Yes. While no physical distancing will be required in classrooms, a 1-metre distance must be maintained in all common areas. In certain cases, such as in the cafeteria, athletics training facilities, or in singing courses, a 2-metre distance has to be maintained.

Yes. Acceptable masks are the blue procedural masks available at various stations throughout the College, or if you have a KN95 or N95 mask. Cloth masks are not acceptable.

Students are required to wear a mask at all times except when eating or drinking.

Employees are not required to wear a mask if they are able to maintain a 2-metre distance from colleagues and students in an office, classroom, and library, or when eating in a cafeteria or designated areas.  Masks must be worn at all times when circulating.

The College will continue to provide procedural masks to employees and students.  Procedural masks will be provided at the following locations throughout the campus:

• • • Registrar’s Office 2D.6
    • Academic Advising 2D.4
    • Health Services 2D.2
    • First-Year Students’ Office 2D.0
    • Campus Life and Leadership (CLL) 2E.6
    • Student AccessAbility Centre 2E.8
    • Security 2E.14
    • Dawson Student Union (DSU) 2F.2
    • Library 5C.3
    • PARC 1H.4
    • Creative & Applied Arts 3D.11
    • Social Science & Business Technologies 5D.31
    • Science, Medical Studies and Engineering 6B.19
    • Fees Counter 4B.5
    • Continuing Education and AEC 2G.1 & 2H.1

The safety of our students, faculty and staff are of upmost importance. Since September 2020, an average of 1,500 students, faculty and staff per day have been in person on campus for essential activities without a single report of a person catching COVID-19 while studying and working at Dawson.

Dawson uses a computerized air quality monitoring system which continuously monitors the parameters of the air quality. This includes the airflow, the C02 levels, heating system and temperature fluctuations. The system automatically registers air quality and adjusts air flow according to the number of students in a room and the building. The air is refreshed frequently.

Overall, Dawson’s air ventilation practices are in complete compliance with the Ministry of Education’s recommended guidelines, which were developed based on research from the Ministry of Health and Social Services as well as recently updated guidelines from the Institut Nationale de Santé Publique du Québec.

Students:  contact student services at firstyear@dawsoncollege.qc.ca

Employees: you can come and see Dawson’s Staff Health Nurse in Human Resources (4B.7) with full confidentiality if you need support: COVIDhr@dawsoncollege.qc.ca

You can also access confidential counselling services by contacting the Employee Assistance Program at 1-888-687-9197.

For any urgent mental health emergency on campus, contact security at extension 1500.

Proof of vaccination will not be required to access the College or attend classes.

However, proof of vaccination will be required to participate in athletics, para-academic or extracurricular activities, as well as field outings and stages that take place in locations that are not on campus.

We strongly encourage every student and employee to get fully vaccinated.

We are constant contact with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Public Health and the regional department of public health.  If the pandemic worsens, we have back up plans that would involve returning to some measures we have already put in place throughout the pandemic, such as maximum student presence with physical distancing, or only essential in-person activities being permitted.

“Based on available epidemiological data and studies of environmental transmission factors, surface transmission is not the main route by which SARS-CoV-2 spreads, and the risk is low. The principal mode by which people are infected with SARS-CoV-2 is through exposure to respiratory droplets carrying infectious virus. The risk of transmission can be reduced by wearing masks consistently and correctly, practicing hand hygiene, cleaning, and taking other measures to maintain healthy facilities.” (Source: CDC April 2021)

Any student or employee who is immunocompromised, has family members who are immunocompromised or has other serious health issues that prevent them from working and studying on site should contact the services below. Each situation will be treated on a case-by-case basis.

Students: DawsonHealthServices@dawsoncollege.qc.ca

Employees: Human Resources at covidhr@dawsoncollege.qc.ca

Building on the evidence demonstrating the restorative benefits of nature-related micro-environments, the cafeteria area, Conrod’s, and several other key locations of the college will have trees and large plants installed to create a calming and attractive setting.

We also encourage the use of Dawson’s green spaces and gardens for individual relaxation or teaching opportunities. There is an amphitheater in the courtyard (Atwater side), two covered gazebos with benches and/or tables beside Parking area 1 (between the E & B wings) and dozens of large rocks to sit on in the peace garden. Learn more about our Living Campus and watch for announcements about regular Living Campus tours to review outdoor possibilities.

Visit our new Biking at Dawson web page:
https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/about-dawson/biking-at-dawson

There is no longer a pre-screening questionnaire or in-person check-in at the entrances.  If you are experiencing symptoms, do not come to campus. A COVID-19 Symptom-based Screening Questionnaire is available on the MyDawson Portal (Omnivox) for anyone who is unsure whether they should come on campus.

