Health + Safety

All ECU staff, students and faculty must assess themselves daily for COVID-19 symptoms or possible exposures before accessing campus.

As of July 14, the self-assessment will be a personal responsibility. We will not be requiring a verbal confirmation of completion at the door. Please continue to do your daily self-assessment and follow the advice provided.

We are using the BC COVID-19 self-assessment tool, created by the Government of BC.

As of July 14, access to campus will be restored. The SW Doors will be open to everyone. Members of the ECU community can use their OneCard ID to enter campus through any door.

As we have entered Step 3 of the BC Restart Plan, members of the public can once again visit ECU. After July 14, anyone may enter through the SW doors. Please note that as we are gradually returning to campus activities over the summer, some services may not be available and hours of operation may be limited. Please plan your visit in advance and make appointments if necessary.

For more information, see Info for the Public.

Over the summer, staff and faculty will be gradually transitioning back onto campus in preparation for the Fall 2021 term. This gradual return to campus will be safe and aligned with provincial guidelines.

ECU has introduced a Telecommuting Framework (PDF) to provide our staff with flexibility. Staff may make telecommuting arrangements with their supervisor if appropriate for their role.

Students who will be on campus in Fall 2021 will be able to take hybrid courses, which will include on-campus activities. Students who are unable to return for Fall 2021 may complete their studies online. For more information, see our update on Fall 2021 courses.

Food services on campus are currently closed, but we expect they will reopen by Fall 2021. This includes the Caf (Level 2) and Mini Loafe (Level 1).

We recommend you bring a refillable water bottle to campus. Touchless water bottle refill stations will be operating on each floor.

There are several food options nearby, including Kafka's and the newly-opened Nemesis.

We are following the BC CDC guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting public settings.

This includes frequent cleaning of high-traffic areas, and high-contact surfaces such as washrooms and counters.

Wherever possible we have removed appliances and surfaces where contamination is possible, including dining areas and water fountains.

In spaces with shared equipment, you will find disinfecting wipes and spray to clean equipment before and after use.

Plexiglass barriers have been installed at face-to-face service locations where physical distancing cannot always be maintained.

They have also been installed in certain classrooms, labs or studio spaces to enhance safety when rooms are occupied by multiple individuals.

Barrier cleaning in our enhanced cleaning protocols.

Wearing a face mask can help prevent others if you are infected with COVID-19 by creating a barrier that prevents droplets from spreading.

As of August 25, masks are once again required in all shared and common spaces at Emily Carr. This includes stairwells, bathrooms, classrooms, galleries, shops and studios. You must be wearing a mask to enter campus.

For more information, see the August 24 announcement from the Ministry of Health.

Wearing a face mask can help prevent others if you are infected with COVID-19 by creating a barrier that prevents droplets from spreading.

As of July 1, masks are no longer required in public spaces, including Emily Carr University. However, they are still recommended by the province, especially for those who have not been fully vaccinated. We strongly recommend you bring a mask to campus, and you may be asked to wear one in certain spaces.

For more information, see Mask Guidance from the BC Government.

Masks must be worn in all shared areas of campus (including bathrooms, corridors, classrooms, studios, shops, and stairwells). This includes common areas even when you are the only individual present, such as elevators or bathrooms, and even in spaces where you can maintain social distancing.

You may remove your mask only when eating or drinking, or if you are in a single-occupant office with a closed door. When eating on campus, please ensure you have at least two metres of space between you and other individuals. Tables in the Caf and the Staff Room have been arranged to maintain this physical distance.

If you do not have a mask when you arrive at campus, you can get one from the Reception/Security area on Level 2.

As of July 1, masks are no longer required. While we recommend that individuals continue to wear them, they are not mandatory. It is up to the individual whether they wear a mask.

The university has a duty to accommodate employees and students who have conditions or disabilities that prevent them from wearing a mask.

Staff and faculty requesting an exemption to our mask policy must contact Anthony Ki, HR Advisor, Benefits + Employee Accessibility (anthonyki@ecuad.ca) to initiate the accommodation process. Students should contact the Accessibility Office (accessibility@ecuad.ca).

All ECU staff, students and faculty must assess themselves daily for COVID-19 symptoms or possible exposures before accessing campus.

We are using the BC COVID-19 self-assessment tool, created by the Government of BC.

As of July 1, physical distancing is no longer required and you may gather indoors and outdoors in groups if you wish. However, we ask that you be respectful to one another.

Cleaning your hands frequently and covering your coughs and sneezes will help to protect everyone.

Wash your hands often with soap and water, then dry your hands with a paper towel. If soap and water are not accessible, use hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer stations have been installed throughout campus, and we encourage you to bring your own hand sanitizer.

Cough or sneeze into your elbow, or cover your mouth and nose with a tissue. Dispose of the tissue in the trash immediately. Wash your hands after coughing or sneezing.

As of July 5, there are different quarantine and testing requirements for newly-arrived international students, depending on vaccine status. Learn more on our Info for International Students page.

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. They are recommended to everyone over the age of 12 in British Columbia to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Vaccination is free and available to anyone living in BC, even those who are temporarily studying or working here.

While vaccines are not mandatory, they are strongly recommended by BC's Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, and our public health organizations, including the BC Centres for Disease Control.

To book a vaccination appointment, visit the BC COVID-19 Vaccination website.

Report any potential exposures or circumstances that may impact the safety of others at ECU to your manager or supervisor.

If you or someone else is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 while on campus, please contact First Aid (Security) immediately by calling 604.844.3838.

Individuals who are exhibiting symptoms will be asked to wear a mask and isolate on campus. They will be assessed by First Aid for severity of symptoms and either transported to emergency care or to their home. The campus areas that they were in will be closed for cleaning and disinfecting.

We ask everyone to be vigilant about these guidelines, including staying home and self-isolating if you feel ill. Even those with mild symptoms must stay home.

If you have concerns about non-compliance, please report those to your supervisor or instructor in supportive, non-stigmatizing ways.

If you, or someone else, is experiencing severe symptoms including:

• Shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing
• Chest pain or pressure
• Loss of speech or movement

Call 911 for help. If you are contacting 911 on behalf of someone else, seek their consent prior to calling for help.

ECU provides support to regular employees and their families via free access to the Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) through Morneau Shepell. In addition, mental health and anxiety support is available to all British Columbians through www.bouncebackbc.ca and www.anxietycanada.com.

Email and telephone support is available to all ECU students. They may contact Counselling between 09:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, to arrange for a free and confidential counselling appointment.

Mindshift and Headspace are helpful apps you can download to help with feelings of anxiety and worry.

The BC Crisis Line is also available 24/7 at 1.800.784.2433.