ABM College response to coronavirus (COVID-19) - Online Classes

Updates from ABM College about coronavirus (COVID-19)

The risk to Albertans of contracting the coronavirus (COVID-19) remains low. This virus is believed to spread mainly by coughing, sneezing or direct contact with someone who is sick with COVID-19 or with surfaces they have recently touched.

Symptoms include

• Fever
• Cough
• Extreme tiredness
• Difficulty breathing

As the risk may increase in the coming days or weeks, we ask any staff member or student who are feeling unwell or have any of the above symptoms to self-isolate for 14 days. Staff and students should notify the College if they are not coming to work or class and if symptoms are present to call Health Link 811.

If any student or staff member has in the 14 days prior to illness onset

• Traveled to anywhere outside of Canada
• Had close contact with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 virus
• Had laboratory exposure to biological material, known to contain COVID-19 virus

These students or staff should self-isolate for 14 days and notify the College and Health Link 811 immediately.

NOTE: A close contact as defined by Alberta Health is: a person who provided care for the individual, including healthcare workers, family members or other caregivers, or who had other similar close physical contact with the person without consistent and appropriate use of personal protective equipment OR who lived with or otherwise had close prolonged contact (within 2 meters) with the person while they are infectious OR had direct contact with infectious bodily fluids of the person (e.g. was coughed or sneezed on) while not wearing recommended personal protective equipment.

Protecting the health and welfare of our students and staff is of utmost importance to ABM College. We have put in place extra cleaning regime with approved cleaning products. Extra hand sanitizing stations have been placed around campus and signage for instruction of proper use as well as hand washing instruction reminders.

Students and staff are reminded of the following preventative measures

• Wash your hands often and for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap.
• Avoid touching your face, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay at home and away from others if you are feeling unwell.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough. If you do not have a tissue you should cough or sneeze into your arm area.
• If you are sick, wearing a mask helps prevent passing the illness on to others.
• If you are healthy, masks are not recommended as they don’t provide full protection and can create a false sense of security.
• Avoid large social or public gatherings. 

*Update: There will be no in-person classes or practicum for students while the province deals with the virus, this is in effect until further notice. You can access your courses online, and continue your education. If you have any questions or need help, please contact us for support. All students will have their student logins for the online learning, for help with this you can contact us during 9 am until 6 pm Monday to Friday. We are here to ensure students have everything they need to graduate for success. 

We have set up systems to maintain the safety of our office and staff, as well as put in place contingency plans should we need to close the office temporarily. All our staff are able to work from home and access all files and logins to do our work effectively. Our goal is to minimize eruption to service for students. Our phone system allows staff to access it from anywhere, so you are always able to contact us at our usual number.