Cleaning has been increased and is done more frequently in high-traffic public spaces. In labs and workshops, users are asked to clean up their stations before they leave.

If you find a space that needs cleaning, please call 1200 or email buildingmaintenance@dawsoncollege.qc.ca .

No, facilitates are closed during the holiday season.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the return to campus, contact

Employees: covidhr@dawsoncollege.qc.ca

Students: firstyear@dawsoncollege.qc.ca or DawsonHealthServices@dawsoncollege.qc.ca

Masks

• • • Must cover your nose and mouth
    • Handle by the strings only
    • Sanitize hands prior to applying mask
    • Avoid touching the mask
    • Replace if wet or soiled
    • Replace every four hours
    • Throw out after use
    • Sanitize hands immediately after handling

Sanitation

• • • Upon entering and exiting the College and frequently in between, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
    • Use hand sanitizer when you cannot wash your hands
    • Try to keep at least 2 metres away from other people
    • Follow all the health recommendations of the Quebec Government

If a confirmed case or outbreak occurs, we will follow the guidelines and protocols established by the Ministry of Health and Social Services.  The most recent protocols can be found on their website and are updated frequently: https://publications.msss.gouv.qc.ca/msss/document-003067/?&date=DESC&sujet=covid-19&critere=sujet

If you are able to maintain a distance of more than 1 metre then no mask is required. If there is less than a 1-metre distance, a mask is required.

At any time, you can write an e-mail to dawsonhealthservices@dawsoncollege.qc.ca. A member of our Health Services team will help you assess your symptoms and provide guidance.

All courses will be in person as indicated in your Timetable. If the situation changes before the semester begins, you will be informed via Omnivox.

• • • Stay home
    • Call the government’s COVID-19 information line at 514-644-4545 OR complete the Quebec Government Symptom Self-assessment Tool available online and follow the given instructions
    • Fill in Dawson’s COVID-19 screening questionnaire inside Omnivox and a Health Services Nurse will reach out to you
    • Inform your teachers if you must miss class
    • If you develop symptoms while you are at Dawson, go home immediately wearing your procedural mask or if you must wait for a lift to go home, go to the Security desk (2E.14) and they will let you wait in special waiting room until you are able to be picked up.

When a student presents unusual symptoms (for example, symptoms unrelated to their usual cough or allergies) that are persistent or occur repeatedly, the teacher must:

• • • Require the student to leave the premises (class and the college), and e-mail Dawson Health Services or notify them by completing the COVID self-declaration form.
    • Notify Dawson Health Services that the student was told to leave so that a college nurse may ensure that there is appropriate follow-up.

If you cannot attend class due to a COVID-related issue (are sick and/or need to self-isolate at home), your teacher will accommodate you as best they can. You will need to provide proof/documentation that you need to self-isolate and until which date. If it is before September 17, you have the option of dropping your course(s).  If this occurs after September 17 and extends for a period of 3 weeks or more, you can request an authorized absence.

No.  You may only eat or drink in the designated eating areas: the Upper Atrium and in 3C.1. You are also free to eat and drink outdoors. If you need to drink water while in class, you can briefly remove your mask to do so.

The Forum’s air ventilation practices are in complete compliance with the Ministry of Education’s recommended guidelines. Each floor is served by individual rooftop heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units that run 24/7.  These systems are computerized and monitored daily. The air exchange systems have been increased to ensure additional fresh air supply to the classrooms.  In addition, the entire premises are cleaned daily as well as each evening.  Washrooms are cleaned throughout the day and fully once again in the evenings with CSA-approved chemicals.  Disinfectant dispensers are located at all entrances to the building.

Students are required to wear a mask at all times. The only exception is for teachers who do not need to wear a mask if they can keep a 2-metre distance or use a physical barrier.

Yes. If we have fully returned to on-campus activities, it can be envisioned that exams would also take place in person.

Dawson uses a computerized air quality monitoring system which continuously monitors the parameters of the air quality. This includes the airflow, the C02 levels, heating system and temperature fluctuations. The system automatically registers air quality and adjusts air flow according to the number of students in a room and the building. Currently, the entire volume of air is changed at least six times every hour.

Overall, Dawson’s air ventilation practices are in complete compliance with the Ministry of Education’s recommended guidelines, which were developed based on research from the Ministry of Health and Social Services as well as recently updated guidelines from the Institut Nationale de Santé Publique du Québec.

If you have any questions or concerns with regard to COVID-19 and your personal or family situation, please contact the college nurses at DawsonHealthServices@dawsoncollege.qc.ca.

If you have questions about the impact of skipping a semester, please contact student advising: https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/academic-advising/

You can book an appointment at a clinic near your home, work or another convenient location: https://portal3.clicsante.ca