How is Sunview College working to prevent the spread of COVID-19?

As we aim to gradually re-open our campus, the success of our students, staff, and campus are paramount and must be balanced with protecting their health and safety. To do this, the College will:

1. Provide a flexible learning model that blends in-person and digital online learning together to provide equitable access for all students.
2. Reconfigure classrooms and accessible areas, as well as implement physical barriers, as required to reduce any potential spread of illness.
3. Limit the number of persons in classrooms and all accessible areas of the campus to accommodate physical distancing of at least 2 metres (6 feet) between persons
4. Provide and maintain handwashing stations with soap and water, as well as hand sanitizer stations placed in each classroom, at entry and exit points, in hallways, and in common areas
5. Perform routine and frequent environment cleaning throughout classrooms, campus facilities, and other highly accessed areas
6. Post signage throughout the campus to control traffic flow as well as to inform all persons about best health and safety practices on campus
7. Implement and enforce the College’s developed COVID-19 response guidelines and policies for anyone on campus who present symptoms potentially indicating presence of COVID-19; this would include asking anyone with more than an occasional cough or sneeze not to attend any classes or activities on campus and to self-isolate at home
8. Enforce a mandatory 14-day self-isolation or quarantine for all international students and their accompanying travellers per Canada’s Quarantine Act

All staff will be trained on the enhanced health and safety protocols and procedures as they relate to managing COVID-19 and other illnesses at the campus and will be responsible for ensuring that students, visitors, and colleagues practice and enforce the protocols. The following are the protocols that staff will be expected to know and reinforce with students and visitors to the campus as applicable.

Masks and Face Coverings

Masks and face coverings will be mandatory for all students, staff, and visitors to the College per Public Health guidelines.

Wearing a non-medical mask or face covering alone will not prevent the spread of COVID-19. You must also wash your hands often, practice physical distancing, and stay home if you are sick.

DOs:

DON’Ts:

Fig. 2: Incorrect masking techniques

1. DON’T reuse masks that are moist, dirty or damaged.
2. DON’T leave your nose or chin uncovered
3. DON’T wear a loose mask.
4. DON’T touch the mask while wearing it.
5. DON’T remove the mask to talk to someone.
6. DON’T hang mask from your neck or ears.
7. DON’T share your mask.
8. DON’T leave your used mask within the reach of others.

Handwashing and Sanitization

Everyone entering the College must either wash or sanitize their hands using proper washing and sanitizing techniques. This must also be done when entering any room within the College.

Physical Distancing Protocols

We know that one of the best ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses is to maintain physical distancing between people. To achieve this as much as possible, the College will communicate, encourage, and enforce the following on all students, staff, and visitors:

DISTANCING:

At the College, we practice Physical Distancing by staying at least 2 metres (6 feet) away from other people whenever possible. When it is not possible, you must wear a mask or face covering that completely covers your nose and mouth.

Physical Distancing is not the same as Social Distancing. In fact, we encourage our staff and students to be social with each other while onsite at the College and following health and safety guidelines. After all, College is where lifelong friendships are formed!

Some Physical Distancing rules to keep in mind:

1. If there are people waiting in the hallway when you get to the College, it means the reception area is already at capacity. Please wait patiently in the hallway, maintaining at least 2 metres (6 feet) from the persons in front of and behind you. Wait until you are instructed to enter the College.
2. Please wait outside the washroom if there are already people inside (even if it is an emergency) and the washroom is at maximum capacity. When someone exits, then you may enter.
3. Do NOT stop in the hallways to chat with anyone or for any other reason. The hallways inside the College are “No Stopping” zones.
4. Please pay attention to the maximum capacity signage posted at the campus. If a room is already at capacity, please wait outside until someone exits.
5. Desks and available seats in classrooms have been placed 2 metres (6 feet) apart. When you enter a classroom, please wash or sanitize your hands and then go directly to your desk. Please stay there until it is time to leave the room. Do not move or go to other areas of the classroom unnecessarily. Remember to keep a distance of at least 2 metres (6 feet) from others when leaving the room.

