ST. GEORGE INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE

The following guidelines have been developed to clarify the codes of conduct and the increased health and safety measures that SGIC will follow and practice to ensure a safe workplace and study environment. Should the guidelines in this document need to change to be in compliance with provincial health directives, the directives of the Public Health Agency of Canada and provincial workplace health and safety requirements amendments will be added. Changes in policy may increase or decrease as the COVID-19 pandemic situation evolves over time. 

 

This document will be reviewed by management on a monthly basis in order to keep up to date with health directives from municipal, provincial, and federal agencies during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

Section A: Overall Requirements

1. Should any student or staff member be seen as not in compliance with any of the items listed in this document, or with any of the regulations set out in the Quarantine Act of the Government of Canada disciplinary actions will be taken. This can include:

   1. Additional teaching to ensure a full understanding of the health and safety protocols

   2. Suspension of the student/staff member from school,

   3. Contacting Health Canada, for consultation purposes

   4. Contacting local authorities when deemed necessary.

2. Provision of the COVID-19 school Outbreak Prevention and Management Plan before arrival (via email), and in the orientation package for new students upon arrival, detailing measures that will be taken within the premises including:

   1. Monitoring and daily symptom screening practices for COVID-19

   2. Physical Distancing Guidelines, including signage, classroom occupancy, stickers, and plexiglass screens

   3. Class Instruction guidelines, including face-mask guidelines, and alternate pedagogical models.

   4. Sanitization and Cleaning practices referencing the Public Health’s Cleaning and Disinfection for Public Settings guidance document.

 

Section B: Pre-Arrival Plan

1. All students will be sent a ‘Pre-Arrival Checklist’ in both English and a translation as required, detailing the steps they must take before coming to Canada, and a signed attestation that they understand and will follow all quarantine requirements set forth by the school, and the Government of Canada. This checklist will include

   1. Attestation confirming their understanding of the quarantine requirements

   2. Instructions on how to download and use the ArriveCAN app and the BC Covid-19 App prior to arrival.

   3. Post-Arrival logistics information including information regarding transportation, quarantine, and testing.

2. Additional costs relating to the quarantine services will be communicated to the students before arrival on a case by case basis as these costs may differ based on a variety of factors, including where the student chooses to complete their quarantine.

3. All incoming students will be provided with the name and contact information of our counselors to ensure that SGIC is under compliance with the plan.

 

Section C: In-Quarantine Plan

1. Asymptomatic students will be transported directly from the point of entry to the quarantine location by a representative of SGIC. The students will be taken to the quarantine location directly, without stopping for any reason, barring a medical emergency.

2. The representative will ensure that the students have completed the pre-arrival guidelines, the International Student Quarantine Plan, and have digitally completed SGIC’s arrival screening form between the time of arrival and meeting the representative.

3. The representative will provide the student with a new medical mask and with guidelines concerning physical distancing protocol and hand hygiene as put out by the Provincial Health Officer.

4. Current quarantine accommodation options are Marriott Vancouver Airport, Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel, Executive Hotel Vancouver Airport, and Sandman Vancouver Airport Hotel. SGIC will confirm the students booking prior to their arrival in Canada and provide transportation to the hotel. All hotel options include the ability to add a meal plan, complimentary high-speed internet, and private bathrooms. 

5. Services like transportation or accommodation can be organized outside of SGIC. Students will be asked to provide a detailed explanation about the service that needs to be approved by the school director prior to coming to Canada. Students will be required to provide SGIC with a detailed self-isolation plan including location, measures that they are taking. Each accommodation should have their own protocols for students during isolation. SGIC remains responsible for the action of the parties after the director’s approval

6. SGIC Staff will contact the student daily during the 14-day quarantine period, to ensure that the students’ essential needs are being continuously met, including access to food and water, internet access, and other supports.

7. Students will be provided by email various documents to encourage and support them through the process, including mental health support services, COVID-19 best practices documents, and social support.  SGIC will inform students regarding current news and Canadian culture daily/weekly, to ensure the students can integrate to the community and culture while isolated.

8. Students will be encouraged to continue using the ArriveCAN app/BC Covid-19 Self Assessment Tool as noted in the pre-arrival guidelines, as well as required to fill out SGIC’s online screening form daily. This screening process also includes questions related to mental health, and essential needs, so that students are consistently being monitored.

