COVID-19 FAQs

The college has established a process to streamline the approval and planning of components of courses and programs that need to be delivered on campus.

• WorkSafeBC, as part of the COVID-19 returning to safe operation guidelines requires all employers to: 
  • “ensure that everyone entering the workplace, including workers from other employers, knows how to keep themselves safe while at the workplace”; 
  • “ensure everyone is trained on the measures the employer has put in place and the policies around staying home when sick”. 
• More information and links at WorkSafeBC and BC Centre for Disease Control. 

All Camosun employees must take the training prior to returning to campus.

• The COVID-19 Employee Safety Training is online and available here.

• As with all training, the length of time it takes an individual to complete varies with a number of individual factors. However, the majority of people should expect to complete in less than 30 minutes.

• WorkSafeBC requires all employees on campus to complete a COVID-19 Self-Assessment Symptoms Screening form to confirm that they do not have COVID-19 symptoms. The Initial Self-Assessment Symptoms Screening form in the employee training is the first screening that must be done before the employee is permitted to return to campus. After this initial screening, the employee needs to complete a similar COVID-19 Daily Self-Assessment Symptoms Screening form each day before they come to campus.

• The Initial Symptoms Screening asks employees to respond to yes/no statements about potential risks associated with COVID-19: Have you recently traveled (within the last 2 weeks) outside of Canada? Have you had close contact with someone who has travelled outside of Canada in the last 14 days who became ill? Are you currently experiencing any of the following symptoms (fever, fatigue, cough shortness of breath, muscle aches & pains, runny/stuffy no, loss of sense of smell, sore throat, headaches, loss of appetite)?
• If the employee responds “yes” to any of these questions, they are automatically informed they are not permitted to complete the training nor attend campus at this time and are directed to contact their WPL.
• The symptoms screening form does not ask the employee to disclose any specific information regarding symptoms or other health related information.

• At the end of the COVID-19 Employee Safety training, employees are required to complete a Declaration which acknowledges that they have read and understood the training; that while on campus they will abide by the health and safety recommendations of WorkSafeBC, the BCCDC and the Provincial Health Officer; that they commit to completing a daily screening assessment while on campus; and that they certify that all of the information provided is true. Upon submitting this acknowledgement, the employee’s name, C-number, department and confirmation of declaration is automatically sent via email to Human Resources (hlrd@camosun.bc.ca).
• This automatic email does not contain any personal health information. Once this email is received, the training completion is associated with the employee’s Colleague record similar to how other mandatory training is retained for employees.
• No personal health information is tracked or associated with the employee’s Colleague record.

• The automatic email is stored in Outlook email hlrd@camosun.bc.ca. This email is accessible by the Organization and People Development team. The completion of training is also stored in the employee’s Colleague record, which is accessible to anyone who has authorized access to the employee’s Colleague record.
• The data will be used solely for the purposes of ensuring our employees and the College are in compliance with WorkSafeBC requirements.

• The Employee FAQ in the main Camosun COVID-19 information provides information about missing work due to COVID19 symptoms. In addition, Camosun has published a Directive for all students and employees related to Absences from Campus Due to COVID-19.

• A small number of employees are returning to campus at this time.
• Safe Start Camosun has a process for approval for employees and programs to return to campus. If you are uncertain about whether you are approved to return to campus, please talk to your Workplace Leader.

Please note:

• Camosun’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) assessments are currently focused on ensuring learning spaces are ready for students over the summer and fall and therefore, most common workspaces have not yet undergone an OHS safety assessment and are not ready to receive employees.
• Facilities may require that alternate spaces be used to avoid unnecessarily spreading activity across multiple spaces and as some internal areas of buildings are closed off following high-intensity cleaning. Faculty offices remain accessible.
• Employees are required to follow the advice of the BC Centre for Disease Control and the Provincial Health Officer, including physical distancing and hand hygiene.
• Any employee with symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat or sneezing needs to stay home

