Return to Campus Update: July 27, 2021

To the Cape Breton University Community,

I hope you are enjoying the summer so far, and taking time to rest, recharge, and be with your families and friends. I am writing today to let you know that as of Tuesday, August 3, we will move to Level 4 of the Cape Breton University Return to Campus Plan.

As of now, all indications from Nova Scotia Public Health are that the province will reach its Phase 5 target of 75% fully vaccinated before September. When that happens CBU will transition to Level 5. With that we can anticipate significant easing of public health restrictions. As always, we will align our efforts with both provincial and federal regulations, and take guidance from Nova Scotia’s Chief Officer of Health, Dr. Robert Strang.

Highlights of what Level 4 means for you:

• In addition to the activities in the previous level
• Classes resume in-person following all public health protocols (some online classes continue)
• Student services options for in-person by appointment and some controlled designated drop-in times.
• The public can access campus for designated events or by appointment when in compliance with all Public Health and University health protocols.

Highlights of what Level 5 means for you: 

• Widespread vaccination completed.
• Social distancing and other public health measures no longer required by public health.
• All campus activity, including teaching, resumes in person.

This means that while there may not be any formal restrictions in place at that time, we will still be encouraging you to adopt the use of best health practices such as washing your hands, staying home if you are sick, and wearing a mask. Please note the Return to Campus team is currently preparing for the transition to the September return and will share more specifics in the coming weeks including travel information.

As always, remember to be kind and protect each other by adhering to public health measures. You are now also able to book your vaccine and participate in asymptomatic testing at pop-up sites province-wide and on-campus on Wednesdays. Keeping our students, employees and communities safe and healthy are our top concerns. Regular asymptomatic testing and getting vaccinated are among the best ways to do that.

Thank you for your hard work and perseverance over the last 15 months, and always. We will continue to keep each other safe by working together.

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Tanya Brann-Barrett

Chair, Return to Campus Committee