9. Should a student develop symptoms of COVID-19 at any point in time, they will be instructed to contact their counselor/marketer immediately. The counselor will arrange an appointment for the student for testing, and transportation to and from the testing center if required.

10. All incoming students will be provided with COVID-19 information in their language, and/or English as listed on the Government of Canada’s website (see also).  Additional resources and/or updates will be provided to all SGIC students as new information becomes available.

11. All staff and teachers will be provided with this document, as well as trained on how to recognize COVID-19 symptoms and effectively use PPE. The Education Director (study@sgiccanada.com)/ The office administrator(join-us@sgiccanada.com) will be responsible for the training of all staff and teachers. The office administrator will be responsible for the daily temperature checks, and visitor sign-in. Each tracing can be done.

12. Should the student's quarantine need to be extended due to the development of symptoms, or a positive COVID-19 test, SGIC is committed to providing all necessary quarantine supports that are outlined above for the duration of the extension.

Post-Quarantine Plan

1. A database will be created to detail each student regarding this plan. The database will include contact information for the student, and emergency contact, the start and end dates of the students’ quarantine, the date/time of any COVID-19 test they take, and the results of each test.

2. At a minimum, a monthly announcement will be sent out to all students regarding any new COVID-19 information. Resources regarding COVID-19 have been posted around the school and will be available for students at the front desk. All new students will receive an orientation in their native language regarding proper physical distancing, hand hygiene, and all SGIC’s newly implemented safety procedures (see Appendix A)

3. Counselors have been provided with a list of nearby doctors, clinics, and testing centers. Additionally, counsellors already have access to a variety of information regarding community services and other organizations that is provided to students upon request.

 

Outbreak Prevention and Management Plan

 

Monitoring for COVID-19

1. Staff will be trained on observable symptoms of COVID-19, as per Public Health Agency of Canada

2. SGIC’s staff will conduct daily monitoring of students for visible cold, flu, fever or existing COVID-19 related symptoms. Temperature checks will be done upon arrival at the point of entry. Any student/staff showing a temperature of 38C or higher will be sent home

3. If any symptoms are present, students or staff will be asked to return home immediately.

4. Any staff or students who have been sent home for these reasons shall not be allowed back into the school until a medical practitioner has confirmed they are clear of these symptoms and/or the person in question has been subject to self-isolation or quarantine for a period recommended by the public health authority (e.g. 14 days) or have tested negative for COVID-19 and can produce evidence of such. A list of nearby testing centers will be provided.

5. Daily attendance will be taken of staff, students and visitors which can be provided, if necessary, to clinical authorities for the purpose of contact tracing.

 

Physical Distancing

 

SGIC will take the following measures to ensure adherence to physical distancing is possible and promoted as per the Public Health Agency of Canada and provincial/territorial health authorities, both in the classroom and during circulation on the premises.

1. Occupancy in classrooms and communal spaces will be managed to allow the recommended minimum distance between students and staff (2 meters).

2. Classrooms will be arranged in such a way that students do not directly face one another.

3. Occupancy limit signage will be displayed at the entrance of each classroom and common space.

4. Timetables will be staggered to reduce student contact between classes and during breaks, when necessary.

5. Offers virtual lectures simultaneously to limit the number of individuals in classrooms.

6. Management will establish staffing schedules that reduce the in-person presence of staff on school premises, when necessary. (E.g. allowing some staff to work from home where possible; staggering attendance to reduce the number of employees on-site in a given day.)  For example, Diploma classes may start at 9:00 a.m. while ESL classes may start at 9:30 a.m.

7. Where there are possibilities of ques (e.g. at the reception desk), markings on the floor at reception and counselors’ desks will guide students to observe appropriate physical distancing.

8. In high-traffic, thoroughfare areas, arrows will be placed on the floor to guide students to observe appropriate physical distancing.

9. SGIC will install plexiglass partitions in high traffic areas where physical distancing is not possible (e.g. at the reception desk, counselors’ desks.)

 

Class Instruction
 

1. Pedagogical models will be adopted, if/when necessary, that manage higher risk activities such as group and pair work, providing guidance and alternative modes for communication and interaction to facilitate these activities.

2. The use of technology for group and pair work is strongly encouraged in order to decrease face-to-face conversations where physical distancing is a challenge.

