UPDATE: Masking requirement lifts March 1, 2022

February 28, 2022

Thank you for your ongoing efforts to support our college community throughout the pandemic. Change continues this week as provincial direction evolves further with the lifting of most public health requirements on March 1. As we move forward, we kindly ask that you respect one another, sustain personal hygiene habits, and reduce the spread of germs by staying home when unwell.

• Starting Tuesday, March 1, masks will no longer be required on campus in Medicine Hat and Brooks. MHC will continue to provide masks at campus entrances. Please respect the decision of others who may wish to continue wearing a mask.
• Enhanced cleaning and disinfection routines will be sustained in the coming weeks. Sanitizing kits will remain in classrooms.
• Medicine Hat College’s COVID-19 policy was rescinded on Feb. 15, 2022. Proof of vaccination, negative rapid test or approved medical exemption is no longer required.

 *The Medicine Hat campus will reinstate 24-hour access for students and employees starting March 1, 2022.

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UPDATE: MHC rescinding COVID-19 Policy

February, 15, 2022

Thank you for your continued patience and cooperation around evolving health measures.

A new public health order 08-2022 is now in place, eliminating the mandatory requirement for physical distancing on campus. As a result, MHC is able to rescind its COVID-19 Policy, which was developed last September to permit continued delivery of in-person learning.

Effective immediately:

• Proof of vaccination, privately paid negative rapid test or approved medical exemption is not necessary to enter Medicine Hat College facilities.
• Masking remains in place for classrooms and common areas, as per the public health order 08-2022.

It is expected that masking, along with provincial work from home requirements, will be lifted by government on March 1.

Important reminders:

• Students on practicum are still expected to adhere to any restrictions of their employer or off campus worksite.
• Please stay home if you are feeling ill to support the health and wellness of yourself and others.

We recognize these have been difficult times for our entire college community and ask for your continued kindness and respect as we move forward.

For more information about current provincial measures, please visit www.alberta.ca/.

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UPDATE: Public health measures remain in effect at MHC until further notice

Feb. 10, 2022

Medicine Hat College received additional information late yesterday about lifting evolving COVID-19 restrictions. Our direction from Advanced Education states:

“Post-secondary institutions will have the full ability to return to pre-pandemic delivery without the need to enforce physical distancing, implement proof of vaccination programs and masking effective March 1.”

As a result, all current health and safety measures remain in place at MHC until the end of February, including:

• Proof of vaccination, privately paid negative rapid test, or approved medical exemption;
• masking in classrooms and all public spaces; and
• physical distancing, where possible.

In alignment with government direction, it is expected that the above restrictions will be removed on Tuesday, March 1, 2022.

At that time, masking will be a personal choice. Everyone is responsible for assessing their own level of comfort and risk, and we ask that you respect the choices of others. Medicine Hat College will to continue to provide masks at campus entrances and sanitizing kits in classrooms. High frequency touch point cleaning will also continue.

Prevention Reminders

• Stay home when ill. Do not come to campus if you are sick, even when symptoms are mild.
• Practice good hygiene, including frequent hand washing/sanitizing.

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UPDATE: Feb. 9, 2022

Following the Province of Alberta’s announcement on Feb. 8, COVID-19 public health measures at Medicine Hat College remain in effect as we await further clarification from government.

In order to deliver in-person learning, MHC is still required to operate under a separate health order. As a result, we will continue with current health and safety measures for those on campus

• proof of vaccination, privately paid negative rapid test, or approved medical exemption;
• masking in classrooms and all public spaces;
• physical distancing, where possible,

until further notice. Post-secondary institutions were identified as out-of-scope for the Restriction Exemption Program (REP) that was introduced in September 2021 so the announcement signaling the end of that program does not apply to MHC.

We are expecting additional information from our government and will share details as soon as they are available.

Thank you for your continued patience and cooperation.

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Supporting a safe learning and working environment

Medicine Hat College remains focused on delivering quality educational experiences to students while protecting the health and wellness of our campus communities.

In response to provincial public health orders for post-secondary institutions, MHC requires individuals on campuses in Medicine Hat and Brooks to be fully vaccinated, OR be able to demonstrate proof of a negative, privately paid rapid test completed within 72 hours prior to being on campus or an approved medical exemption.

Students/Employees

To upload proof of vaccination, privately paid rapid test or approved medical exemption, click the button below to start MHC's COVID-19 Policy Verification process and watch for confirmation of validation.

