COVID-19 & safe return to campus resources & information

Both Fraser Health and the BC Centre for Disease Control recommend self-isolation if you have symptoms or have a positive COVID-19 test.

• Healthlink BC or call 8-1-1  
• Fraser Health
• BC CDC

Students are responsible for notifying their instructor if they are unable to attend class due to illness. Instructors have been asked to be understanding of students’ situations, though decisions regarding attendance are at the discretion of individual instructors. Any resources or supplemental information that can be shared via Blackboard or other means may be available to students who have to miss class due to illness or isolation requirements. These are some further resources to be prepared if you need to miss class.

In April, the Province entered a new phase of pandemic response, removing public health mandates and related restrictions in most situations. What this means for Douglas College, and all post-secondary institutions, is a shift to a more general communicable disease prevention and response plan.  

Throughout the pandemic, Douglas College has followed the guidance provided by the Provincial Health Officer, WorkSafe BC and public health authorities to make decisions with the health and safety of our employees and students as our primary consideration.   

As we enter this new phase, the College continues to follow the guidance of public health. We are monitoring updates and will respond swiftly and accordingly should the situation change. 

Moving into the Summer Semester and beyond, this is what to expect on campus: 

• Masks (personal choice) 
  The Provincial Health Officer maintains that masks are an effective way to reduce the likelihood of transmission and encourages everyone to make choices depending on personal circumstances. Many members of our campus community may continue to choose to wear a mask and we encourage understanding and compassion for people’s individual circumstances and choices. 
   
• Proof of vaccination (no longer required) 
  Proof of vaccination is no longer required for any activity, including those limited activities that were subject to this original restriction.  

As things continue to shift and change, there is still much each of us can do to support a healthy and safe campus community: 

• Do not come to campus if you’re ill or are experiencing symptoms, even if you test negative for COVID-19. 

• Get vaccinated, if you’re able. Vaccination against COVID-19 is the most effective way to prevent or reduce transmission. 

• Practice appropriate hand hygiene. Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds using soap and water.  

• Practice compassion. Everyone’s comfort level and experience is different. Please continue to act with compassion and respect for campus community members’ personal choices. 

On Thursday, March 10, the Provincial Health Officer announced that face masks will no longer be required in most public indoor settings. 

Post-secondary institutions, such as Douglas College, continue to be low-risk settings for COVID-19 transmission. Throughout the pandemic, Douglas College has made decisions in alignment with guidance from the Provincial Health Officer and with the health and safety of our employees and students as our primary consideration. With this guidance, starting Friday, March 11, masks will be optional and no longer required on campus. 

As mandates and health restrictions continue to change, we are reminded that everyone’s comfort level is different, and we must continue to act with compassion and respect for our campus colleagues and partners. In this instance, some people may choose to continue to wear a mask on campus. This choice is an individual one and needs to be respected.  

Thank you for your continued patience and adaptability as we navigate the pandemic together. 

Douglas College has received over 14,000 COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test kits from the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training for distribution to employees and students. Each employee and student will have the option to pick-up one (1) Rapid Antigen Test kit that includes five (5) individual tests for at-home personal use.  

Test kits are being provided to all B.C. post-secondary employees and students to support personal testing when COVID-19 symptoms are experienced. Tests are intended for personal at-home use.   

Student Test Kit Distribution 

All for-credit students have the option to pick-up one (1) Rapid Antigen Test kit that includes five (5) individual tests starting Monday, March 7 at either the New Westminster or Coquitlam Campus Bookstore. 

A valid Douglas College Student ID must be shown at pick-up, and students may only pick-up kits for themselves. 

Employee Test Kit Distribution 

For employees, please read the DC Connect post to see where and when kits will be available. 

Do not come to campus if you’re sick or have symptoms.   

Please be reminded that even if a negative test result is received, students and employees should not return to campus until they are no longer feeling ill or are no longer experiencing symptoms. For more information on testing and what to do if you test positive visit:  

• Healthlink BC or call 8-1-1     

• Fraser Health   

• BC CDC 

Health Canada rapid antigen test misuse alert [Updated March 3] 

Health Canada issued an alert about the potential risks associated with the misuse of rapid antigen tests including the accidental ingestion or spillage of the solution in the kits. Many tests include a solution that may be poisonous if swallowed or absorbed through the skin. 

For more information on how to avoid the risks associated with the misuse of rapid antigen test kits, visit Health Canada's website.