• The notification process is outlined in the B.C.’s Government COVID-19 Go-Forward Guidelines for B.C.’s Post-Secondary Sector.
• Notification of COVID-19 cases and exposures at post-secondary institutions is managed by public health authorities. Post-secondary institutions may be asked to assist public health authorities in notifying close contacts such as students, faculty or staff of a confirmed case by assisting in the identification of people who may have been exposed, distribution of materials prepared by the public health authorities, or supporting public notification efforts.
• If students, faculty or staff receive a confirmed positive COVID-19 test result, health authorities follow a rigorous protocol:
  • Contact tracing is initiated to determine how the individual was infected and who they were in close contact with.
  • Close contacts that are at an increased risk are identified and notified and advised to self-isolate and monitor for symptoms for 14 days.
  • Only health authorities can determine who is a close contact.
  • Health authorities will work closely with post-secondary institutions throughout the case and contact management process to enable appropriate communication with the campus community

• Notification protocols are outlined in the B.C. Government’s COVID-19 Go-Forward Guidelines for B.C.’s Post-Secondary Sector.
• Post-secondary institutions should not send out notifications of COVID-19 cases unless directed to do so by their local Medical Health Officer.
• Public health authorities are responsible for determining notification processes and requirements.

• Don a mask and immediately leave campus
• Go directly home with no stops along the way
• Complete the BC Self Assessment tool/ call 811 and follow the instructions
• Inform their instructor and follow the instructions in the directive:  Absence from Campus due to Covid-19

• Under the guidance of the Provincial Health Officer and the BCCDC, it is important to err on the side of caution when experiencing any symptom related to COVID-19. 
• Testing is recommended for anyone with cold, influenza or COVID-19-like symptoms, even mild ones. For more information on testing and where to go for testing, visit the Testing page. 
• The B.C. COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool is also available for anyone that develops symptoms and can be used to help determine if you need further assessment or testing for COVID-19. Testing is especially important for groups that are more vulnerable to complications from COVID-19, or people who care for these individuals. 

• Please refer to the new college-wide directive Absence from Campus due to Covid-19.

• Not complying with daily screenings should be treated the same way as non-compliance with any other college directive.
• If a student declines to comply with daily screenings, faculty have the option of asking the student to leave the campus and if necessary calling security to remove the student from campus.

• If you have concerns about another person’s health it is appropriate to politely and respectfully point out any visible signs such as coughing, sneezing or if they generally look unwell.
• If symptoms are causing concern you can ask the person to go home and phone 8-1-1 for direction.

• Anyone who exhibits COVID-19 should call 8-1-1.
• If a public health official asks for them to be tested for COVID-19, we can determine the next course of action based on the test results and public health direction.
• If a test comes back negative but symptoms persist, the person is asked to stay home until the symptoms abate.
• If students or employees ask questions, reassure them to remain calm, continue to wash their hands frequently, maintain physical distancing and monitor their own health.
• As we enter the flu season these situations are going to become more common.
• As Dr. Bonnie Henry says: “Be kind. Be calm. Be safe.”
• Island Health will contact the college in the event there is a need for contact tracing.

• People are understandably feeling a lot more anxious and stressed at this time.
• The best thing to do is to provide employees with thorough information on the safety measures and controls in place.
• Reassure employees that frequent hand washing, maintaining physical distance, avoiding touching their face and wearing a mask in common spaces or when physical distancing cannot be consistently maintained is, to date, the most effective control measure known.
• If an employee still feels unsafe, it is important to do everything in our power to allow them to make informed decisions and follow WorkSafeBC’s regulations and requirements at all times.

• Instructors can access this information and are asked to verify students’ training completion prior to their arrival to campus.
• Students are asked to save a copy of training results and share with their instructors.

• Spaces on campus that have gone through an OHS assessment can only be used for approved activities or programs.
• Please avoid dropping in and using unoccupied spaces.

• At this time we are encouraging employees to meet virtually whenever possible.

Section 4.8.3 of the federal government’s fall economic statement addressed this issue with the following:

“To simplify the process for both taxpayers and businesses, the CRA will allow employees working from home in 2020 due to COVID-19 with modest expenses to claim up to $400, based on the amount of time working from home, without the need to track detailed to track detailed expenses, and will generally not request that people provide a signed form from their employers. This measure will help taxpayers access deductions they are entitled to receive and simplify the tax filing process.”