COVID-19 POLICY VERIFICATION

If you need support using the system, please contact covid@mhc.ab.ca.

Visitors (ages 12+)

• Medicine Hat Campus: Please visit the security desk at the main entrance and be prepared to present your proof of vaccination, privately paid rapid test, or approved medical exemption.
• Brooks Campus: Please visit the information desk in the main foyer and be prepared to present your proof of vaccination, privately paid rapid test, or approved medical exemption.

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UPDATE: JAN. 17, 2022

Thank you for your ongoing cooperation and support as we manage our response to COVID-19 and the Omicron variant.

After careful consideration, Medicine Hat College will return to scheduled in-person learning on Monday, January 24.

Throughout the pandemic, MHC has strived to manage access to education within a safe learning and working environment. Our goal is to provide a full range of learning opportunities and activities while reducing the risk of illness for our students, colleagues, and the community. MHC’s COVID-19 policy has created a controlled campus environment and risks are mitigated onsite with ongoing health and safety measures. COVID-19 Policy verification (proof of vaccination, negative rapid test, approved medical exemption) is still required for those coming on campus

Fall 2021 demonstrated our ability to be successful in a face-to-face environment and we believe this is achievable for Winter 2022, even when considering the Omicron variant. We know there will be cases but together we can work to manage disruption while continuing to support student learning outcomes.

Please be reminded to:

• Stay home when sick. Do not come to campus with any symptoms and connect with your instructor to make arrangements if needed.
• Wear a mask. Masks must be worn in all public spaces, classrooms, and labs.
• Maintain physical distance where possible.
• Consider receiving a booster shot if eligible. It is reasonable to assume that three or more vaccinations will become the standard at some point in the future.

While we have taken steps to support a safe working and learning environment, activities that happen off campus often affect our ability to do so. We strongly encourage everyone to limit their contacts where possible and continue to follow all provincial public health measures.

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UPDATE: DEC. 22, 2021

As the situation around Omicron continues to evolve at a rapid pace, Medicine Hat College is taking proactive steps to offer predictability for the Winter 2022 semester.

In all our decisions, we lean on the principles of wellness for our students, employees and communities while providing access to meaningful educational experiences.

Based on these principles and public health information currently available, Medicine Hat College will modify the start of the winter semester:

• The college will open as scheduled on January 4.
• New Student Orientation has been postponed until Friday, January 7. Further details will be provided to new students early in the new year.
• The first week of classes (January 4-7) is cancelled to allow faculty and staff time to make required changes to educational and service delivery. Some exceptions may apply, including:
  • Apprenticeship. These programs will begin as scheduled on January 4.
  • Select courses that are already fully online or where student completion may be at risk with a delayed start date. These exceptions will be communicated directly to students.
• Classes will begin on January 10, either fully online or with a mix of online and in-person delivery. We anticipate this will be a temporary measure until January 21.
• All practicums, clinical, and other off-site work integrated learning experiences will continue following the guidelines of the host site.
• Support services will also shift into a virtual environment as appropriate until January 21.

COVID-19 Policy verification is still required for those coming on campus and a booster shot is recommended for those who are eligible. Masking is required until further notice.

Our goal is to bring all of us safely back to campus during the Winter term and that the above shift is a temporary measure.

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UPDATE: OCT. 28, 2021

Medicine Hat College has extended its rapid testing program for students and employees until December 31, 2021.

Please note:

• Testing takes place off campus at partner pharmacies (Greg's Remedy in Medicine Hat, Pharmasave in Brooks). MHC will cover the cost of rapid testing at these locations only. Please click here for more information. 

• Proof of a negative result must be uploaded to MHC’s COVID-19 Policy Verification System within 72 hours of entering college facilities.

Starting January 1, 2022, rapid testing will continue to be accepted in lieu of vaccination at MHC as directed by provincial public health orders, but all expenses associated with rapid testing will be at an individual’s cost.

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UPDATE: OCT. 1, 2021

Information for MHC students/employees

Medicine Hat College is pleased to launch its COVID-19 policy verification process to validate proof of vaccination, or negative rapid test, or approved medical exemption for students and employees learning and working on campus.

This online process will ask you to sign in using your MHC email account and:

• select the type of proof being submitted,
• indicate the number of doses received, date of test, or confirmation of exemption, and
• upload supporting documentation.

Click the button below to start the process and watch for confirmation of validation. High volumes of submissions may delay validation, so please ensure you have proof of vaccination, negative rapid test, or medical exemption available when on campus until you receive confirmation of approval. We thank you for your patience.

