Health and Safety Information

List of 6 frequently asked questions.

• What type of masks are students required to wear to school?

  Students in Year 1 - 12 are required to wear masks inside all school buildings and while outside on school grounds.
  We continue to maintain our standard of at least three-ply quality, well-fitting masks for all students, with a strong recommendation that disposable procedural/surgical masks, like the one pictured below, be used instead of three-ply cloth masks.

  

  It is strongly recommended that SK students also wear a mask while in school and on campus. Please ensure your students have extra masks in case they need them during the school day.

   

  Please note that masks with exhalation valves are no longer permitted for use in school buildings or on school grounds.

• I heard that a student and/or UCC employee has COVID-19. Is this true?

  If a positive case of COVID-19 among a student, faculty or staff member is identified to UCC, the school is obligated to report it to public health as well as the Ministry of Education. Once the UCC receives instructions from public health, it will email the community with relevant information while maintaining strict confidentiality as per the Privacy of Personal Health Information Act. Information will also be posted on the COVID-19 section of UCC’s website.

• What is the school protocol when someone has a medical reason for not wearing a mask?

  We expect all staff and students to be respectful of those who wear masks and those who cannot wear a mask for medical and other reasons for which an exemption applies. Students, parents and staff can expect that there may be individuals in the school who will not be wearing masks because they qualify for an exemption. In such cases, accommodation measures such as face shields, greater physical distancing, clear barriers, enhanced cleaning and other infection prevention and control measures are considered. In situations where a student or staff is not wearing a mask due to an approved medical exemption, a face shield may be adequate as an alternative measure of protection.
  
  Accommodations require consideration of the human rights needs of the person requesting an exemption, as well as medical and health and safety needs of others, being mindful to avoid stigmatizing the individual. Protecting students, families and staff who are at high risk for COVID-19 should be considered in relation to assessing the appropriateness and nature of a mask exemption. It is expected that all reasonable steps and considerations will be taken before a student is not permitted to attend school in person, or an employee is not permitted to attend work in person.

• If a COVID-19 positive student is identified at UCC, will their name be shared?

  Names of students are confidential as per Privacy of Personal Health Information Act. The school will communicate all pertinent information about each positive case, usually including year and cohort on the COVID-19 section of UCC’s website. All families directly affected will be contacted by the local public health authority and will be instructed to isolate if necessary.

• How will UCC determine an outbreak?

  Outbreaks are determined by the local public health authority and depend on a thorough risk assessment and contact tracing procedures. The school will inform community members of an outbreak or emergency closure as directed by the local public health authority and in compliance with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education.

• What are the protocols for when a student can return to school?

  1. Student exposed to COVID-19 

  Students exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19 will be advised by public health. 

  Public health will complete a risk assessment and determine who had high risk exposure. They will be excluded from the school setting for 14 days from the day of last exposure to the person who had COVID-19, if they had close contact: 

  • These individuals must self-isolate at home,  monitor for symptoms for the next 14 days, and get tested as soon as any symptoms develop. 
  • If asymptomatic, students who have been exposed are also encouraged to get tested any time within 14 days of the potential exposure and to self-isolate for 14 days even if the test is negative. 
  • Contacts of a contact (e.g. household member of a student who was exposed at school) do not need to be excluded.  
  • If the student is symptomatic, their household siblings without symptoms must isolate as well. 
  • If the student has symptoms and has an alternative diagnosis, siblings do not need to self-isolate. 
  • If the student has symptoms and tests negative for COVID-19, the siblings can return to school right away; the student can return to school if symptoms are improving for 24 hours. 
  • If the student has symptoms, does not go for testing, and is a close contact of a positive case, the student must self-isolate for 10 days from when symptoms started.
    • Their siblings should self-isolate for 14 days as this is how long it can take for symptoms to appear. 
    • If the student has symptoms and tests positive, the student must self-isolate for 10 days, and siblings must self-isolate for 14 days.

  2. Student confirmed with COVID-19 

  Students who are being managed by TPH (e.g. confirmed cases of COVID-19) must follow TPH instructions to determine when to return to the school; Families do not need a note from their doctor or proof of a negative COVID-19 test before their child returns to school.