Maximum Capacity

Various areas of the College have a defined maximum capacity of persons. Signage is posted at each location identifying the capacity for that area.

If an area is already at maximum capacity, please wait patiently until someone exits the area before entering.

The maximum capacities at the College are:

Reception area	02 people
Offices	02-03 people
Lunchroom/Breakroom	02 people
Computer lab	08 people
Classrooms	06 people

Disinfection

COVID-19 and other viruses and bacteria can remain on surfaces for some time. To reduce contaminated surfaces:

• Cleaning removes dust, debris and dirt from a surface by scrubbing, washing and rinsing. 
• Sanitizing reduces the bacteria on a surface.
• Disinfecting destroys or inactivates both the bacteria and on hard, nonporous surfaces.  Disinfecting hard, nonporous surfaces is one of the most reliable ways to help lower the risk of spreading germs from surfaces by touch.

At least once a day, all hard, non-porous surfaces at the College need to be wiped with a disinfectant and a disposable cloth. These surfaces include:

• Door handles
• Light switches
• Counter tops
• Desks
• Chairs

Equipment needs to be disinfected after each use. Equipment includes:

• Phones
• Copiers
• Medical Equipment
• Computers
• Keyboards
• Keypads
• Kettles
• Shredders
• Vending Machines
• Pens/Keys

Assessing Compliance

All staff will be expected to continually assess themselves to ensure they are following the safety protocols in place at the College:

• Is your mask covering your chin and the bridge of your nose?
• Are you cleaning your hands when you enter a room?
• Are you maintaining a two-metre distance between you and other people?
• Are you respecting the maximum capacity in each area of the College?
• Are you remembering to disinfect equipment after you use it?

If staff answer “NO” to any of the above questions, they should immediately consult with Campus Management for guidance and support.

Emotional and Mental Health

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we can expect people to feel anxious and this sometimes causes changes in emotional behaviours and mental health. Our best defense is to remember Dr. Bonnie Henry’s maxim:

Symptoms of COVID-19:

• Fever of 37.8ºC (100.4ºF) or higher
• Chills
• New or worsening cough
• Dry, hoarse cough, wheezing when breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Sore throat
• Difficulty swallowing
• Runny nose that is not related to seasonal allergies or other known causes or conditions
• Stuffy or blocked nose that is not related to seasonal allergies or other known causes or conditions
• Loss of taste or smell
• Conjunctivitis
• Headaches
• Digestive problems: diarrhea, vomiting
• Muscle aches
• Extreme and unusual fatigue
• Frequent falls

What should you do if you have symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19?

If you exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 or may have been exposed to the virus, the College will take the following steps:

1. Immediately report illness or exposure

If you experience symptoms or potential exposure to COVID-19, you must immediately report it to any member of staff, who will then connect you with Student Services or Campus Management for further guidance.

2. Isolate symptomatic students

You will be requested to wash or sanitize your hands and wear a face mask and other PPE as required to reduce spread. You will be asked to quarantine in a secured area of the campus, away from others. You will be asked complete the Government of Ontario’s COVID-19 health self-assessment on the Government of Ontario’s website (https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment).

3. Contact Emergency Services if required

If you exhibit severe symptoms (ex: chest pain, difficulty breathing), Campus Management will call 911 for assistance.

4. Direct students to immediately return home

If you do not require emergency assistance, you will be directed to return home via private transportation arranged by you or the College as required. Once you return home, you must go into quarantine.

5. Contact local Public Health

You will be asked to contact Telehealth Ontario (1-866-797-0000), your local Public Health unit, of your family doctor to report your case. You may be instructed to get tested for COVID-19 at a local assessment centre.

6. If your case is confirmed, the College will shut down and report to Toronto Public Health

The College will shut down for the rest of the day for deep cleaning and disinfection of all affected areas and equipment. Campus Management will report the case and outbreak to Toronto Public Health. All records relating to any cases of infection on campus and witnesses will be retained.

7. Once you have been cleared by local Public Health and self-isolated for 14 days, contact Student Services and obtain approval before you return to school.