In-person, post-secondary education "strongly recommended" by BC CDC

The BC Centre for Disease Control has updated its guidance for in-person learning at post-secondary institutions, saying they continue to be low-risk settings.

In a release, the BC CDC says, “Given the low-risk nature of in-class learning, a highly immunized population, and significant social benefits of in-person instruction, on-campus instruction is strongly recommended.”

It goes on to say that enabling young people to “return to closer-to-normal learning and social activities is important for pandemic recovery” and says the prevention measures outlined will “help balance the benefits of on-campus learning while minimizing the serious outcomes of COVID-19.”

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The guidance outlines some public health measures that should remain in place on campuses to keep them safe:

• Limits on non-educational gatherings and events
• Proof of vaccination to access a range of optional on-campus activities
• Masks to be worn in indoor public spaces, including within lecture halls and classrooms
• Providing vaccination status for those living in post-secondary housing

Further prevention measures on campus include:

• Strong promotion of vaccination
• Strong promotion of staying home when sick
• Effective ventilation systems
• Regular cleaning and disinfection
• Promoting and enabling regular hand cleaning
• Use of non-medical masks

The CDC says there is no longer a need to physically distance in indoor public spaces, although people should be encouraged to “spread out within available space and to consider and respect others’ personal space.”

Guidance/BC CDC

In recent weeks, there have been a number of petitions asking post-secondary schools to delay the return to in-person learning.

Meantime, students at Simon Fraser University held a walkout on Monday, demanding the same.