that are essential to our core operations.
How will the College provide timely updates related to COVID-19?
This website is the primary method of informing the community. We will also regularly communicate through All Staff and Student emails.
In addition to the updates you’ll receive in Staff/Student News every morning, all RRC staff and students are now able to subscribe to daily updates from our website that include the most up-to-date information regarding RRC’s response to COVID-19.
To subscribe, please visit our Coronavirus Information website and click on SIGN UP TODAY in the “Email Updates” sidebar. The updates will go out at 3:00 p.m. daily.
What is RRC doing to increase cleaning on campus?
Facilities and Campus Services has increased all cleaning and sanitizing measures throughout our campuses, and additional supplies and disinfectants have been added to inventories to ensure we can maintain and expand these efforts as required.
Health and Safety
If I suspect I have the virus, what should I do?
Before you seek testing for COVID-19, you are encouraged to access the online screening tool created by Shared Health. Shared Health advises that the tool is not a medical assessment. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, seek medical attention or call 911. This service is not a substitute for consulting with your doctor.
If you have flu-like symptoms and have not been exposed to an affected region, follow normal protocols by staying home and contact your health care provider or contact Health Links/Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or toll-free at 1-888-315-9257.
If you have flu-like symptoms and have travelled internationally to an affected region, follow normal protocols by staying home and contact your health care provider or Health Links. Please call the health care provider in advance to notify them that you will be attending the office.
If you are returning from an affected area, provincial health authorities ask that you self-isolate for 14 days and call ahead to a health care professional. Do the same if you develop symptoms and have been in contact with a confirmed case or a traveller returning from the affected area with these symptoms.
Tell your health-care professional:
- Your symptoms
- Where you have been travelling or living
- If you had direct contact with animals (e.g. if you have visited a live-animal market)
- If you had close contact with a sick person, especially if they had a fever, cough or difficulty breathing
You do not need to contact RRC Health Services to report personal travel before you leave, BUT, prior to returning to work or class from personal travel, you MUST call RRC Health Services at 204-632-2238 to ensure your destination hasn’t fallen under a travel advisory. If no one is available to answer your call, please follow the instructions in the message.
What happens if I voluntarily quarantine myself because I think I may have COVID-19?
If you think you may have been exposed to COVD-19, you should contact Health Links/Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or toll-free at 1-888-315-9257 for advice on accessing health care services. Based on your travel history and symptoms you may or may not be advised by a health care provider to quarantine yourself. You also may or may not be advised of the need to seek medical care for your symptoms.
What do I do if one of my family members become sick?
Isolate the individual from others as much as possible and follow normal protocols. Please refer to Health Canada for the most-up-to-date information regarding self-isolation. Please call RRC Health Services at 204-632-2238 prior to attending campus.
When should I self-isolate?
Global Affairs is now instructing all Canadians who are travelling internationally to come home while commercial means are available. We are now instructing everyone who has returned from international travel to self-isolate/monitor for 14 days. Please refer to Health Canada for the most-up-to-date information regarding self-isolation.
I have returned from international travel and am required to self-isolate. What do I do?
Please contact RRC’s Health Centre at 204-632-2238. If you are experiencing symptoms, please also contact Health Links/Info Santé at 1-888-315-9257.
If you are self-isolating and are able to work, the following options would apply:
- Work from home where appropriate. Working from home guidelines have been developed to support managers and employees.
- Use of vacation, Voluntary Reduced Work Week (VRWW), and/or overtime.
- Use of sick leave or other forms of approved leave.
A sick note is not required.
A family member or person in my home has travelled internationally. What should I do?
Please contact the Health Centre at 204-632-2238.
If your family member has returned from international travel and is self-isolating, you should self-monitor yourself for symptoms, and you can continue to attend work if applicable. If your family member develops symptoms you should then self-isolate as you would be considered having ‘close contact’. If your family member tests negative for the virus, you may continue as normal (self-monitor).
How do I clean my cell phone?
The Government of Canada recommends cleaning high-touch surfaces frequently in order to reduce the risk of spreading disease and infection. Use a lint-free cloth lightly moistened with warm soapy water to clean the surface of your phone. Ensure moisture doesn’t enter any openings. Cleaning products and disinfectants may scratch your cellphone and can diminish the screen’s protective coating.
Please check with your phone’s manufacturer for specific instructions on how to clean your particular phone model.
What Mental Health and Counselling Resources does the College provide for staff and students?
During this time of uncertainty it’s natural that our stress response will kick in. Click here for a full listing of Mental Health and Counselling Resources at Red River College as well as some immediate actions that can be helpful at this time.
Be sure to subscribe to the Wellness newsletter to receive a variety of resources to support you through this difficult time.