Prevent the spread

Universal Campus Protocols

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

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. 

If concerned, contact 8-1-1, the local public health unit, or a family physician. 

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

While masking is not required, RRU is mask friendly. Masks are available to members of the RRU community at the Welcome Desk, Campus Security, the Recreation Centre, Library, Centre of Teaching and Educational Technologies and the Boathouse.

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.  

Report your absence due to illness

• Report your absence due to any flu-like illness to your instructor.   
• For short-term absences to illness/communicable disease, a doctor’s note is not required.  You may use this Student Declaration of Absence Due to Flu-Like Symptoms form.   
• Email the CARE Team if you require additional resources or supports: care@royalroads.ca.

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

Monitor your symptoms

If you are experiencing symptoms that are contagious, please consider these resources:

• 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. 

International travellers

If you feel sick or experience any symptoms of COVID-19 or other communicable diseases during your travel to Canada or upon arrival, you should inform the flight attendant, cruise staff or a border services officer upon arrival.

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.