Universal Campus Protocols

Students (as well as faculty and staff) must assess themselves daily for symptoms of common cold, influenza or COVID-19 prior to attending campus. 

• Unsure about self-isolating? Use the BC COVID-19 Self Assessment Tool. If concerned, contact 8-1-1, the local public health unit, or a family physician. 

Follow directives for personal hygiene and prevention including: 

• Stay home when sick. Keep away from others until those symptoms have completely disappeared. 

• Avoid direct contact with ill people. 

• Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth.  

• Cough/sneeze into elbow or sleeve; immediately dispose of tissues and wash hands.  

• Clean individual high touch surfaces such as electronics, computer keyboards and phones frequently.  

• Avoid sharing equipment (e.g., pens, phones, other tools).  

• Do not share eating utensils. 

• Wear a mask when recommended or required by public health. 

Follow room occupancy limits on campus, when in place. 

If you are at greater risk (60 year of age or older, compromised immune system, underlying chronic medical conditions) apply extra precautions and heightened vigilance. 

Immunizations

We strongly encourage all members of our university community to get vaccinated.

By Public Health Officer order, proof of vaccination is no longer required to access businesses, events and services in BC. Vaccinations are not required for participation in on-campus classes.

COVID-19 vaccines are available free of charge in BC, including for international students and their family members aged 12 and up. Visit ImmunizeBC for information on how to receive your COVID-19 vaccine. 

Hand Hygiene

The most important thing you can do to prevent infection is to wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face. Hand washing will reduce the chances of infectious transfer from hands to various body parts – specifically the eyes, nose and mouth – or to other surfaces that are touched.  

Hand hygiene guidelines:  

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds particularly after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. 

• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains 60-90% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.  

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.  

• Wash hands upon entering a new building, when touching common use items or equipment (e.g., photocopiers, doorways), after handling cash, before and after eating, using the washroom and other breaks, etc. 

Additional Resources: 

•  BC Centre for Disease Control: Hand Hygiene 

Respiratory Etiquette

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when you cough or sneeze (avoid coughing in your hands). 

• If you used a tissue, throw it in the trash immediately. 

• Remember to immediately wash your hands after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. 

Masks

At RRU we encourage the use of masks in spaces where we are in close proximity.

If anyone in the learning community has personal health or compassionate care vulnerabilities to COVID-19, there may be a formal requirement, communicated from the program office, for everyone to wear masks.

Additional Resources: 

• BC Centre for Disease Control: Masks 

Cleaning and Disinfection Protocols

Royal Roads custodians maintain a regular cleaning schedule for all campus spaces. 

Cleaning supplies are also made available for students to use before or after using a commonly shared surface or space.

Rapid Testing

Rapid antigen testing kits are free for everyone in BC at participating pharmacies.

You can ask for a kit and you don’t have to show ID.

Here are the closest participating pharmacies to Royal Roads:

• London Drugs
• Peoples Pharmacy
• Rexall Drug Store

Not sure how to use a rapid test? Watch this video to learn how to administer the take home rapid test.

For more information, visit the Government of BC rapid testing page.  

Self-isolate if you have symptoms

• Use the self-assessment tool (bc.thrive.health) or call 8-1-1 to guide you on what to do and if you need testing.  

• If you have COVID-19 symptoms, call the Island Health COVID-19 Testing Call Centre: 1-844-901-8442 (7 days a week, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

Report your absence due to illness

• Per the COVID-19 Protocol please contact your instructor and CARE if you test positive for COVID-19
• Report your absence due to any flu-like illness to your instructor using this Student Declaration of Absence Due to Flu-Like Symptoms form.
• At this time, a doctor’s note is not required to substantiate illness related to COVID-19.  
• Any disclosed diagnosis or potential infection will be responded to as per protocols outlined in the Contingency Plan.   
• In all cases, there are strict requirements to maintain confidentiality of any such report to avoid any potential violation of privacy laws.

If your symptoms escalate seek medical attention.  Contact your health care provider or call 8-1-1. 

If you test positive for COVID-19

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, follow the self-isolation or quarantine directions provided by your health care provider and contact the CARE Team who will liaise between you and your program to develop a supportive academic plan. 

For more information, see these guides about isolation: 

• Isolation if you are ill  

• Guide for caregivers and household members  

If your symptoms escalate - seek medical attention.  Contact your health care provider or call 8-1-1. 

If you test negative for COVID-19

After a negative COVID-19 some people are required to self-isolate:   

• Those with symptoms. Continue to isolate until your symptoms resolve.  

• Those exposed to a case of COVID-19. Guidance for self-isolation following a COVID-19 exposure depends on your vaccination status. Please review the BCCDC’s guidelines on when and how to self-isolate following a COVID-19 exposure.

• International travellers returning to Canada. Guidance for self-isolation upon arrival in Canada depends on your vaccination status and whether you are selected for arrival testing. Please review the Government of Canada's guidelines for testing and quarantine. 

If your symptoms escalate seek medical attention.  Contact your health care provider or call 8-1-1. 

When to return to campus

• If you test negative for COVID-19 or if COVID-19 testing was not recommended, stay home until your symptoms have resolved. Once you no longer have symptoms, you may return to campus.
• If you test positive for COVID-19, you may return to campus once your self-isolation period has ended as directed by public health AND your symptoms have resolved.

For more information,  review the BC CDC’s self-isolation and self-monitoring information.