3. Teachers will either schedule in-person individual feedback times with students or provide written or recorded feedback that is emailed to the individual student in order to reduce physical contact and possible droplet transmutation during more in-depth feedback occasions.

4. Students and staff are required to wear a mask or face covering during class time. Upon entering the classroom, students must wear a face covering. Should the student/staff refuse or is unable to provide a suitable face covering, the student/staff member will be told to exit the school and can return when s/he is wearing a face covering.

5. The exception to wearing a face covering is during pronunciation exercises as long as a 2-meter physical distance can be observed between peoples during set exercise or teacher feedback for pronunciation improvements.

 

 

Social Distancing (Social Activities)
 

1. SGIC will not offer social activities on-site but may provide students with opportunities to participate in virtual activities.

2. Group sizes will not exceed 10 people per activity (with clearly marked 2 meter spacing between participants) when held indoors, or 50 people when held outdoors with clear instructions and precautions to promote the 2 meter physical distance recommended by Public Health.

 

Sanitization and Cleaning Practices

 

Strict protocols on cleaning and disinfecting premises and other aspects of environmental health will be observed, using hard-surface disinfectants as approved by the Public Health Agency of Canada and following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization.
 

1. Public spaces and communal areas shall be cleaned and disinfected multiple times per day, with emphasis on high touch surfaces such as front desk, door handles, desks, light switches, tables, shared computer equipment.

2. Communally used objects (e.g. coffeemakers, shared utensils/plates, microwaves) will be removed where practicable, or signage will be placed to disallow use.

 

Staff and Student Hygiene

1. Hand sanitizer dispensers shall be available in all communal spaces and classrooms. A minimum of 60% ethyl alcohol or public health or government-approved product is required.

2. Hand sanitizer and hand soap dispensers will be checked regularly to ensure they are not empty.

3. Adequate hand-washing facilities, including soap and hot-air or paper towel dryers, will be provided.

4. Signage on proper hand-washing techniques will be displayed in all restrooms and sinks, such as that provided by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

5. Adequate respiratory hygiene products, (e.g. paper tissues) and closed bins for hygienic disposal will be provided in all classrooms and common spaces.

6. Signage on cough/sneeze etiquette shall be displayed in all classrooms and common spaces.

7. Any employee cleaning any common areas/high-touch surfaces must wash their hands with soap and hot water, per recommended hand washing instructions after completing the cleaning task and prior to performing any other duties.

8. Student/staff orientation shall include training on required hand washing, cough/sneeze technique. Staff and students will be advised to wash hands or use hand sanitizer: upon arrival; before eating or drinking; before preparing food; after touching shared items; after using the washroom; after handling garbage; and before leaving the school.

 

Encouraging Mental and Social Health

Staff and students may also be affected by the anxiety and uncertainty created by the COVID-19 outbreak, SGIC will:

1. Provide information to students and staff on available resources specific to supporting mental health in a time of a pandemic, such as those provided by the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Wellness Together Canada portal (and other resources available from provincial health authorities.

2. Administration and management will maintain regular communication/check-ins with students/staff on mandatory self-isolation.

3. SGIC will run social and mental health events and activities to reduce anxiety and stress among students/staff on a regular basis. Such events will meet Public Health guidelines for physical distancing and social gatherings.

 

Outbreak of COVID-19

In the event of an outbreak If a case of COVID-19 is identified on school premises:

1. The premises will be temporarily closed to undergo deep cleaning and disinfection.

2. Relevant provincial health authorities will be notified, in accordance with appropriate actions recommended by the Public Health Agency of Canada. SGIC will fully cooperate with all directives given to them by Public Health in how to safely proceed.

3. The Education Director (Megan Greidanus – study@sgiccanada.com)/The Administrator (Gina Hong – join-us@sgiccanada.com) will act as the point person to liaise with the relevant authorities (local public health units, cleaning services, etc.).

4. All staff, students, and homestay families of students will be notified and advised to take necessary precautions, as recommended by the Public Health Agency of Canada. This will include providing basic personal information (name, attendance, address, and contact information) being released to the proper authorities to provide proper contact tracing.

5. Should SGIC become aware of a case of COVID-19 affecting or implicating international students, this will be immediately communicated directly to the students via email, as well as posted on the school website.