COVID-19 POLICY VERIFICATION

If you need support using the system, please contact covid@mhc.ab.ca.

Information for Visitors (ages 12+)

• Medicine Hat Campus: Please visit the security desk at the main entrance and be prepared to present your proof of vaccination, negative rapid test, or approved medical exemption.
• Brooks Campus: Please visit the information desk in the main foyer and be prepared to present your proof of vaccination, negative rapid test, or approved medical exemption.

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UPDATE: SEPT. 24, 2021

Thank you for your patience as we work to define process to support the restriction exemption in place for provincial post-secondary institutions. Please note rapid testing and exemption processes are available:

• Rapid Testing
• Exemptions

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UPDATE: SEPT. 20, 2021

There is now a sector-specific exemption program in place for post-secondary institutions in Alberta. The program supports MHC’s direction on requirement for proof of vaccination, regular testing, or a documented medical exemption. Please note the key revisions below:

Vaccination Update: Change to Waiting Period

• Any individual who received their first dose on or before Sept. 20 is no longer required to wait two weeks before returning to campus. This means if a first dose was received Sept. 20 or earlier, you can enter college facilities starting today. Please ensure you have proof of vaccination available and can meet the criteria outlined in the attached declaration statement (updated Sept. 20).
• If you will receive your first dose after Sept. 20, you must wait two weeks from the date of vaccination before returning to campus or provide proof of a negative PCR or rapid test within 72 of being on campus. Please contact your instructor/supervisor about alternate learning or working options that may be available to you.
• Individuals will be required to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 1, 2021.

Testing
We recognize there are many questions around testing and concerns about the lack of availability of tests in Medicine Hat and Brooks. MHC has tests on order* that will be available later this week. Employees and students will be updated on the testing process via email once the tests have arrived.

*Medicine Hat College will cover the cost of rapid testing for employees and students for a limited time. PCR tests must be covered at the individual’s expense.

Exemptions
Forms for submitting an exemption on medical or other protected grounds are available here.

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UPDATE: SEPT. 19, 2021

We’re aware that an afternoon update to provincial guidelines created some uncertainty about restrictions on campus. MHC has since been advised by Advanced Education that public health orders will be modified allowing us to operate Monday morning following the plans that were defined and shared last week.

This includes proof of vaccination and testing programs that will permit us to provide face-to-face learning without physical distancing. The requirement for masking will remain in place. Please see below for more information.

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UPDATE: SEPT. 18, 2021

The Province of Alberta declared a state of emergency on Sept. 15 to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, with additional health measures now in effect. MHC is working towards compliance of the government's Restriction Exemption Program.

Starting Monday, Sept. 20, all individuals coming accessing Medicine Hat College facilities in Medicine Hat or Brooks will be required to comply with the attached declaration statement. If you cannot comply with the statement by Monday, you cannot enter our facilities.

Indoor mandatory masking requirements will remain in place. Individuals on campus ages 12 and over may be asked to show one of the following:

• Proof of vaccination
  • single dose accepted between September 20 and October 25 if received two weeks before accessing college facilities in Medicine Hat and Brooks
  • double doses required after October 25
• documentation of an existing medical exemption; or
• Proof of a privately-paid negative PCR or rapid test. The test must be conducted within 72 hours prior to accessing college facilities. Tests from AHS or Alberta Precision Laboratories are not allowed, as per government guidelines.

Face-to-Face Classes

• In person classes and labs will resume on Monday, Sept. 20.

Distance Learning

• All distance learning classes, including Sunrise and Coulee Collegiate, will resume as directed. If you are only learning online and do not need to be on campus, new vaccination requirements

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UPDATE: SEPT. 15, 2021

At 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, the Province of Alberta declared a state of emergency to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. Updated protocols for organizations and individuals were also provided, some of which come into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday September 16, 2021.

Medicine Hat College is working through the protocols and seeking additional direction for post-secondary education. However, it is clear that we must increase efforts to provide a safe campus environment. We are therefore taking the following steps:

• Classes (in person and online) are cancelled for Thursday, September 16, 2021 and Friday, September 17, 2021. This step will allow us to further evaluate the protocols as required by government.
• The campuses in Brooks and Medicine Hat will be accessible for employees to meet operational needs. Employees must use masks and maintain physical distancing.
• Students may visit the campuses but must use masks and maintain physical distancing.

Visit www.alberta.ca to learn more about new public health measures.