Eastern College Implementing Phased Approach to Re-opening Campuses in New Brunswick

As the province of New Brunswick continues to progress through their multi-phase re-opening plan, Eastern College has been actively working on an approach to safely and gradually re-open campuses in the province.

New Brunswick is currently in Phase 2 (Orange) and moving toward Phase 3 (Yellow) of their COVID-19 recovery, for more information on New Brunswick public health measures and guidelines, please visit: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/corporate/promo/covid-19/recovery.html

Similar to the province’s plan, the planned approach to re-open Eastern College’s New Brunswick campuses will occur in four phases. Initial phases will be limited to students who are in programs that need to complete hands-on learning to receive their diploma. Phase 1 will start on June 1^st, 2020.

In-class learning will be limited to students requiring hands-on training, with all other training continuing remotely. Where program deliverables can continue to be met through remote delivery, students will continue with the current remote learning environment. A phased return approach has been carefully crafted, bearing the health and safety of our students and staff in mind and ensuring that the measures in place are in-line with Public Health guidelines.

These measures include:

• Limiting the number of staff, students and clients on campus at any given time
• Restructuring classrooms to allow for physical distancing and where the program requires staff and students to come within 2 meters/6 feet of each other
• Providing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment
• Requiring all staff, students and clients that come to the campus to complete active screening

Additional details about of the phased approach for New Brunswick campuses can be found below:

The following conditions must be maintained through phase 1, 2 and 3. Additional conditions may be identified and/or loosened based on Public Health guidelines.

• Physical distancing of 2 meters, proper hand washing, hand sanitization and surface cleaning will be maintained.
• Cleaning of classrooms including furniture, computer equipment and reusable personal protective equipment (PPE) will be completed at minimum after each class and/or more frequently in accordance with program guidelines.
• Community face masks (facial coverings) will be required when physical distancing cannot be maintained.
• Additional PPE will be required to be worn when physical distancing cannot be maintained and as required for program delivery.
• A defined building entry and exit point will be maintained and limited to one-way foot traffic.
• All reception areas will be designed for physical distancing to be maintained. Congregating in the reception area will not be permitted.
• All student common areas, e.g. student lounge, will be closed. No staff or student will be permitted to use the common areas.
• Staff lounge will be restricted for eating and physical distancing must be maintained.
• All persons attending the facility will be required to complete and participate in active health screening, this includes responding to health screening questions, having temperature taken.

PHASE 1:

• Students returning to campus will be limited to those in a program of study that requires practical hands-on training to get their diploma.
• Students in a program that requires clinic hours to graduate will return to complete their orientation and training on clinic protocols.
• Students returning will be in a staged approach.
• Staff returning to campus will be limited to positions necessary to facilitate student learning.
• Start and end times for programs will be staggered to allow for appropriate physical distancing while on campus.
• There will be different program return dates during phase 1, dependent on the program.

PHASE 2:

• Public clinics and barbershops will begin to reopen for students to be able to complete their required clinical hours. This includes massage therapy clinics and barbershops.
• Students in programs of study that have testing that needs to be completed to get their diploma.
• In addition to staff identified in phase 1, additional staff will be limited to positions necessary to facilitate the running of clinics and facilitate student testing.

PHASE 3:

• Offerings of hybrid learning for programs that will benefit from physical in-class learning to enhance the experience will begin to be offered.
• It is expected that programs will continue with some amount of remote learning through phase 3.
• Programs that do not require to be in-campus to meet program deliverables will continue in remote learning.
• Additional staff, where it is deemed appropriate will be phased to returning to work in-campus.

PHASE 4:

• This phase is post-Covid-19 vaccine being available.
• This will include operating in our ‘new’ and to-be defined normal.
• This phase will include increased health and safety practices. All conditions will be lifted, except for community face masks (facial coverings), which remain required to wear in public when ill.