We need to work together to keep our campus community safe.
We have changed our operations, services, and cleaning practices to make sure that our campus stays healthy. However, this is truly a group effort. Students, staff, and faculty all have to take individual responsibility to follow precautions and protocols.
The Nova Scotia government recommends that students returning to Nova Scotia from out-of-province schedule a COVID-19 test on day 6, 7, or 8 of their mandatory 14-day self-isolation period.
Your COVID-19 test will be done at Acadia, and transport is available if needed. You can learn more by reading the government's fact sheet for post-secondary students (PDF), and book an appointment online.
If a student in residence is awaiting COVID-19 test results (typically available within 48 hours), they will be required to quarantine (self-isolate) within their assigned residence room and only leave to attend a designated washroom for their use only until cleared or recovered. Acadia staff will ensure the student is supported with wellness checks and food provisions. Public Health will work in collaboration with Safety and Security, Acadia’s Occupational Health Nurse, along with the Occupational Health and Safety Department to conduct contact.
Any faculty, staff, or students off-campus awaiting COVID-19 test results are also required to quarantine (self-isolate) away from campus until cleared or recovered. Safety and Security will notify Acadia’s Occupational Health and Safety Nurse of COVID-19 health issues in the campus community.
For more information, visit our Outbreak Plans page.
In case of potential exposure to COVID-19 on campus, contact tracing staff will reach out to individuals who were potentially exposed. Without identifying the source of the potential exposure, nursing staff will inform individuals of the nature of the potential exposure and advise them on appropriate next steps, including staying at home/in their residence room, monitoring for symptoms, and seeking health care if necessary.
Individuals who may have been exposed will receive regular follow-up contact to check their health status and ensure that they have access to testing and any needed medical care. (Public health officials will conduct any contact tracing for individuals who are not Acadia students, faculty, or staff.)
The University will supply cleaning kit materials required to enable students, faculty, and staff to fulfill their responsibilities of keeping themselves and others protected throughout the spaces that they occupy, including personal spaces, desks, lecterns, classroom workspaces, shared copiers, etc.
Yes. Nova Scotia Public Health advises that covering the face can help protect others and reduce the spread of COVID-19. As an added precaution in response to COVID-19, Acadia University has introduced a new mask policy. It requires anyone entering publicly accessible buildings to wear a non-medical mask or face covering. Masks are also recommended in outdoor spaces on campus, where physical distance cannot be maintained.
Exceptions will be made for those individuals for whom wearing a face-covering poses health concerns, or physical challenges. Effective November 10, there is also a mask exemption for several indoor study spaces where physical distancing is possible.
Non-medical masks (NMM) are not required in a single-person office, private residence room, or one of the mask-exempt study spaces. However, face coverings must be worn when it is not possible or predictable to maintain two metres (six feet) of physical distance. Examples include hallways, elevators, classrooms, and restrooms. Masks are also recommended in outdoor spaces on campus, where physical distance cannot be maintained.
Go directly home, and wear a mask and physically distance yourself from others. Do not come to campus: stay home or in your residence room. If you are in residence, stay in your room except to use the washroom.
If you have questions or concerns about COVID-19, please contact Acadia's Occupational Health COVID-19 Nurse, Caroliina Landry, at caroliina.landry@acadiau.ca or 902-698-9221.