Camosun College will provide further updates as additional information from the CRA becomes available.

Employees – Please contact your supervisor, manager, chair, director or dean immediately if you are absent for reasons of illness and follow your normal sick leave protocol as per your contract.

The college has waived the requirement for a doctor’s note for students and employees who are required to self-isolate. In such cases, you are required to let your supervisor or school know.

Self-isolation is required for individuals who have returned from travel outside of Canada or have had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

A COVID-19 self-assessment tool is available at https://bc.thrive.health/covid19.

• If the medical absence is related to COVID-19 and the employee continues to be ill after their initial sick leave period (* this period is dependent on your employee group) then, the employee would be required to apply for short-term disability benefits as per standard process. For more information on the College’s sick leave processes, visit our Intranet.

• Wherever possible, employees should work remotely. It is recognized that not all employees have positions that may be performed remotely. In those situations, employees need to speak to their supervisors about the specifics of their circumstances to assess whether a temporary alternative schedule can be arranged, what leave provisions may be utilized under their collective agreement/terms and conditions, or refer them to other leaves that may be accessible to them.
• Employees who are not sick but unable to work because they are self-isolating in accordance with public health guidance are entitled to either an applicable leave under the collective agreement or to two (2) weeks of CRSB and unpaid leave under section 52.12(2)(b) of the Employment Standards Act.

A. Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)

This benefit provides $500 per week for up to 2 weeks to individual employees who are unable to work because they have:

• contracted or might have contracted COVID-19;
• an underlying condition, sickness or are undergoing treatment that makes them more susceptible to COVID-19 in the opinion of a medical/nurse practitioner or government/public health authority; or,
• isolated themselves on the advice of their employer, medical/nurse practitioner or government/public health authority for reasons related to COVID-19.

B. Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)
This benefit provides $500 per week for up to 26 weeks per household where an employee is unable to work because they have to provide care to a child under 12 years or family member requiring supervised care (which could include a child over age 12) because:

• the school or facility the child or family member normally attends is closed, or open only at certain times or for certain children, for reasons related to COVID-19;
• the child or family member could not attend their school or facility because:
  • they contracted or might have contracted COVID-19,
  • they are isolating on the advice of a medical/nurse practitioner or government/public health authority for reasons related to COVID-19, or
  • they would be at risk of serious health complications if they contracted COVID-19;
• the person who normally provides care to the child or care services to the family member is not available for reasons related to COVID-19 (e.g. a babysitter or nanny is sick or isolating).

C. Canada Recovery Benefit
This benefit provides $500 per week for two-week periods up to 26 weeks total to employed and self-employed individuals who are directly affected by COVID-19 and are not entitled to Employment Insurance (EI) benefits (and the employee did not apply for or receive CRSB or CRCB).

Details: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-benefit.htm

• Employees need to report any absence or anticipated absence related to COVID-19 directly to their supervisor, or exempt manager if the supervisor is not reachable. Additional information may be requested depending on the situation.
• Depending on the nature of the absence, the employee may be referred to the Employee Health Advisor.

Camosun’s employee and family assistance program provider, Homewood Health, is shifting to telephone-based counselling – see their latest update.

• Parking as a taxable benefit had been removed for all staff from May until August 31, 2020.

Pay parking resumes at regular rates in lots at both campuses starting July 1.

Daily, weekly, and monthly parking permits can be purchased at the Robbins parking meters on campus with each lot. The meters also accept cash (coins) and all major credit cards. Monthly passes can also be purchased directly from Robbins Parking. For questions about payment and meters please contact Robbins Parking at 250-382-4411.

For a touch free experience, Camosun has partnered with Honk Mobile for a convenient pay by app option. With the app, users can: access directions to the lot, pay for their parking spot, receive alerts when time is almost up and easily purchase additional time. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices.

Please note that parking rates and services are in effect Monday to Saturday, 7am - 10pm. Staff and short-term lots are available for general use after 5 pm with the purchase of a parking permit. Overnight parking is not allowed.

Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking spaces cannot be guaranteed or reserved. Staff parking reminder--as always please display proper staff parking permit while on campus.

For more details and to download the Honk Mobile app, please visit: camosun.ca/parking