COVID-19: Update on Public Health Orders

A message from Shelley Kayfish, Director, Campus Operations and Risk Management, Co-chair, UBC Okanagan Resumption Planning and Coordination Committee; Michael Burgess, Associate Provost, Strategy, UBC Okanagan, Professor and Chair in Biomedical Ethics, School of Population and Public Health, UBC Faculty of Medicine, Co-chair, UBC Okanagan Resumption Planning and Coordination Committee

Last Thursday, BC Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry issued new Public Health Orders for all health regions in British Columbia. The orders are in place through December 7, 2020, and call on all individuals, places of work and businesses in BC to significantly reduce social interactions and travel.

Read the BC Government’s province-wide restrictions

What does this mean for faculty and staff?

While many faculty and staff continue to work remotely, some members of our community are working on campus. The updated Public Health Orders reinforce the requirement for all faculty and staff to self-assess daily for symptoms of COVID-19, before arriving at their workplace. Please use the BC self-assessment tool at bc.thrive.health. Anyone experiencing symptoms should follow the guidance provided in the self-assessment tool.

The Public Health Orders have also clarified the need for those responsible for UBC COVID-19 Safety Plans review those plan to ensure they clearly reflect the need for daily self-assessment, as well as making sure adequate measures are in place to ensure safety within small office spaces, break rooms, kitchens, and informal learning spaces.

Read the full message