COVID-19 Six Nations Polytechnic Update #1
March 13, 2020
Office of the President/CEO-Rebecca Jamieson
SNP is closely monitoring the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) situation which was first detected in late December 2019 in Wuhan, China. While both Health Canada and Public Health Ontario have advised the public that the risk to Ontarians is considered to be low, SNP has been and will continue to take guidance from local, provincial and federal health agencies.
In accordance with the Hodinohsó:ni’ values of Ga’nigoǫhí:yo:/Ka’nikonhrí:io that guides all involved in Six Nations Polytechnic, and our responsibility to provide prompt and efficient responses to occurrences that require a campus closure please be advised that SNP has instituted to the following measures:
Effective end of day March 13, 2020, both SNP campuses are closed to students and the public. The campuses remain open to staff.
Classes
SNP STEAM ACADEMY - All in-person classes have been suspended until April 3rd, 2020. Students will access alternative learning modes starting March 23, 2020. Students and Parents will be contacted with further information and instructions
College and Trades Programs - All in-person classes will be suspended as of March 13, 2020. We anticipate having an additional update on March 20th as we explore online and alternative course delivery methods. Students will be contacted with further information and instructions. If you require assistance, please email: students@snpolytechnic.com
University Programming - All in-person classes will be suspended as of March 13, 2020. We anticipate having an additional update on March 20th as we continue to monitor and assess the current situation. The deadline to cancel winter and mid-term undergraduate courses (UCY1 & BAOL), or to withdraw has been extended to April 3rd. Students will be contacted with further information and instructions. If you require further assistance, please email: students@snpolytechnic.com
All other programming - suspended pending further notice
Upcoming Events and Activities
Effective immediately, SNP will be cancelling all planned events and activities up to the end of April. Any changes to planned events and activities will be communicated publicly with SNP instructors, staff and students. All facility rentals will be cancelled
Illness
If you are feeling unwell or experiencing symptoms such as cough, runny nose, fever, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, you should stay home. Please continue to report your absence as you normally would.
Business Travel
Effective immediately, and until further notice, all business-related travel is to be suspended for SNP employees. For those employees who have off-campus meetings, SNP encourages the use of phone-in meetings or else teleconferencing software and services such as Skype, Zoom, etc.
All Other Non-Essential Travel
SNP strongly encourages all instructors, staff and students to defer all non-essential travel outside of Canada (this includes to the United States). If you have travelled or plan to travel, please advise SNP at notify@snpolytechnic.com
While travel anywhere outside of Canada is discouraged, instructors, staff and students who will still look to partake in non-essential travel are strongly encouraged to refer to the federal government’s international travel advisories site and to revise their travel plans accordingly.
Recent Return from International Travel
Anyone who has returned from Canada from abroad within the last 14 days, in addition to emailing at is advised to:
- Self-monitor for any fever, cough or difficulty breath for a full 14 days, and
- Avoid highly populated areas and crowds
- Self-isolate immediately if any COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, difficulty breathing) develop during this 14-day period, and
- Notify their local public health unit, or Telehealth Ontario (1-866-797-0000), immediately for further instructions/assessment, and
- Notify their healthcare provider prior to visiting any healthcare facility for assessment.
Those who have returned from China, Iran, Italy, Japan or South Korea in the last 14 days must:
- Self-isolate at home and avoid close contact with others, including members of their household, for a total of 14 days from the day that they left one of the above-mentioned countries.
- Contact their local public health unit within 24 hours of having arrived in Canada.
Procedure for Confirmed or Suspected Cases of COVID-19
If an employee or student knows or suspects that they might be infected with COVID-19, they need to self-report to Nichole Martin, Director of Operations at notify@snpolytechnic.com as soon as possible. Nichole will work with Public Health to determine the next steps.
Preventative Measures
Within the last few weeks, extra cleaning and sanitizing measures have been taken at SNP campuses within common and highly trafficked areas. SNP is currently in the process of placing reminders and prevention technique guides throughout common areas.
The best way to protect yourself is by being proactive and preventative:
- Wash your hands often (for at least 20 seconds at a time) with soap and water or else with alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Sneeze and cough into your sleeve
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
- Avoid contact with people who are sick
- Stay home if you are sick
SNP will continue to monitor the situation and will continue to advise instructors, staff and students of any relevant updates.
Information and Contact
Assistance with student matters: Students@snpolytechnic.com
Updates and information will be available on www.snpolyechnic.com, Six Nations Polytechnic social media sites