Alberta post secondary campuses close due to COVID-19
Posted September 16, 2021 7:14 am.
Last Updated September 16, 2021 1:01 pm.
CALGARY – In-person classes have been cancelled for eight post-secondary schools as Alberta declares a public health emergency.
The universities of Alberta, Calgary, and Lethbridge, as well as Mount Royal, Medicine Hat College, SAIT, and NAIT have announced all campuses will be closed to activity for the remainder of the week.
The institutions say classes will continue as scheduled, just online.
???? Due to the state of public health emergency in the province of Alberta, all SAIT campuses are closed to all activity for the remainder of the week. Online classes will continue to run. Download the SAITALERT app for Apple or Android for emergency updates #HereAtSAIT. pic.twitter.com/u6fv4iZM9J
— SAIT (@sait) September 16, 2021
“Essential employees on campus must continue to mask in indoor public spaces and maintain physical distancing of two metres,” reads a statement from Mount Royal’s president and vice-chancellor, Tim Rahilly.
Reminder – in-person classes are cancelled today (Sept. 16) and tomorrow, and campus is closed. Online classes will continue as scheduled. All other on-campus student activities will pause for the remainder of the week.
Updates to continue https://t.co/nhtz06x5CU
— Mount Royal U (@MountRoyalU) September 16, 2021
The U of A says until schools can implement the province’s new vaccine passport program, students and staff who cannot work or study from home must follow physical distancing rules.
READ MORE: Alberta adopts proof-of-vaccination program for certain services, reinstates strict public health measures
Activities that can’t meet distancing requirements have also been cancelled.
“Further clarification will be communicated [Thursday] about the status of classes and activities for Friday, September 17, 2021, as well as U of A requirements and procedures for complying with the Restrictions Exemption Program effective Monday,” said the school on its website.
COVID-19 Update: All in-person U of A classes on all campuses are cancelled on Thursday, September 16. The status of classes and activities for Friday September 17, 2021 will be shared tomorrow. Add/drop deadline extended. https://t.co/HSrfCfhcAu pic.twitter.com/fVKAAUgR68
— University of Alberta (@UAlberta) September 16, 2021
The announcement came late Wednesday night, despite each school requiring everyone attending campuses to be fully vaccinated against the COVID-19.
